‘Gateway’ Foods: The Slippery Slope to Unhealthy Teen Eating

Published on September 7, 2022

Just like a mischievous friend who convinces you to try one piece of candy, only to lead you down a path of eating an entire bag, certain ultra-processed foods may act as gateways that tempt teens into consuming more unhealthy fare. A recent study on adolescent eating habits discovered that indulging in candy, prepackaged pastries, and frozen desserts could set off a domino effect, causing increased intake of other unhealthy foods. Imagine you start with one marshmallow, then suddenly you’re surrounded by chocolate bars and cupcakes that you can’t resist! The study revealed that 43% of teens reported eating more ultra-processed foods between 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2022 (post-pandemic), while 57% reported decreasing their consumption. These findings highlight the influence of gateway foods on overall dietary habits and suggest that promoting healthier alternatives could steer teens away from the slippery slope of unhealthy eating. To learn more about this fascinating research and discover the potential solutions it offers, check out the full article!

A study of adolescent eating habits found that certain ultra-processed foods, such as candy, prepackaged pastries and frozen desserts, may act as a ‘gateway’ and lead to increased intake of other unhealthy foods. 43% of the adolescents estimated that they increased their consumption of ultra-processed foods between 2019, before pandemic restrictions were implemented, compared to 2022, after pandemic restrictions were lifted. 57% of adolescents estimated that they decreased their consumption of ultra-processed foods between 2019 and 2022.

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