Toddlers in the UK get almost half of their calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs), according to a new study. Researchers also found that 7-year-olds get 59% of their calories from UPFs. UPFs include things like ice cream and cookies, but also ham, sausages, flavored yogurts, breakfast cereals and some breads. Eating too much of these types of food has been linked to an increased risk of a number of different health conditions, including obesity, diabetes and heart problems. The study looked at food diaries completed by the parents of more than 2,500 children aged 21 months, and 600 children aged 7. The most common UPFs that toddlers ate were flavored yogurts and whole-grain breakfast cereals. Although these are seen as quite healthy choices, they are still ultra-processed. They're usually industrially produced and contain ingredients that most people wouldn't have in their kitchens, like emulsifiers. The researchers said children who eat more UPFs as toddlers are more likely to eat a lot of them as they get older, so choosing the right foods for young children is important. Previous research has found that teenagers in the UK may get more than 60% of their calories from UPFs. However, the study's lead author, Rana Conway, said it's not only parents that are to blame. She said these foods "are often cheaper than the foods parents would like to give their children, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. "Also, despite labels suggesting they're a healthy choice, ultra-processed foods marketed for children often contain too much sugar and salt. This makes it harder for parents to make healthy choices." Studies done in the US have found similar problems with the diets of children there.