Ultra-Processed People: The Food That Isn’t Food — A Book Review

As regular readers know, I’ve long been heavily concerned with food: the effects on my body of what I eat. I noticed, for example, when I ate “so-called” regular food I then could not control my appetite; I was doing my version of eating everything in sight! Well not quite but. . .

When I went back to my usual diet of Ezekiel bread, lots of nuts, fruit, oatmeal . . . real food, I had no problems with only my usual three meals a day. My stomach and I were happy and healthy.

Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind Food That Isn’t Food by Chris Van Tulleken [a practicing infectious diseases doctor in the UK] lands on my reading desk. My attention is immediately grabbed: this is a book I’ve been waiting for.

Ultra-Processed People does not fool around. Chris Van Tulleken makes himself a guinea pig.

He eats (for a month) his regular diet, under full statistical care, being measured for everything.

Then for a following month – still with all those statistics in place, his diet consists of a 80% UPF diet.

For example, “UPF (Ultra Processed Food) now makes up as much as 60 percent of the average diet in the UK and the USA”, p 5.

I’m still reading/understanding this book. Here’s what Chris van Tulleken – – has to say:

“ . . . by the end (of reading this book) I hope you’ll have begun to understand how everything from the marketing campaign to the strange lack of satisfaction you feel after eating is driving ill health. And you may see that many of the problems in your life that you’ve been putting down to getting older, or having children or work stress, are caused by the food you eat . . . if you are able to give it (Ultra Processed Food) up, the evidence suggests that this will be good for your body, your brain and the planet . . . and I’d love to know if it happens to you,” p 11.

Thank You for reading, JoAnn Lordahl

Reading, Writing currently consumes most of my dwindling energy. Till Next Time. . .Stay safe, stay healthy, be kind.

Dr. Jo Ann Lordahl is a lifelong author, poet, novelist, and speaker whose work explores empowerment, aging with grace, and the deep questions that define our lives. Her books and reflections — from historical fiction to meditations on creative living — encourage resilience, reflection, and positive transformation.

If this post stirs questions about moral courage, shared humanity, or the work of healing in hard times, consider exploring Dr. Lordahl’s writing — especially her essays and books on reflection and personal transformation. Her voice reminds us that even in upheaval, there is a path toward patience, insight, and compassionate action.