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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Stripping back the marketing on unhealthy foods

2 replies

Lemonthyme · 10/05/2026 08:28

This is not an anti UPF thread because that science isn't settled (yet) but what is settled is high fat, sugar and salt foods are pretty bad for us especially if they lack protein and fibre.

I think this is a fascinating mental exercise....

If you think about all of the high fat, sugar and salt foods that you might want to avoid when dieting, particularly the processed foods. Picture them on some supermarket shelves.

What does the packaging look like of crisps, sweets, high sugar cereals, chocolate, cakes?

Now remove the packaging and any colourings (whether they're natural or not) from the food.

Now look at those shelves again if they were just in colourless packs. No branding and no colours.

Isn't it fascinating how boring those aisles would look in comparison with the fruit and veg aisle? How much has to be added with bright packaging and colours to convince us to buy it? Even the unprocessed dried beans would look more joyous than the bags of crisps with the oil smeared on the packaging.

Every time I'm in the supermarket now I just find I'm fascinated by how much effort goes into trying to get us to buy foods that many consider addictive or at least really rewarding to eat when it's the natural foods packed in minimal wrapping.

OP posts:
happysunr1se · 10/05/2026 08:37

I like your thinking

Also, there are so many different fruit and veg varieties we don't get here, that's where I would like to see more variety rather than the biscuit aisle.

Make the junk food boringer.stop the endless variety of digestives biscuits and crisps shapes that tempt people when they newly turn up.

Disturbia81 · 10/05/2026 09:37

Such a good point, they do try and make it as tempting as possible! I do think it wouldn’t make much difference though, that stuff will always appeal more to most people. It appeals more to me and I love healthy food! I have to resist the crap every day, my body wants it

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