A review by kaitlyncookies
Ultra-Processed People Why We Can't Stop Eating Food That Isn't Food by Chris van Tulleken

informative medium-paced

4.25

I picked up this book after finding it difficult to stop eating some ultra-processed foods that I knew were not supporting my health. It reminded me of the importance of eating real food and demonstrated that I am drawn towards UPF because that is the intention of the makers of these foods, not because I lack "willpower". This book is worth reading to better understand where UPF comes from, and how when it comes to regulation around these foods it is the wild west. I also really appreciated the nuanced opinion of the author. He agrees all UPF is not equally bad, and the amount of UPF typically consumed by people has a lot to do with their economic situation. For a science-y book I found this easy to read & approachable.

If your food is made by a transnational conglomerate owned by large institutional investors, they will prioritize making money over your health, and the best way of making money is to have an addictive product, which you can make using the cheapest possible raw materials. When you are eating UPF, ask yourself who made it and what they were trying to achieve. Is it real food, made to nourish you, or is it an industrially produced edible substance made to turn your health into money for someone else? - Ultra-processed People: Why We Can't Stop Eating Food That Isn't Food