Beyond Burgers and Fries: What is the most eaten thing in America? A Nutrition Diet Analysis

October 4, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2025 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, over half of Americans' calories come from ultra-processed foods. This research reframes the complex answer to the question, "What is the most eaten thing in America?" shifting the focus from individual items to entire categories of modern convenience foods within a nutrition diet context.

Quick Summary

The most eaten thing in America is not a single food item but a category of ultra-processed foods. Recent data shows these foods, particularly grain-based desserts and breads, account for the largest share of calories, posing significant health concerns and impacting overall dietary quality.

Key Points

It's a Category, Not a Single Item: Ultra-processed foods, especially grain-based desserts and yeast breads, are the top source of calories in the American diet, not a single dish.
Over Half of Calories from UPFs: Recent CDC data (2025) confirms that over 55% of American caloric intake comes from ultra-processed foods (UPFs), with an even higher percentage among youth.
Significant Health Risks: High consumption of UPFs, which are often high in sugar, fat, and sodium and low in fiber, is linked to increased risks of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Chicken Is a Top Protein by Weight: By volume, chicken is one of the most consumed animal proteins, with the average American consuming over 100 pounds annually.
Beverages Add Empty Calories: Sugary drinks like soda, energy drinks, and alcoholic beverages contribute a significant amount of empty calories to the American diet.
Focus on Whole Foods: Shifting dietary focus away from ultra-processed items and towards nutrient-dense, whole foods is the primary recommendation for improving nutrition and health.

The Caloric Contenders: A Data-Driven Perspective

When people imagine what is the most eaten thing in America, they often think of staples like hamburgers, hot dogs, or pizza. While those dishes are immensely popular, a different picture emerges when analyzing consumption by caloric intake. A seminal study, analyzed by Harvard Health, revealed the top sources of calories in the U.S. diet, painting a clearer picture of widespread eating habits. This list included:

Grain-based desserts (cakes, cookies, donuts, pies)
Yeast breads
Chicken and chicken-mixed dishes
Soda, energy drinks, and sports drinks
Pizza
Alcoholic beverages
Pasta and pasta dishes
Mexican mixed dishes
Beef and beef-mixed dishes
Dairy desserts

These are not necessarily the most favored foods, but the ones most consistently consumed in high enough quantities to dominate the American diet. A 2019 analysis further highlighted how commercial versions of these items, like commercial grain-based desserts and sugary beverages, are major contributors to the nation's calorie and added sugar intake.

Ultra-Processed Foods: The Modern Staple

The most impactful revelation comes from a recent CDC report indicating that over 55% of all calories consumed by Americans come from ultra-processed foods (UPFs). This is particularly concerning for children, where that number rises to almost 62%. UPFs are defined as industrial formulations made mostly from refined ingredients (oils, fats, sugars, starches) and additives, with little to no whole food content. They are specifically engineered to be hyper-palatable, convenient, and have a long shelf-life.

Common examples of UPFs include many items on the Harvard list, such as sugary breakfast cereals, packaged bakery products, frozen meals, reconstituted meat products like hot dogs and nuggets, and, of course, sugary soft drinks. This reliance on highly processed options, rather than a single specific dish, defines the modern American diet more accurately.

The Nutritional Downside of Convenience

The high consumption of UPFs has been directly linked to numerous adverse health outcomes. Studies show that diets heavy in these foods are associated with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental health issues. The issue lies in their nutritional profile: they are typically high in calories, sodium, added sugars, and unhealthy fats, while being low in fiber and essential nutrients.

The convenience and low cost of many UPFs make them particularly prevalent among low-income adults, further exacerbating health disparities. While not all processed foods are unhealthy (e.g., pre-cut vegetables), the nutritional void and additive-laden nature of ultra-processed varieties contribute significantly to public health crises.

Shifting the Nutrition Diet Paradigm

Moving towards a healthier eating pattern requires a fundamental shift away from the reliance on ultra-processed foods. This doesn't mean eliminating all convenience but rather re-prioritizing whole and minimally processed options.

Here are some strategies for improving your diet:

Prioritize whole foods: Focus on fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains.
Read nutrition labels: Become familiar with ingredient lists and look for recognizable, whole food ingredients.
Prioritize protein and fiber: Foods rich in protein and fiber, like chicken or whole grains, can increase satiety and improve overall diet quality.
Limit sugary beverages: Opt for water, unsweetened tea, or coffee instead of sodas and energy drinks, which are major sources of added sugar and calories.
Cook at home: Preparing meals from scratch gives you full control over ingredients and minimizes UPF intake. Cookbooks and online resources can help with this transition.

Comparison Table: Ultra-Processed vs. Whole Foods


Aspect	Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs)	Whole Foods
Processing	Extensive industrial processing with additives	Minimal or no processing
Nutrient Density	Low in essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber	High, providing a wide array of nutrients
Additives	High in artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners	Free of artificial additives
Ingredients	Often unrecognizable, industrial formulations	Recognizable, natural ingredients
Energy Density	High in calories, easy to overconsume	Balanced calorie content, promotes satiety
Health Impact	Associated with increased risk of chronic diseases	Supports overall health and wellness

Conclusion

While a single dish like pizza or a burger might seem like a plausible answer, the truth behind what is the most eaten thing in America? points to a much broader issue of dietary habits dominated by ultra-processed foods. From grain-based desserts to sugary drinks and convenience meals, these industrial formulations contribute the most calories to the average American's diet. Understanding this is the first step toward making more informed and healthier food choices. By prioritizing whole foods, reading labels, and being mindful of intake, it's possible to reverse this trend and foster a more nourishing nutrition diet for all. For more information, consult reliable health resources like the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations containing little to no whole food, made mostly from refined ingredients and additives like flavors, colors, emulsifiers, and preservatives. Examples include packaged snacks, sugary cereals, and frozen ready meals.

Factors include their affordability, convenience, long shelf life, and the fact that they are often specifically engineered to be hyper-palatable and even addictive. Aggressive marketing and socioeconomic factors also play a role.

No. There is a distinction between minimally processed and ultra-processed foods. Some processed foods, like whole-wheat bread or frozen fruits, can be part of a healthy diet, while ultra-processed options are the main concern due to their poor nutritional profile.

Healthier alternatives include making homemade versions of meals like pizza or chicken nuggets, choosing plain yogurt over sweetened versions, and opting for whole grains and fresh produce.

Strategies include reading ingredient lists to identify UPFs, prioritizing whole food ingredients at the grocery store, cooking meals from scratch more often, and being mindful of your intake of sugary beverages and snacks.

Yes, unsweetened coffee is generally a healthier option than sugary soda or energy drinks, which are major sources of empty calories. However, excessive sugar and cream added to coffee can negate its benefits.

Whole foods are typically high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, while ultra-processed foods are often high in added sugar, unhealthy fats, and sodium, and low in essential nutrients. The processing methods also affect how our bodies absorb and utilize calories.