UPFs and our health: finding a balance

By Joe Wicks

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have been getting a lot of attention recently — especially with my new documentary exploring what they are, how they affect our health, and the role they play in our diets.

UPFs are foods that have been heavily processed using industrial methods and ingredients you wouldn't typically use in your kitchen — like emulsifiers, preservatives, flavour enhancers, and certain types of additives. This includes everything from fizzy drinks and packaged snacks to protein bars and ready meals.

But it’s not always black and white. The UPF category includes a huge variety of foods, some of which can be helpful in supporting a healthy lifestyle — especially when it comes to convenience, affordability, and nutrition (like hitting your protein goals, for example).

Our goal has always been to help people build a sustainable, balanced approach to food — one that works in real life. That sometimes includes ingredients technically classed as ultra-processed.

We include a small number of UPFs in the app for practical reasons, such as:

Helping users reach their protein goals more easily

Supporting busy lifestyles with quick, simple options

Reducing food waste and cost through longer-lasting ingredients

You’ll still find the vast majority of meals in the app focus on home-cooked recipes made with whole foods, but we also recognise that flexibility is key to long-term success.

What we're doing next

As public awareness around UPFs continues to grow — and as more research becomes available — we’re reviewing how they’re used across the app. We’re asking questions like:

Can we offer whole food alternatives where possible?

Are there simpler swaps we can make without sacrificing convenience or taste?

How can we help educate and empower users to make informed choices?

We’re not here to tell you to cut out all UPFs — that’s not realistic for most people. But we are committed to learning, evolving, and doing what’s right to support a healthy, balanced diet.