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AMA with Dr Chris van Tulleken, expert on Ultra-Processed Food and award-winning broadcaster

145 replies

NicolaDMumsnet · 03/08/2023 14:35

Hi everyone,

We’re pleased to announce that award-winning broadcaster, author and practicing NHS doctor Chris van Tulleken will be doing an AMA this evening. Following his BBC One documentary ‘What Are We Feeding Our Kids?’ and the chart-topping podcast ‘A Thorough Examination – Addicted to Food’, Chris has become the UK’s go-to expert on Ultra-Processed Food (UPF). In his most recent book ‘Ultra-Processed People’ Chris marshals the latest evidence to reveal what UPF is really doing to our bodies and the planet.

Ultra-Processed People
‘Drawing on his own experiment of eating an 80% UPF diet for one month, Chris explores the invention of UPF and its impact on our health and weight – from altering metabolism and appetite, to an increased risk of serious health problems like cardiovascular disease and dementia. He shows that almost all our staple foods are ultra- processed – bread, cereal, biscuits, desserts, dairy products and condiments; explains why exercise and willpower cannot prevent obesity and ill health due to UPF; and provides solutions for individuals, policy makers and the food industry.’

Please post your questions below. Chris will be answering questions this evening.

As always, please remember our guidelines - one question per user, follow-ups only if there’s time and most questions have been answered, and please keep it civil.

Thanks,
MNHQ

AMA with Dr Chris van Tulleken, expert on Ultra-Processed Food and award-winning broadcaster
AMA with Dr Chris van Tulleken, expert on Ultra-Processed Food and award-winning broadcaster
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6
Expert
doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 15:56

AccidentallyFabulous · 03/08/2023 16:30

Hi Chris,

This might be a bit of a niche question, but...

My daughter is 15 years old and has complex health issues including an unsafe swallow. She was Ng fed until she was 17 months, and has been gastrostomy fed since. Apart from the first three months when I managed to express enough for her to have breast milk only via her tube, she has lived, I guess, on 100% UPF for almost 15 years, in the shape of medical formula.

You'll know that many children struggle to thrive on medical formula and that many see amazing results by switching to a blended diet of real food. However many also find that they are unsupported by NHS doctors and dietitians who have been very suspicious of blended diet.

This seems to be changing and we've tentatively started to discuss a change to blended diet with our dietitian. However because of her need for a low-volume, calorie dense diet (her current formula is 1.5kcsl/ml) I am not sure that we'll ever be able to provide all she needs that way.

What would you do in our situation? If we can't replace her formula completely with 'real' food is there one thing you'd want to be getting into her diet above others?

It sounds like you're doing an incredible job. Don't sweat about essential UPF but I do admire your commitment to feeding with real food. I think this is very sensible but that's not medical advice. You can make real food that is pretty high calorie and I think getting in some phytonutrients from fruit and veg might be really good but there is so much complexity here I really want you to approach this carefully and in consultation with your experts. FWIW i think that parents like you are to be listened to and trusted - you are often the most skilled clinicians taking care of your kids and we ignore or sideline you at our peril. Sending much love and luck. Cxxx

Experts' posts:
Expert
doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 15:58

KnightDown · 03/08/2023 16:31

Great book.

I really noticed the care you took to avoid dehumanising or belittling language around obesity- something the medical profession aren't always brilliant at. I'd be very interested in your views on how the insights in your book can be communicated more widely without alienating those who might benefit from them, and in your views on how HCPs communicate re obesity in general. It's well established that trying to encourage people to lose weight by using shaming language often has the opposite effect but sadly this is taking some time to filter through.

Thanks for your kinds words and you make such an important point. I know some people won't read the book because they suspect it may be traumatising - and for some it will be of course. I try to always know that people who live with diet related disease are listening. Cx

Experts' posts:
Expert
doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 15:59

Ohyeahwaitaminute · 03/08/2023 15:59

I’m also very intolerant to gluten and yeast, too. I do some home baking, but seem to recall from your book that Xanthan gum is a no-no. How do we get round it?
Or suggestions for home made GF bread?

I agree, trying to lead a normal GF life without the ingestion of manufactured GF products seems almost impossible.

Not sure I quoted this earlier so pasting again:

Xanthan gum is not a no-no - but it is a sign of a product being Ultra Processed and there is some early work showing it affects the microbiome though it's not known if that's actually harmful.
If you love the bread and you're not struggling with any other diet related disease then rememebr I'm not suggesting that most people need to be abstinent - cutting down will work well. And if your only UPF is gluten free bread don't beat yourself up.
It would bother me if I was coeliac - so I'd switch to a traditional gluten free carb replacement or make my own without Xanthan (not trivial and I confess I have not tried to do this!)

Experts' posts:
Expert
doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 16:00

WheelyMom · 03/08/2023 16:33

Hi and thanks for doing this! I have a disability (MS) and I struggle to prepare meals as I suffer with overwhelming fatigue, pain and mobility problems. Currently my husband cooks for our family but he also works full-time so it would be helpful if there were options where I could prepare a family meal some days, for example anything in the microwave, no prep work, baking tray stuff. These are the sorts of things that fall in the UPF category so how do I choose better ready-made or ready prepared options?

