Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Health & Fitness
Why do we all eat stuff that isn’t food and why can’t we stop? In this episode, Dr Chris van Tulleken, author of Ultra-Processed People explains all. As well as being one of the UK’s leading science broadcasters, Chris is a practising infectious diseases doctor in the NHS. He gained his medical degree at Oxford University and his PhD in molecular virology from University College London, where he is an associate professor. He works closely with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, and his research looks at how corporations affect human health.
In this episode, Chris explores what may be the biggest public health crisis of our time: ultra-processed food, or UPF, for short. Many people these days, certainly most regular listeners to this podcast, will be aware of UPFs. But there’s still a lot of confusion around what they really are. For Chris, it’s simple: if it’s wrapped in plastic and has at least one ingredient you wouldn’t find in a home kitchen, it’s a UPF. If it makes a health claim on the packet? Ironically, it’s even more likely!
A UPF is any food that’s processed industrially and created for big-business profit, rather than to provide nutrients. And here in the UK, UPF makes up 60 percent of the average diet. The trouble is, says Chris, UPFs have been shown to be the leading cause of early death in the world, ahead of tobacco. Even if you remain at what is considered a healthy weight, consuming UPFs still leaves you vulnerable to things like Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, dementia, anxiety, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer and eating disorders.
In this conversation, Chris provides a clear definition of the difference between processing and ultra-processing, and explains how our toxic food environment is designed to be addictive. We also discuss a whole range of different topics such as the need to see obesity as a condition and not an identity and the seemingly revolutionary idea that re-prioritising food shopping and cooking as a vital, enjoyable part of our day, could be a first step towards the societal change that’s urgently needed.
This podcast episode is not about shame or blame - it’s about education and empowerment. Chris is a brilliant communicator who insists the prevalence and appeal of UPFs is not our fault. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with him - I hope you enjoy listening.
Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.
Find out more about my NEW Journal here https://drchatterjee.com/journal
Thanks to our sponsors:
https://zoe.com
https://calm.com/livemore
https://drinkag1.com/livemore
Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/414
DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
#343 BITESIZE | Use This Powerful Tool to Reduce Stress and Anxiety | Dr Ethan Kross
#342 Fasting, Hormones & Menopause: Why Women Need A Different Approach To Men with Dr Mindy Pelz
#341 BITESIZE | How to Train Your Attention and Improve Your Life | Dr Amishi Jha
#340 The New Science of Awe & How It Improves Your Physical & Mental Wellbeing with Dr Dacher Keltner
#339 BITESIZE | How to Live Your Best Life | Jake Humphrey
#338 The Secrets To Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life with Dr Mark Hyman
#337 BITESIZE | Reduce Stress and Anxiety With This Breathing Practice | James Nestor
#336 How Trauma Impacts Your Physical Health & How To Heal From It with Dr Bessel van der Kolk
#335 BITESIZE | The Simple Habit That Can Transform Your Life | Rich Roll
#334 Jay Shetty on Relationships, Routines & Finding Purpose
#333 BITESIZE | The Benefits of Fasting for Weight Loss, Health and Longevity | Dr Pradip Jamnadas
#332 7 Ways We Self-Sabotage and How To Stop with Dr Ramani Durvasula
#331 BITESIZE | How to Find Your Happy Place | Fearne Cotton
#330 The Best Foods To Nourish Your Brain with Max Lugavere
#329 7 Early Signs of Burnout and 10 Simple & Practical Tools To Help with Dr Rangan Chatterjee
#328 BITESIZE | Do This Every Morning to Boost Your Energy and Improve Your Sleep | Dr. Andrew Huberman
#327 Rick Rubin On Creativity, Authenticity & Living A Meaningful Life
#326 BITESIZE | Eat These Foods to Improve Your Gut Health | Professor Tim Spector
#325 How Exercise Changes Your Brain & Why Anxiety Is Your Superpower with Dr Wendy Suzuki
#324 How to Transform Your Health in Eight Weeks with Dr Ayan Panja
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Doctor’s Kitchen Podcast
The Doctor’s Farmacy with Mark Hyman, M.D.
The School of Greatness
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
The High Performance Podcast