How to use it
Build most meals from minimally processed food. Useful processed foods (skyr, protein powder, wholegrain bread, frozen veg) are fine; the harm signal comes from sweets, soft drinks, chips and processed meat. On an ultra-processed diet, people ate faster and ate about 500 kcal a day more. For a growing athlete, this is about eating enough, not restricting.
How sure we are
S Evidence: strong. Large trials or many studies, pointing the same way.
P Evidence: promising. Good studies, but small or few. Use it and keep checking.
Sources
Hall et al. 2019 (inpatient randomised trial) · Lane et al. 2024 (umbrella review, observational).
Not medical, legal or financial advice.