Cravings, Confusion, and Concern: 74 Percent Say Ultra-Processed Foods Are Hurting Their Mental and Physical Health
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
Ultra-processed foods now make up more than 60 percent of the American diet, and new national survey data conducted by Lifesum suggests the effects may extend well beyond physical health. Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults say these foods are negatively impacting their overall wellbeing, with many feeling unsure how to break the cycle.
In a June 2025 survey of 5,000 adults across the United States, 74 percent of respondents reported that ultra-processed foods are affecting both their physical and mental wellness. Nearly half said they believe they are addicted to these foods. While 59 percent have attempted to cut back, most cited barriers such as intense cravings, convenience, and uncertainty about healthier alternatives.
Awareness of the risks is growing, with research linking ultra-processed foods to early death, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline. However, many consumers still struggle to identify which foods fall into this category. Sixty-three percent of survey participants said understanding what qualifies as ultra-processed is more confusing than filing their taxes. Only 11 percent said they feel very confident reading nutrition labels to determine whether a product is ultra-processed.
More than three-quarters of respondents were surprised to learn that common items such as oat milk, protein bars, and plant-based meats are considered ultra-processed.
We are not just dealing with a nutrition crisis. This is a full-blown mental health and societal crisis, said Signe Svanfeldt, a lead nutritionist involved in the survey. People know ultra-processed foods are harming them, but they are overwhelmed, misled by marketing, and left without clear, actionable guidance.
The emotional toll is evident. Forty-five percent of respondents believe their mental health struggles may be related to what they eat. Seventy-four percent said ultra-processed foods negatively affect their mood, energy, ability to focus, or sense of burnout.
There is also strong support for increased transparency in food labeling. Eighty percent of respondents said food manufacturers should be legally required to label ultra-processed foods clearly. Sixty-eight percent support placing health warnings on packaging, and nearly one-third believe ultra-processed foods should be regulated in a manner similar to tobacco.
Parental concern also stood out in the data. Eighty-one percent of respondents said they want their children to mostly or completely avoid ultra-processed foods.
This is not about blame. It is about empowerment, said Svanfeldt. Americans are asking for transparency, education, and tools to help them make better choices without shame or confusion.
As interest in food policy reform and wellness education continues to rise, the findings suggest that consumer expectations are shifting and that more people are seeking clarity about what they eat and how it affects their wellbeing.