Really important question. There are loads of non-UPF ready meals and there are lots of resources on quick meals to prep - Allegra McEvedy is brilliant.
You're dealing with a lot so also go easy on yourself if you do find that you sometimes lean on some UPF. Cxxx

Experts' posts:
Expert
doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 16:01

AccidentallyFabulous · 03/08/2023 16:33

Separately, I'd like to thank you and your brother for Operation Ouch. I can't tell you what it meant to my kids, when young, to see some of the things they themselves had to deal with demystified with such good humour. They saw Ng tubes, cochlear implants, gastrostomies, epipens, catheters - and on one memorable occasion, my son's neurosurgeon operating on an child with epilepsy.

Thank you.

Thanks so much for this. Means a huge amount and I'll pass on to the team. Cxxx

Experts' posts:
Expert
doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 16:02

needastrongoneagain · 03/08/2023 16:42

I'm interested your point re activity levels not affecting weight in Ultra Processed People. I run 40/50 miles a week and my weight is stable, as undoubtedly my calorie intake. I'm fortunate genetically too re size/weight. Win win.

That said, there's no denying that those athletes who choose to participate in extreme endurance events have a certain build. Ultra runners, marathon runners, long distance cyclists, swimmers to an extent. Many of these really do consume a lot of calories! Is there an explanation for this? I'm struggling to square that circle! 🙂

Love the book and podcasts btw.

yes 100% i used to run ultra marathons and I ate a lot more. But it wasn't very sustainable. The kind of activity level that most of us are able to sustain for many years doesn't seem to appreciably affect calories burned. High performace athletes are an exception.

Experts' posts:
Expert
doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 16:04

Roguebludger · 03/08/2023 16:43

Your message about upf is delivered really well. What do you recommend as a calcium rich alternative for dairy intolerance?

https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/documents/calcium-for-dairyfree.pdf

https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/documents/calcium-for-dairyfree.pdf

Experts' posts:
Tanaqui · 19/09/2023 16:07

Thank you so much for coming back to this Dr Chris. I had a question earlier, but I think you have provably covered it in your other answers; but just wanted to say thanks again for Operation Ouch, as well as the new book!

Expert
doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 16:09

doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 16:04

Show quote history

There is loads of great vegan society advice! Good luck Cx

Experts' posts:
PaminaMozart · 19/09/2023 16:16

How important is it to cut out all sugars as much as possible? Do you consider it equally important as UPF?

gingercat02 · 19/09/2023 16:29

Hi Chris, I'm a dietitian and a big fan of real food.
My husband had an MI and cardiac arrest in January, so we are pushing the Mediterranean diet.
However, margarine and oils are a challenge!
Obviously, butter is the non-UPF choice but sat fat heavy, we have gone for Flora original as it looks best to me lipid wise. Same with olive oil as I know seed oils are considered UPF.
Any thoughts on CVD protection and fats and UPF?

MNHQ
NicolaDMumsnet · 19/09/2023 16:49

Thanks everyone for all the great questions and a big thank you for @doctorchrisvt for giving such helpful and informative answers.

OP posts:
BeginningToLookALotLike · 19/09/2023 16:54

Thank you MN and Dr Chris! Very helpful!

StBrides · 19/09/2023 17:32

doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 15:30

This is a really important question. Avoiding UPF is extremely hard for people like you and that is one of the things I am trying to work with policy makers on so that healthy food can be affordable and available. Fresh fruit and raw vegetables are very expensive but don't take too much time to prep and if you have dips for the raw veg they become much more enjoyable. There are lots of non UPF ready meals at M&S, Waitrose, Sainsburys and Tescos but I acknowledge that these are expensive. It is a huge injustice that eating well is so hard for someone like you and please know that I am working with policy makers to try and bring about change, though I can't promise anything soon.

Show quote history

Hi Dr Chris,

I'm part way through your book and have a health condition that means i struggle with cooking / food prep at the best of times so having a few non UPF ready meals to keep in the freezer is really helpful. Do you happen to know how they're branded in any of these shops or shall I just keep an eye on the ingredients?

Sorry for the sneaky last minute question and thank you for all the work you're doing to create fairer healthy food distribution, it's so important.

Expert
doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 18:07

Thank you everyone for your brilliant and insightful questions. There is so much more here that I wish I had time to answer, but I have read your questions and a lot of themes are coming up which I will endeavour to answer in due course if I haven't been able to get to it today. I really enjoyed hearing from you all, and thank you for engaging with my book!

Experts' posts:
WheelyMom · 19/09/2023 19:16

doctorchrisvt · 19/09/2023 16:00

Really important question. There are loads of non-UPF ready meals and there are lots of resources on quick meals to prep - Allegra McEvedy is brilliant.
You're dealing with a lot so also go easy on yourself if you do find that you sometimes lean on some UPF. Cxxx

Show quote history

Thank you so much for coming back to the q&a and answering these qu’s! There is growing discussion about UPF and I think it shows the influence of your book and the spread of your message. Thank you xx

StBrides · 19/09/2023 19:45

@BrownieNut thanks!

WheelyMom · 19/09/2023 19:51

BrownieNut · 19/09/2023 19:30

This is really helpful, I am chronically ill with MS and knowing how to direct my husband to non-UPF ready meals in the supermarket is invaluable! @doctorchrisvt Your book is proving very popular, I’m ranked 122 out of 132 people waiting to borrow your book from my local library and I’ve recently joined a Facebook group focused on reducing UPF which has a huge number of members talking about your book! Hopefully this is a really good sign that there will be more consumer pressure to come as people vote with their wallet!

fishfingersandtoes · 19/09/2023 19:51

I am a very very lazy cook. Any suggestions for upf free or low upf meals or snacks for a hungry teenaged boy who is a vegetarian?
Currently very reliant on Quorn nuggets and premade vegan Jamaican patties.

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