One size does not fit all: Understanding the five stages of ultra-processed food addiction

Abstract

In recent years, research has demonstrated that ultra-processed foods are highly addictive. However, there has been limited discussion on the clinical syndrome of food addiction, and how exposure to addictive foods can result in a chronic progressive syndrome, which can be further understood in five distinct stages. Understanding these stages sheds light on why diagnosis and successful treatment may vary among individuals and why a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective.