Highly Processed Foods in Binge-Eating Episodes: The Importance of Improving Food Reporting

Abstract

Objective: Over the past 60 years, the proportion of highly processed foods rich in refined carbohydrates and added fats in the food environment has increased, coinciding with a rise in binge eating. While past research has focused on individual vulnerabilities for binge eating, emerging evidence suggests highly processed foods may exacerbate these vulnerabilities. This Research Forum addresses a critical research gap by synthesizing the foods reported in binge-eating episodes across 41 studies and identifying limitations in current food-reporting practices. Method: Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO through February 2025. Eligible studies reported specific foods consumed during binge-eating episodes among human participants. Foods were coded as highly processed based on the presence of refined carbohydrates and/or added fats. Results: All 41 (100%) eligible studies reported at least one highly processed food in binge-eating episodes. Only 31.7% of studies (n = 13) reported minimally processed food consumption in a binge-eating episode. Of the food types reported across all studies (n = 404), 70.3% were classified as highly processed and 14.9% as minimally processed. However, vague food descriptions limited the ability to categorize many foods. The most frequently reported foods were cake, ice cream, cookies, and chocolate. Discussion: Across published studies, highly processed foods were highly prevalent in binge-eating episodes, but interpretations are constrained by vague and incomplete food reporting. We outline recommendations for standardized food-reporting practices to improve the characterization of foods reported in binge-eating occasions to strengthen the clinical relevance of future research.