Ultra-Processed People
Chris van Tulleken
2023
Overview:
In this investigative and deeply personal book, doctor and science communicator Chris van Tulleken uncovers how ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have infiltrated our diets, bodies, and culture — with profound effects on health, metabolism, and child development. He explores how these factory-made products alter appetite, gut health, and even brain chemistry, while challenging powerful food industry narratives.
Why It’s Included:
While not breastfeeding-specific, this book reinforces the biological importance of real, whole foods — especially during pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood. It supports the case for human milk as the evolutionary norm and offers a compelling argument for resisting the marketing of UPF-based infant foods.
Who It’s For:
Ideal for parents, health professionals, and advocates who want to better understand the systemic forces shaping modern nutrition. Particularly useful for those promoting baby-led weaning, responsive feeding, and informed choice.
“This book is the wake-up call we all need. Children now recieve the majority of their energy from Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF), with some recieving ALL of their energy from UPFs. That is alarming enough but when you remember that the UK has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding initation in the world it looks much worse. A significant number of British infants recieve 100% of their energy from infant formula from birth. This UPF is then followed by ultra-processed commercial baby foods before transitioning to the family UPF diet. At what cost?”
Further Reading:
Inventing Baby Food – Amy Bentley
Milk – Matthew Evans
