Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food … and Why Can’t We Stop? Paperback

Ultra-Processed People was easy to read and incredibly informative. I really appreciated the flexible approach—it doesn’t try to push a specific diet or action, but instead encourages awareness and understanding. I found that really refreshing. It gave me a lot to think about without feeling pressured.

The most interesting book I have read in a long time. Very well written by someone who has very obviously done his research very thoroughly. I have not been able to put it down. This should be much more widely read by everyone who cares about their health and most particularly if they have obesity.

I have done much research around food and nutrition over the years, thanks to body image issues that had me treating food as a source of comfort instead of sustenance, so in the end the information in this book was not particularly unfamiliar or surprising. But considering the physical status of much of the US population, this book could be quite helpful. Anything that helps people become more aware of what they are putting in their bodies is helpful. And I get it, it's hard, this eating thing, because even though we know the best foods for the body are those that come from the ground, tree, or bush, the truth is processed food is everywhere and it's convenient and been made to feel like fun. Like jumping in a bouncy house. Like, who doesn't love to eat an Oreo?! (And believe me, I'm not dissing Oreos.) Only, when you find out that the rats choose the cream filling over cocaine, that's when it may be time to start examining a little more closely what is going into our mouths. Anyway, if you want to understand more about how the industry is creating the food you see on the shelves, read this book. Then read others. Grow in knowledge. And be patient. Because the processing of food has also been the processing of our minds.

It's incredibly concerning what it being put into our food, and how damaging ultra-processed foods are to our health. This book is a great description of that problem, with lots of details about how even "the research" and science of nutrition is heavily funded by big food and big pharma companies who have a financial interest in us being sick, eating more of the heavily processed food that the big food companies sell, and then needing the "quick fix" in the form of drugs that the big pharma companies sell.It is particularly disturbing to learn the US regulatory process regarding what is allowed to be put in food.I love the classification system described, to help distinguish raw, unprocessed foods from minimially processed, and then processed and ultra-processed foods. While it is not a perfect system, it is helpful in determining what foods to eat if one want to make healthier choices.I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to improve their eating habits.The only thing I did not like is that it does seem rather bleak at points, and I wish that there was more in-depth writing concerning a solution to this problem.

If you care at all what you put into your body, DO read this book. So much of what we consume these days is ultra-processed food or to some degree, food that has undergone processing, leaving us still hungry and our bodies craving extra calories. Find out how foods are made (or rather, “constructed”) and where they come from. Once you know, you will look at food in a whole new light.

Examining the food system through the lens of capitalism is wild. Things I previously thought of as neat and innovative are actually terrifying. In an effort to be less annoying (e.g. ranting about this book non-stop) I bought several copies for friends and family.In the hands of a less skilled author, I would probably find the topics a bit intimidating. I appreciate how he organized the chapters of the book, and love how biological processes are explained with such color.The only thing that was a bit of a bummer is when the author talks about his dissatisfaction with his weight. He says all the right things about anti-fatness, and explicitly states judging people for their dietary choices is snobby and lame; however, I get the impression that fat people make him uncomfortable. The probable weight gain that comes from UPF is the least interesting part of this book.

Very informative and a must read for anyone interested in their health.

Great information, but a bit of a slog to get through. Powerful content, just wish the delivery was more fun and digestible.