‘This is an emergency’ - Chris van Tulleken on how our diet is killing us

What is ultra-processed food? And do we really know what it’s doing to our bodies, our health, and the planet?

Chris van Tulleken is a doctor and TV presenter who says most of the food that we eat isn’t really food. “Whether you're eating a burger, or a piece of fried chicken, or a breakfast cereal, there are illusions of texture. There will be little crunches and pops and snaps and greasy bits and dry bits and chewy bits. But it's all inhalably fast-to-eat and the hormones that tell you to stop just can't keep up.”

His latest book, ‘Ultra-Processed People’, explores how ultra-processed food is designed to fuel addiction and is creating an epidemic of diet-related disease.

Today, Chris joins Krishnan Guru-Murthy on Ways to Change the World to discuss the dangers of a UPF diet, and why urgent government regulation is needed.

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[foxylady]

When you eat healthy whole foods it’s amazing how many aisles you don’t need to go down in a supermarket…

[garylifo]

People who can articulate a message this clearly and simply are worth their weight in gold. This guy needs to be heard by a very wide audience. The interviewer was also excellent

[rupertcaney]

"The purpose of food, historically, has been about love and nourishment, and feeding friends, family, and community. And that has determined our physiology". And now we have companies making ultra-processed food purely for mass profit. We're in real trouble here. This video is fantastic, and much needed 🙌

[koilpoju]

I grew up in Lithuania in the 90s. Our family was poor, and we only ate home cooked meals. My grandmother had a garden, a cow and a few pigs, and we always made our own food (butter, cream, sausages). I continue cooking, and sometimes it’s something super simple: boiled eggs, tomato :) but when I moved to UK I was shocked at the amount of fake foods. Never liked it, and I am very happy about it.

[Rita-jeix]

Physical health and Mental health are BOTH destroyed by addiction to ultra-processed foods. Great interview!

[fastmaker]

I love this quote ”it is not food. It is an industrially produced edible substance. And it’s purpose is financialized growth”

[peggyunderhill]

I’m 82. 5 years ago I stopped eating most processed foods. Olive oil instead of seed oils. I use lard or bacon fat if and when I fry anything. I mostly shop the outside aisles of the store where meats and veggies live. My blood pressure is normal, my sore knees and hips no longer hurt, my brain is sharp and I’ve lost weight. Rarely eat out. Food prep can be a pain sometimes, but I keep it simple. It’s really not difficult.

[oreoandoz]

Here in Canada we recently had what our media dubbed "Buttergate." So many Canadians began baking again over the pandemic, and wondered why the butter, left to soften on the counter, didn't soften any more. It stayed hard. It emerged that our butter companies had been quietly cutting the dairy in our butter with palm oil. Canadians saw red! we got super upset! We didn't even know they'd been doing it... and with butter at a ridiculous 7 or 8.99$ cdn a brick, and its half palm oil!? Seriously, that's actual fraud. :/

[GFunkTube]

I was way over morbidly obese and Chis' book was the only thing that switched the habits. Thanks. Lost 45lbs so far.

[rolandstockham]

Excellent presentation. As a nurse I have been trying to promote these ideas for 20yrs and feeling like a very small voice so it is great to see this becoming more mainstream

[conormahon]

This is the most significant interview I have seen in years, the breadth of demographics and social groups it affects and the impact that it has on them is vast

[michaeltruman]

Great interview. I have a 25 year old son who never ate junk food. I introduced him to great dinners at a young age and we use to cook together and I taught him to read product ingredients from a young age. I do have a brother whose son is a nightmare to eat anything approaching real food. I see this as a real issue facing society today and I welcome you shinning a light it.

[DewottEva]

Read this book then watched this interview. Genuinely think everyone needs to read his book. I agreed with him before reading but still learnt a lot and had my beliefs challenged. Go Dr Chris!!

[AndrewPawley]

We all owe Chris van Tulleken a great deal for this work.

[mihaeladog]

I grew up in Eastern Europe ( long time ago 😂)and gone through my whole childhood without cereals or processed foods .I never gained weight as an adult and never been sick except a couple of flues).I think being poor early in life saved my life, we were forced to eat organic and make our own “ processed “ food by canning and smoking .
Thanks mom ❤

[TheSpanishGuitarHub]

Two years ago I switched to a non-processed diet. I cook a lot, but my health improved so much. I lost 15kg, and I lost all my allergy symptoms and stomach problems that I had from food. I look younger and feel amazing. The best thing that I have done for my health. No dairy, no wheat products, just natural food. Meat, vegetables, fruits, rice and potatoes.

[Geonopedi]

Minor point but i really appreciate Dr Chris crediting "mainly female domestic scientists" - giving women the recognition they deserve in ancient science <33

[leightoncooke]

I’ve been eating a Mediterranean diet for many years, with olive oil, butter, fish and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Combined with exercise, it keeps me fit in my retirement.

[JamesBS]

What a frickin hero for bringing out this message and going against the interest of some very powerful corporations

[Paythepipertoplay]

Teaching kids how to grow food is possibly the best lesson to be taught. It teaches attention, how to nurture and the benefits of those things.