General Health

Low carbohydrate and psychoeducational programs show promise for the treatment of ultra-processed food addiction: 12-month follow-up

This study is a 12-month follow-up to the 2022 intervention by Unwin et al., examining the long-term effects of an online, low-carbohydrate “real food” program combined with psychoeducation and social support for individuals self-identifying with ultra-processed food addiction (UPFA). The intervention was delivered across three locations (UK, North America, and Sweden) and included 10–14 weeks of weekly sessions followed by monthly support groups. Participants followed an abstinent, individualized low-carbohydrate food plan and engaged in education and reflection focused on addiction recovery. Outcomes were measured using the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0), the CRAVED scale (based on ICD-10), and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS).

Key Findings:

• Significant reductions in food addiction symptoms were observed at 6 and 12 months across all sites (mYFAS 2.0 and CRAVED, p < 0.005).
• Participants shifted from predominantly “severe” to “no food addiction” categories by 12 months (p < 0.001).
• Mental well-being improved significantly across all locations at 12 months (p < 0.002), approaching or exceeding population norms.
• BMI reductions were significant in the UK (p = 0.031) and North America (p = 0.007), although weight loss was not a treatment focus.
• Participants remained highly engaged, with many forming additional peer-led support groups outside the formal program.

These findings suggest that a structured low-carbohydrate intervention with psychoeducational support may offer sustained benefits for individuals with UPFA. Further controlled studies are warranted to confirm these promising results.