Close to half of what Australians eat is "ultra-processed", and it is leading to diets which are high in sugar, fat and salt. According to analysis conducted by researchers at the University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, UNSW, and Brazil’s University of Sao Paolo, 42 per cent of the average Australian’s energy intake comes from what the NOVA method of food classification terms "ultra-processed food". Nearly half the Australian diet is ‘ultra-processed’ foodCredit:Stocksy The new research, published in BMJ Open on Thursday, used data from 12,513 Australians over the age of two recorded by the 2012 ABS National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. NOVA defines ultra-processed food as food containing several ingredients, including "food substances not used in culinary preparations" (particularly flavours, colours, sweeteners, emulsifiers and other additives), usually prepared using methods that could not be replicated in a home kitchen. Examples include: packaged snacks such as chips and […]