Ultra-Processed People

Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food...and Why Can’t We Stop?

By: Chris van Tulleken

Narrated by: Chris van Tulleken

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

This audiobook contains exclusive bonus content between Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken, where they deep-dive into what you've just listened to at the end of each part.

An eye-opening investigation into the science, economics, history and production of ultra-processed food.

It's not you, it's the food.

We have entered a new 'age of eating' where most of our calories come from an entirely novel set of substances called Ultra-Processed Food, food which is industrially processed and designed and marketed to be addictive. But do we really know what it's doing to our bodies?

Join Chris in his travels through the world of food science and a UPF diet to discover what's really going on. Find out why exercise and willpower can't save us, and what UPF is really doing to our bodies, our health, our weight, and the planet (hint: nothing good).

For too long we've been told we just need to make different choices, when really we're living in a food environment that makes it nigh-on impossible. So this is a book about our rights. The right to know what we eat and what it does to our bodies and the right to good, affordable food.

©2023 Chris van Tulleken (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

If you only read one diet or nutrition book in your life, make it this one (Bee Wilson)

A devastating, witty and scholarly destruction of the shit food we eat and why (Adam Rutherford)

A wonderful and fascinating expose (Michael Mosley)

A very important read, it being enjoyable is a major plus.

A much needed explanation of UPF, without the judgments and push towards any kind of diet. The author has made the painstaking effort of covering a topic from all aspects (scientific, historic, socio-economic) to allow his readers a good chance at making informed decisions - something that has been taken away from us as consumers for far too long. Thoroughly researched, and delivered in such entertaining manner. I agree that if someone from this era must read only one book about nutrition, this would be it.

Chris, thank you for taking the risks and shedding some light on what the food conglomerates have tried to hide from us for decades. You are a hero for this.

Important, entertaining and i can’t stop talking about it

This book has changed the way I think about food, obesity and the whole economy. It’s time I learnt to cook real food!

Great informative book

This book is loaded with (seemingly, I'm not an expert) good information. You'll be much more knowledgeable about food in general and about food additives, as well as your own body (sense of taste, hormones, microbiome...).
The only downside to this book is that you can feel the author has an axe to grind and it shows in some sections.
If you're like me and don't agree with a deterministic, government-centric view of your life, simply skip the very last part of the book (and sadly similar parts sprinkled all over, but they are bearable).
Otherwise this is a 5/5 for me.

Listen, and eat whole foods

The idea that food has to be fast end easy to eat is made up by the fast-food industry. Ultra processed food is the result of industry making the largest amount of profits by selling the least amount of real food. This book exposes the truth on ultra processed food. Highly recommend!

Excellent eye opening book

Unsure if I’ll ever browse the aisles at a supermarket the same. A very interesting and well put together book

It's one of those books I feel that everyone should read.

Informative, humorous and engaging. I listened to the whole thing in a weekend. Highly recommended.

Informative but I disagree on some points

Great info on UPFs. I disagree on saying traditional food is always healthy. Dairy is generally NutriScore D or E. Sure, low fat yogurt is nutri score A but most dairy is "natural" and traditional but terrible for health.

I agree that margarine is bad but so is butter.

Ignoring the saturated fat and dairy issues I think the book is a great expose on ultra processed foods and made me rethink my choices even if my diet is mostly healthy food.

A journey through time and space with ultra-processed food as your best frenemy.

This book was captivating from go to whoa. It has the most genuine and involved acknowledgements section I’ve ever known. The audio on the podcast sections could have been better, but didn’t ruin the experience.
Read it if you’re addicted to junk food, or if you love someone who is.

A must listen!!

Incredibly compelling scientific evidence about the food industry and the crap they are putting into food. I’ve completely changed the way I eat and have cut out as much UPF as I can