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Reviews tagging 'Addiction'
Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind the Food That Isn't Food by Chris van Tulleken
4 reviews
sandysmith's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.75
Crikey, what a book. Scary and informative, about ultra processed foods (UPF), more chemical creations rather than real food. If it's soft and comes in plastic, it's probably UPF. It is very scientific and at times difficult to read, but at the same time drives its message home hard. Sometimes, the asterisk sections were difficult to follow in that you get to the end of the page, and you need to scan the text to contextualise the comment. That said, it's well worth perservering. It has made me consider the foods we eat as a family, and I'm amazed that we are only in the 10% of the country (the uk) who don't regularly consume ready meals, although we are very partial to a variety of potato based snacks. Food for thought and deliberation. Well worth a read. Scarily a real-life horror story with the impact of the food industry and its dodgy practices, so I'll leave this quote here.... "Most UPF is not food...it's an industrially produced edible substance"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Addiction, and Chronic illness
rworrall78's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
I think I was a bit addicted to this book. I listened at every available opportunity. Well researched, constructed and narrated. Excellent structure and storytelling leavens the the thorough science and economics.
I wasn't surprised by the capitalist nightmare of the prophet motive being more important than any kind of morality, that's familiar from being interested in climate justice. It was eye-opening to see the whole thing in the light of an evolutionary arms race, and brilliant that there was no blame or guilt-tripping. All of the individuals are seen as trapped in the inevitability of the way corporations are designed. They're almost powerless.
The description of structural violence that traps marginalized communities and people living in poverty was spot on.
It became a little repetitive towards the end, but I think the message bears repeating a clarifying because it's quite a complex one.
This could be a life changing book. It's certainly changing my approach to food for me and my family.
I wasn't surprised by the capitalist nightmare of the prophet motive being more important than any kind of morality, that's familiar from being interested in climate justice. It was eye-opening to see the whole thing in the light of an evolutionary arms race, and brilliant that there was no blame or guilt-tripping. All of the individuals are seen as trapped in the inevitability of the way corporations are designed. They're almost powerless.
The description of structural violence that traps marginalized communities and people living in poverty was spot on.
It became a little repetitive towards the end, but I think the message bears repeating a clarifying because it's quite a complex one.
This could be a life changing book. It's certainly changing my approach to food for me and my family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Racism and Colonisation
laurareads_bcn's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
A must read by everyone. We all should be informed of the risks and consequences of ultra-processed food.
So interesting and terrifying to learn how everything is controlled by the food industry.
I also learned about myself, why sometimes I can't stop eating and it made me realize it's not (only) my fault.
So interesting and terrifying to learn how everything is controlled by the food industry.
I also learned about myself, why sometimes I can't stop eating and it made me realize it's not (only) my fault.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Addiction, and Eating disorder
gemmaduds's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
‘Ultra-Processed People’ is an informative, interesting look at the food industry - including marketing & branding of food, food processing, the environment, & the health implications of all of the above. 🍞
Although it sounds like it might be quite preachy - Chris van Tulleken’s goal is not to tell us what we should & shouldn’t eat, but for people to be more informed about what they’re being persuaded to buy and why 🧐
Well researched and explained, this book covers an awful lot of ground and is worth a listen if (like me) you’re a massive foodie 😍 or if you’re into health & dieting, biology, socioeconomics, or reducing overconsumption.
Although it sounds like it might be quite preachy - Chris van Tulleken’s goal is not to tell us what we should & shouldn’t eat, but for people to be more informed about what they’re being persuaded to buy and why 🧐
Well researched and explained, this book covers an awful lot of ground and is worth a listen if (like me) you’re a massive foodie 😍 or if you’re into health & dieting, biology, socioeconomics, or reducing overconsumption.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Cancer
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