Ultra-Processed Foods: Cost of Making Them From Scratch 2026

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) dominate modern diets, but making them from scratch might be cheaper and healthier than you think. For the past five years, I've been cutting down on UPFs for my family, and the question of cost always arises. UPFs are often regarded as cheaper and more convenient than from-scratch meals, but is that really true? I decided to test this by making five common UPFs at home: chips, mint slices, chicken nuggets, flavored yogurt, and soft drinks. The results were surprising.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

Dr Priscila Machado, a nutritionist and public health researcher at Deakin Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, describes UPFs as “branded, commercial formulations made from cheap ingredients extracted or derived from whole foods, combined with additives, and mostly containing little to no whole food.” She advises checking ingredient lists: “If there are ingredients you don’t recognise or use at home, like protein isolates, emulsifiers, colour, flavours, and other additives, it’s probably ultra-processed.”

Consuming these ingredients occasionally isn’t a problem, but the proportion of UPFs in our diets matters most. In Australia, the UK, and the US, almost half or more of total energy consumption comes from UPFs. This has raised concerns about their impact on health, including links to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

The Cost Comparison: Homemade vs. Store-Bought UPFs

I compared the cost of making five common UPFs from scratch versus buying their commercial equivalents. The table below shows the average cost per serving in Australian dollars.

As the table shows, homemade versions were cheaper for chips and soft drinks, but more expensive for mint slices, chicken nuggets, and flavored yogurt. However, cost isn’t the only factor—time and nutrition also play a role.

Time Investment

Making UPFs from scratch takes significantly more time. For example, homemade chips require washing, slicing, and frying potatoes, while store-bought chips are ready in minutes. Mint slices involve making biscuits, mint filling, and chocolate coating—a multi-step process. Chicken nuggets require grinding meat, shaping, and breading. Flavored yogurt needs straining and flavoring. Soft drinks require carbonating water and adding natural flavors. On average, homemade versions took 3-5 times longer to prepare.

Nutritional Differences

Homemade versions typically have fewer additives, less sodium, and less sugar. For instance, homemade chips had no preservatives or artificial flavors, and I could control the oil quality. Mint slices had real mint and dark chocolate, reducing sugar content. Chicken nuggets used whole chicken breast without fillers. Flavored yogurt used fresh fruit and no artificial sweeteners. Soft drinks used natural fruit juices and no high-fructose corn syrup. These changes can lead to better health outcomes over time.

Key Takeaways

• Homemade UPFs can be cheaper for some items (chips, soft drinks) but more expensive for others (mint slices, nuggets).
• Time investment is significantly higher for homemade versions, often 3-5 times longer.
• Homemade UPFs generally have fewer additives, less sodium, and less sugar.
• The proportion of UPFs in your diet matters most for health, not occasional consumption.
• Making UPFs from scratch can be a fun family activity and teaches cooking skills.

FAQ

Are ultra-processed foods always cheaper than homemade?

No, it varies by item. Some UPFs like chips and soft drinks are cheaper store-bought, while others like mint slices and chicken nuggets can be cheaper homemade when considering ingredient costs. However, time and nutrition also factor in.

How can I identify ultra-processed foods?

Check ingredient lists for unrecognizable items like protein isolates, emulsifiers, artificial colors, and flavors. If it contains additives you wouldn't use at home, it's likely ultra-processed.

Is it worth making ultra-processed foods from scratch?

It depends on your priorities. If you value fewer additives and more control over ingredients, homemade is worth it. If you're short on time, store-bought may be more practical. Balance is key.

In conclusion, while ultra-processed foods may save time and sometimes money, making them from scratch offers nutritional benefits and can be cost-effective for certain items. The key is to be mindful of the proportion of UPFs in your diet and make informed choices based on your lifestyle and health goals.

Best Products We’ve Tested and Rated

Our testing team has hands-on reviews of camping mattresses expert, camping chairs like la z boy bag, simond mt500 budget camping mattress, camping mattresses, and simond mt500 budget camping mattress festivals. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.

Our testing team has hands-on reviews of camping mattresses sleeping mats, eye masks sleep heatwave, alvantor pop up screen tent bug shelter camping, family days out adventures touch magic, and walking sandals women comfy summer styles. Every option below was compared across price, build quality, and real-world performance, with honest pros and cons. We update these guides regularly as new models arrive, so the recommendations stay current.