Ultra-Processed People - Why We Can't Stop Eating Food That Isn't Food

A manifesto to change how you eat and how you think about the human body. It’s not you, it’s the food. We have entered a new age of eating. For the first time in human history, most of our calories come from an entirely novel set of substances called Ultra-Processed Food. There’s a long, formal scientific definition, but it can be boiled down to this: if it’s wrapped in plastic and has at least one ingredient that you wouldn’t find in your kitchen, it’s UPF. These products are specifically engineered to behave as addictive substances, driving excess consumption. They are now linked to the leading cause of early death globally and the number one cause of environmental destruction. Yet almost all our staple foods are ultra-processed. UPF is our food culture and for many people it is the only available and affordable food. In this book, Chris van Tulleken, father, scientist, doctor, and award-winning BBC broadcaster, marshals the latest evidence to show how governments, scientists, and doctors have allowed transnational food companies to create a pandemic of diet-related disease. The solutions don’t lie in willpower, personal responsibility, or exercise. You’ll find no diet plan in this book―but join Chris as he undertakes a powerful self-experiment that made headlines around the world: under the supervision of colleagues at University College London he spent a month eating a diet of 80 percent UPF, typical for many children and adults in the United States. While his body became the subject of scientific scrutiny, he spoke to the world’s leading experts from academia, agriculture, and―most important―the food industry itself. But more than teaching him about the experience of the food, the diet switched off Chris’s own addiction to UPF. In a fast-paced and eye-opening narrative he explores the origins, science, and economics of UPF to reveal its catastrophic impact on our bodies and the planet. And he proposes real solutions for doctors, for policy makers, and for all of us who have to eat. A book that won’t only upend the way you shop and eat, Ultra-Processed People will open your eyes to the need for action on a global scale. THE #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NONFICTION • The bestselling and eye-opening investigation into the science, economics, history and impact of ultra-processed food. With a new Afterword by the author. Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR • The Economist • The Times • The New Yorker • Smithsonian • Daily Mail • The Guardian • Financial Times • and more! It's not you, it's the food. How much of our daily caloric intake comes from ingesting substances that, technically speaking, do not meet traditional definitions of “food”? Chances are, if you’re eating something that came wrapped in plastic and contains a funky ingredient you don’t have in your kitchen, it's most likely—almost definitely—ultra-processed food, or UPF. More than the principal obstacle to “eating right,” UPF has been linked to metabolic disease, depression, inflammation, anxiety, and cancer, while the production, distribution, and disposal of UPF and related products globally is known to cause devastating environmental damage. At the same time, UPF represents the dominant, nigh-unavoidable food culture for millions upon millions of eaters. Medical doctor and broadcaster Chris van Tulleken has spent his career trying to reframe the conversation around eating right, balancing the hard (and sometimes shocking) facts about what we're putting into our bodies with empathy for the natural desire to keep eating what we like, have time for, and can afford. As he argues in this book, we are all participants in an experiment we didn't consent to, one to determine how to get us to buy as much ultra-processed food as possible. It’s not as simple as stumbling across the right diet trend, finding time to meal plan, or avoiding over-indulging in sugar, fat, or carbs or any other culprit. Nor is it a matter of individual will. It’s about learning to live in “the third age of eating”—defined by the overwhelming abundance of ultra-processed eating options—and arming yourself with the simple and not-so-simple facts that will help you make the choices that are right for you. The Omnivore's Dilemma Meets Fast Food Nation From A Global Perspective In This Game-changing Look At The Science, Economics, And History Of Ultra-processed Food And The Industry's Effect On Our Health And Planet. It’s Not You, It’s The Food. How Much Of Our Daily Caloric Intake Comes From Ingesting Substances That, Technically Speaking, Do Not Meet Traditional Definitions Of “food”? Chances Are, If You’re Eating Something That Came Wrapped In Plastic And Contains A Funky Ingredient You Don’t Have In Your Kitchen, It's Most Likely—almost Definitely—ultra-processed Food, Or Upf. More Than The Principal Obstacle To “eating Right,” Upf Has Been Linked To Metabolic Disease, Depression, Inflammation, Anxiety, And Cancer, While The Production, Distribution, And Disposal Of Upf And Related Products Globally Is Known To Cause Devastating Environmental Damage. At The Same Time, Upf Represents The Dominant, Nigh-unavoidable Food Culture For Millions Upon Millions Of Eaters. Medical Doctor And Broadcaster Chris Van Tulleken Has Spent His Career Trying To Reframe The Conversation Around Eating Right, Balancing The Hard (and Sometimes Shocking) Facts About What We're Putting Into Our Bodies With Empathy For The Natural Desire To Keep Eating What We Like, Have Time For, And Can Afford. As He Argues In This Book, We Are All Participants In An Experiment We Didn't Consent To, One To Determine How To Get Us To Buy As Much Ultra-processed Food As Possible. It’s Not As Simple As Stumbling Across The Right Diet Trend, Finding Time To Meal Plan, Or Avoiding Over-indulging In Sugar, Fat, Or Carbs Or Any Other Culprit. Nor Is It A Matter Of Individual Will. It’s About Learning To Live In “the Third Age Of Eating”—defined By The Overwhelming Abundance Of Ultra-processed Eating Options—and Arming Yourself With The Simple And Not-so-simple Facts That Will Help You Make The Choices That Are Right For You. "The Omnivore's Dilemma meets Fast Food Nation from a global perspective in this game-changing look at the science, economics, and history of ultra-processed food and the industry's effect on our health and planet. It’s not you, it’s the food. How much of our daily caloric intake comes from ingesting substances that, technically speaking, do not meet traditional definitions of “food”? Chances are, if you’re eating something that came wrapped in plastic and contains a funky ingredient you don’t have in your kitchen, it's most likely--almost definitely--ultra-processed food, or UPF. More than the principal obstacle to “eating right,” UPF has been linked to metabolic disease, depression, inflammation, anxiety, and cancer, while the production, distribution, and disposal of UPF and related products globally is known to cause devastating environmental damage. At the same time, UPF represents the dominant, nigh-unavoidable food culture for millions upon millions of eaters. Medical doctor and broadcaster Chris van Tulleken has spent his career trying to reframe the conversation around eating right, balancing the hard (and sometimes shocking) facts about what we're putting into our bodies with empathy for the natural desire to keep eating what we like, have time for, and can afford. As he argues in this book, it’s not as simple as stumbling across the right diet trend, finding time to meal plan, or avoiding over-indulging in sugar, fat, or carbs or any other culprit. Nor is it a matter of individual will. It’s about learning to live in “the third age of eating”--defined by the overwhelming abundance of ultra-processed eating options--and arming yourself with the simple and not-so-simple facts that will help you make the choices that are right for you."-- Provided by publisher