The average American gets more than half of their calories from ultra-processed foods, according to a new federal report. That's not surprising—ultra-processed foods are everywhere, and includes many of our cheapest grocery options. That's why it's concerning that ultra-processed foods have been linked to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, mental health disorders, and everyone's favorite, all-cause mortality.

But what counts as ultra-processed food? Let's dig in, and maybe question a few assumptions along the way.

The new study, from the Centers for Disease Control, found that the most common source of ultra-processed food for adults was "sandwiches," followed by sweet bakery products, sweetened beverages, savory snacks, and "bread, rolls, and tortillas." Fo

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