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Highly processed foods in binge-eating episodes: The importance of improving food reporting
The increasing consumption of highly processed foods, characterized by refined carbohydrates and added fats, raises questions about their potential role in binge eating behaviors. Over the last six decades, as these food types have become more prevalent in our diet, incidents of binge eating have also escalated. Previous studies have typically explored individual risk factors for binge eating, yet recent evidence indicates that the characteristics of these foods may further amplify these vulnerabilities.
This research forum addresses a significant gap by synthesizing findings from 41 studies that identified the specific foods involved in binge-eating episodes. A systematic review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO, with a cutoff date of February 2025. Only studies that listed specific foods consumed during binge episodes in human participants were included. Foods were analyzed and coded by processing level, with a focus on the presence of refined carbohydrates and/or added fats.
All 41 studies included in this analysis documented at least one highly processed food during binge-eating events. In contrast, only 31.7% of these studies (n = 13) reported consumption of minimally processed foods. Of the 404 food types reported across these studies, a striking 70.3% were categorized as highly processed, while only 14.9% were minimally processed. However, it is notable that vague descriptions of food items often hinder accurate classification. The most commonly cited foods included cake, ice cream, cookies, and chocolate.
The findings underscore the prevalence of highly processed foods in binge-eating episodes, yet the interpretations of these results are limited by the lack of clear, comprehensive food reporting. Recommendations are provided to establish standardized food-reporting practices to enhance the characterization of foods consumed during binge episodes. This improvement could significantly bolster the clinical relevance of future research in this area. [NPID: Ultra-processed foods, binge-eating, reporting]
Year: 2026
