Are ultra-processed foods that bad for us? | BBC Maestro

Hear from Professor Tim Spector, as he dives into the realm of ultra-processed foods – explaining what they are and their negative impacts on our long-term health.

Timestamps:
00:00 - What are ultra-processed foods?
02:37 - Addiction & weight gain
04:27 - Guar gum
05:41 - Ultra-processed breads
07:14 - Understanding labels & packaging
10:03 - Health Risks & effects

Find out more:

Learn more:

[davideseganti]

Don't put too much trust in labels: there are many things the industries can put in their recipes that the law allows them not to declare.

[denitsapetrova]

I am Integrative nutrition Health coach working for Public Health and I do educated my clients all about food and how we become victims of the ingredients used in this manufactured “foods”/ ultra processed. Some people saw me as conspiracy theories but now I am not alone 🎉. Thank you for this video, I will definitely use it my practice.

[infinite.possibilities]

Eye opening. Shocked nothing was done before. cost to NHS is billions. why aren't laws in place to protect our health?!

[Brenda-rmwp]

I think this was a very good video. I studied food science and what he is saying is not putting down companies for what they sell he is educating people on what actually goes on and how the food is made. Isn’t it better to be educated from both sides as in the damage the chemicals do to us etc so that people can then make their own decision on what they decide to eat. I agree with trying to eat healthy on a budget as I am in the same situation there but when you do eat fresh food you find that you are full for longer and the cravings go so you eat less. Therefore it balances out the cost. It’s all about balance in life.

[smartguy]

I used to eat lots of this ultra processed food up to 4 years ago, I was over weight, depressed, stressed, had low self esteem, eczema and the food was easy assessable relatively cheap and gave me a temporary high. Then 1 day I said enough was enough and went total cold turkey and changed my diet completely, 1st 3 weeks were awful with sugar and fat cravings so I started to go running. I now don't eat any ultra processed food and my life is 1000 times better, complete transformation. Just remember that UPF is made for profit and not for your benefit.

[AndrewPawley]

Tim Spector is both an outstanding academic and science communicator. I hope the world listens to what he says.

[isatousarr]

Ultra-processed foods can be convenient but often lack essential nutrients and are loaded with unhealthy additives. Moderation is key, but focusing on whole, natural foods is the best way to support long-term health. 🍏🥦 #HealthyEating #FoodForThought

[c-tech_]

I started Nutrisystem four months ago to help jumpstart my calorie control while transitioning to healthier eating. For the past two months, I've been eating mostly whole foods, plant-based, with very minimal ultra-processed foods. Now, whenever I eat cereal or anything with added sugar or highly processed ingredients, I feel horrible afterward. I feel tired, my mood dips, and overall, I feel unwell. I never noticed this before when I ate poorly every day. It's amazing how you become more in tune with your body. Your videos are a great source of nutrition information and have been very helpful!

[badbwoyrebelMC]

One thing that I haven't heard being discussed at the same time as the UPF is the packet size. I've found when you have a big bag of crisps let's say compared to individual packets is it's really hard not to stop. When you look at the label it will say how many serving sizes there are but given how addictive these foods are I think package size is also part of the problem with obesity

[galaxianx]

I had been seriously overweight pretty much my adult life. In all honesty, i never really consumed cereals and juices. I only ate sweets every now and again. I could never lose any serious weight.
About 2 years ago, i made the decision to give up bread. It was pretty much the only UPF i ate regularly. Id say 4-6 slices a day. Not really that much i think most people would say over the whole day.
It was the game changer. Without doing much else, i lost 6kg in one month. After 6 months I lost 5 stone. Thats all it took after years of being overweight.
What the hell?

[rabendranath]

Thank you very much for sharing these clips with us, I know we all have a hunch about how bad these foods are for us, but clips like this get the point across in a fascinating way

[davidbuckland]

All very good. I would go one step further and reduce your overall carbohydrate intake. Also, important to mention insulin resistance - this is the central tenet of metabolic health and how it's being adversely affected

[iRacingIRL]

Everyone on earth should watch this video. Life changing advice here…

[Iainey]

mind blown, this should be taught in schools!! 🤯

[theyjustwantyourmoney]

Three things I got here
1. Fake health claim labels like protein bars & shakes
2.They mimic real food because they’re not
3.Real food does’t need advertising

[GarrySibbald]

For a year I've avoided USP foods wherever possible. I wasn't overweight and stopped purely for a healthier diet but I've still lost 10kg and look noticeably slimmer. I'm the same weight and have the same heart rate and the same blood pressure that i had in my 20s despite now being in my 60s. I feel healthier and don't feel hungry as often as before and as a consequence I don't eat as much.
I've told friends with health and weight problems about the dangers of a UPF diet and why not try reducing the amount of UPF in their diet.
I'm visible proof to them that it brings health benefits but they simply don't believe that UPF is the reason for their illness or weight problems.
They can't switch out of the view that it must be ok to eat these foods because it's marketed as; healthy, low fat or low sugar and they believe the food industry wouldn't be allowed to sell products if the claims weren't true.(See minute 14 onwards in the video).
Unfortunately, from my experience I believe that the majority of people who are unhealthy and obese will continue to believe what they want to believe whether it's evidence based or not and this will include continuing to eat a predominantly UPS diet.

[jillfield]

This video should be on every tv station.👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[tonyprice]

Guar gum is essentially soluble fiber. I thought soluble fiber was good for microbes and slowing the digestion? I believe his message but i add psyllium husk to my own baked goods and think it does the same. It adds soluble fiber.

[psnnpjg]

1.Beware of 'lean' deli cuts. They too are chemically processed. In fact, any type of processed meat - bacon, sausage, et al, should be avoided.
2. The food industry has more than 34 names for sugar. If 'sugar' or any of its alternates feature in the first three ingredients, it's best to leave it on the shelf.
3. The 'diabetic menu' suggests 1/4 of daily food intake should be carbs - the exact formula for diabetes. Reduce carb intake as much as possible.
4. Real food does not require a label.
Signed, a (3-year sugar-free) concerned citizen.

[peterbrenton]

Fermented bread is best which has just 3 ingredients:flour 5% salt and water .