Story perspectives

Unprocessed Diet Boosts Veggie Intake, Cuts Calories

1/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that an unprocessed diet raises fruit and vegetable intake and lowers daily calories.
Participants on the unprocessed diet consumed over 50% more food by mass but averaged 330 fewer calories per day than those on ultra-processed diets.
Researchers say the body has "nutritional intelligence" that favors micronutrient-rich foods and that ultra-processed diets are linked to obesity and other diseases.

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Story summary

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that an unprocessed diet raises fruit and vegetable intake and lowers daily calories.
Participants on the unprocessed diet consumed over 50% more food by mass but averaged 330 fewer calories per day than those on ultra-processed diets.
Researchers say the body has "nutritional intelligence" that favors micronutrient-rich foods and that ultra-processed diets are linked to obesity and other diseases.