Ultra-Processed People

Why We Can't Stop Eating Food That Isn't Food

By: Chris van Tulleken

Narrated by: Chris van Tulleken, Xand van Tulleken

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.

Great Read /reveals the truth

Yes, most of us know a lot of what he talks about. But seeing it put all together and reaffirming the motivations of big food, producers was interesting. It definitely makes me rethink my food choices. There were some production issues in the book that other people have mentioned regarding the interviews with the author’s brother that were hard to understand and not recorded very well. But other than that it’s a great book. I think the people that left negative reviews Are just upset that he is attacking the way they probably eat.

What we all need to know about the food around us.

Chris and Xand tell a compelling story many of us can likely relate to. I wish we were all better educated about industrial food additives. I think there would be a lot less of them in use if we were.

Very believable

Every thing that you have written about this subject matter makes sense to me, being someone who, if I must place a % on it I eat about 1% of bad food every several months two to three times per year. My weakness are potatoes chips and a chocolate candy bar with a kombucha or other so-called healthy drink. From your book I learned some of the more technical makeup of the ingredients in processed/ultra-processed food that I was not already acquainted with. Thank you for the lessons.

Just Wow!

This book is what I have been searching for! I always knew processed food was horrible for you. Now I understand all the reasons why. He breaks it down and explains it to where people can understand. Just amazing!

Incredibly good

Wonderfully written and narrated. Gripping subject illustrated vividly by the recorded interviews and personal stories and backed up by science explained in a way we can all understand. I am actually going to read this again immediately so I can absorb and retain more of the detail. If you are at all interested in healthy eating this is a book you must read.