Ultraprocessed American Fare: A Comparative Study

Nov 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM
So much for the assumption that American food is on par with its international counterparts. The quality and composition of ultraprocessed American fare, particularly beloved items like Big Macs and baked beans, are now under intense scrutiny. This comes as President-elect Donald Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, sparking a reevaluation of food safety and ingredient standards.

Uncovering the Truth Behind American and UK Food

Baked Beans: A Tale of Two Varieties

A 100-gram serving of Bush’s Original Baked Beans presents a stark contrast to Heinz baked beans from the UK. Bush’s beans come in a bacon and brown sugar mixture, while Heinz beans are in tomato sauce. The former has about three dozen more calories, twice as many carbs, sodium, and sugar, and almost four times as much fat. This shows how different processing methods and ingredient choices can lead to significant nutritional differences.Even within the category of baked beans, these variations highlight the need for consumers to be aware of what they are consuming. It’s not just about taste but also about the impact on our health.

Tomato Sauce: Similarities and Differences

Ragu Old World Style Traditional Sauce in the US and Dolmio Original Sauce for Bolognese in the UK share some common ingredients like tomatoes, salt, sugar, onions, garlic, and other spices. However, the American sauce has more calories, fat, carbs, and sugar for the same serving size. On the other hand, the Ragu sauce has just over half as much sodium as the Dolmio sauce.This comparison emphasizes the importance of reading labels and understanding the nuances of different food products. Small differences in ingredients can add up to significant variations in nutritional content.

McDonald’s Big Mac: Not the Same on Both Sides of the Pond

All Big Macs are not created equal. The US version contains more calories, fat, carbs, and sugar than the UK version, which has more salt and protein. Although the ingredients are similar, such as the sesame seed bun, two all-beef patties, shredded lettuce, Big Mac sauce, cheese, pickle slices, and onions, the pickles in the US version contain the emulsifier polysorbate 80. This may contribute to gut inflammation and increase the risk of Crohn’s disease.This disparity shows how even seemingly identical products can have hidden differences that affect our health. It serves as a reminder to be cautious when choosing fast food and to consider the long-term consequences.

Pret A Manger’s Egg Salad Sandwich: A Size and Nutritional Dilemma

Pret’s Egg Salad & Arugula Sandwich in the US has more calories, twice as much fat, slightly more carbs, nearly twice as much sugar, and far less fiber than the Pret Free-Range Egg Mayo in the UK. A Pret spokesperson notes that the US version is about 25% larger. However, the UK edition has much more salt.This comparison highlights the importance of portion sizes and the impact of different ingredient sources. It also shows how even within the same brand, there can be significant variations based on geographical differences.

Skippy Peanut Butter: A Favorable Comparison

It’s not all bad news for American food. Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter in the US has less sugar and salt and slightly fewer calories than Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter in the UK. However, it has more fat and carbs. The major difference is that the US version contains soybean oil, which has been shown to have certain health benefits but can also lead to obesity and diabetes if consumed in large amounts.This comparison provides some hope that not all American food is lacking. It shows that there are areas where American products can hold their own or even have an advantage.These comparisons reveal the complex world of ultraprocessed foods and the need for consumers to be informed. By understanding the differences between American and UK food products, we can make more informed choices about what we eat and take better care of our health.