1. What the Report Found

The CDC’s latest numbers, drawn from diet surveys between August 2021 and August 2023, show Americans of all ages get about 55% of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods — those foods packed with sugars, salts, unhealthy fats, and industrial ingredients.

Kids and teens are even more reliant: nearly 62 percent of their calories come from ultra-processed sources, compared to around 53 percent for adults.

2. Who’s Eating What

These calorie cravers are everywhere. Leading the pack: burgers and sandwiches, sweet baked goods, savory snacks, pizza, and sugary beverages, common culprits for both youth and adults.

On closer look, very young children (ages 1 to 5) consume a bit less, around 56%, while older kids reach around 65 percent. Among adults, the trend shifts slightly with age: those aged 19 to 39 take in approximately 54 percent, ages 40 to 59 drop to 53 percent, and adults 60 and older get about 52 percent of their calories from ultra-processed foods.

Income makes a difference too. Adults in higher-income households consume a bit less from ultra-processed foods (about 50%) compared to those in lower-income groups, where the total hovers closer to 55 percent.

3. A Slight Step Backward for the Better

The interesting twist. The diet is changing slowly. Across the last decade, adults saw a decline from 56 percent (2013–14) to 53 percent (2021–23), and kids dropped from nearly 66% (2017–18) to 62%.

Experts suggest growing awareness might be nudging people toward less processed choices. Anne Williams from the CDC calls the overall intake “not surprising,” but that downward shift was “a bit unexpected.” Nutrition researcher Andrea Deierlein reminds us people are trying, at least in some groups, to eat more whole foods.

4. Why It Matters

Ultra-processed foods aren’t just empty calories. They’re linked to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and even early death. A recent trial in Nature even found people lost twice as much weight on minimally processed diets versus ultra-processed, despite equal nutrition labels.

Beyond that, defining what counts as “ultra-processed” is tricky. The CDC uses the NOVA system, but U.S. health officials say current definitions may miss the mark. Agencies including FDA and USDA are now seeking a more precise definition.

5. What This Really Means

This report reminds us there is a real wake-up call in what ends up on our plates. Even though ultra-processed foods dominate, that slow decline hints people can change course.

If you want to shift gears yourself, small swaps make a difference: switch from sugary instant oatmeal to plain oats sweetened naturally, read labels more carefully, and reach for whole, real foods when you can.