Latest news with #ChrisVanTulleken
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Should you be eating food products with fewer ingredients?
For gluten-free, citrus-free and tomato-free Kerry Clayton, shopping and cooking is a well as her own food requirements, her 10-year-old son is dairy and family shops at multiple stores each week to get the best free-from options, cooks adaptable meals like jacket potatoes and pasta, and makes cakes and cookies from spends about an hour a week baking, on top of running two online jewellery businesses and parenting another M&S launched its Only range in March, with products featuring six or fewer ingredients, Ms Clayton described it as "a dream".That was despite higher prices - its one-ingredient corn flakes cost £2.50 for a 325g box, compared with 90p for 500g of the standard kind."For standard shoppers, it seems a lot, but for us with allergies, it's about normal," says Kent-based Ms Clayton."It's hard to find enjoyable things we can all eat. If you're used to the luxury of standard cereal, you might not enjoy alternatives, or understand the extra cost - but for those of us that need low ingredient food, it's perfect." Life might just be about to get a lot easier for Ms Clayton. More retailers and food brands are taking M&S's lead to offer more items containing fewer ingredients, prompted by the concern around ultra-processed food (UPF) that has been growing since Dr Chris Van Tulleken released his book, "Ultra-Processed People", in is ultra-processed food?Less processed is growing in Hopkins, founder of IND!E, a platform which helps small food and drink brands get into big retailers, says he's seen a 40% increase in retailer enquiries over the past year about products with fewer ingredients. He is taking bigger orders specifically from Ocado, Selfridges and John Lewis."Retailers are responding to growing consumer demand for simpler, more recognisable ingredient lists," says Harrogate-based Mr Hopkins. Feeling the need to offer a less-processed product, plant-based brand THIS, which makes meat-free sausages, burgers, chicken and bacon, has recently launched a new Super Superfoods designed to be the protein component of a meal, and features natural ingredients, like beans, seeds and is also responding to surveys indicating that shoppers are avoiding meat replacement products, due to their processed nature and the presence of artificial Byrne, innovation and sustainability director at THIS is concerned about "consumer confusion and hesitation"."We understand we are classified as a UPF, however, that has little bearing on whether our products are healthy, because their nutritional properties are extremely good. Our products are high in protein, high in fibre, low in saturated fat and low in sugar," says London-based Mr Byrne."It has been frustrating in many ways as it has shifted the focus away from the most important thing about food, which is the nutrition aspect." So has the public been misled that all ultra-processed food is bad, and all unprocessed food is good?Nutritionist Dr Laura Wyness thinks so, expressing disappointment that the M&S Only range puts "hype over health"."It may be that consumers are looking for products with shorter ingredient lists, but to leave out fortified nutrients is a backwards step for public health nutrition. We should be encouraging more nutrient dense foods in the diet, and fortifying products such as plant milk and dairy alternatives and breakfast cereals," says Edinburgh-based Dr Wyness."This seems like one occasion that the customer is not always right - mainly due to the misinformation that is informing their food choices."Dr Jibin He says UPF as a term is not a helpful indicator of whether something is healthy or unhealthy, as the concept, and how it is explained to the public, is food, Dr He notes, will remain an essential part of feeding a large and growing human population, as processing ensures food safety, extends shelf life, and reduces waste."Take tofu as an example. It is a great source of protein, low in fat and considered as a healthy alternative to meats, particularly red meat. It is also more environmentally tofu would be considered as a UPF whereas red meat would be an unprocessed food," says Dr He, who is head of science and a chartered food scientist at Teesside University. He has also collaborated with food manufacturers and food technology companies to improve processing technologies. For food brands wanting to create less processed products, Dr He advises that it can be done by simplifying the formulas of existing products, and looking at new processing and packaging technologies that mean fewer ingredients can be used."Many food products have extremely complex formulas, and a manufacturer may not fully understand the functions of each listed ingredient in their formula."I would advise food manufacturers to closely examine their formulas and identify which ingredients are absolutely necessary and which they can do without," Dr He recommends."Novel food processing technologies can also help produce products with higher nutritional retention and longer shelf life without significantly altering the physical structure and chemical composition of the food." Dr He is also expecting a rise in marketing to push the virtues of less processed food products, as well as to justify their higher price porridge brand 3Bears, for example, recently launched its own range of low ingredient breakfast cereals, in partnership with footballer Harry Kane. Mr Kane appears in product promotion, and is also a company shareholder.3Bears' oat cinnamon loops, containing seven ingredients, are priced at £3.99 for compared with Only multigrain hoops from M&S, containing five ingredients, at £2.50 for 300 grams, while Waitrose Essential multigrain hoops are £1.25 for 375 grams, and contain 22 ingredients."With our oat flakes it was really hard to get the texture and crunchiness right – as we only wanted to use three ingredients, and oats are very different to process than other grains. With the costs of creating products with fewer ingredients higher and the process harder, the price points are reflective of this," explains 3Bears co-founder Caroline Nichols. For some foods, the debate over UPF, seems less of a problem. The UK confectionery market continues to grow steadily, and is worth about £14.8bn, despite it having a high proportion of UPF cream ball brand Little Moons might list over 30 ingredients on some of its flavours, but it now exports from the UK to 35 countries, and supermarkets have copied it with own-brand Farquhar, the company's marketing, innovation and sustainability director, is confident that treat food brands can ride out the UPF storm, so he isn't in a hurry to slash Little Moon's ingredient list."The reality of a category like ice cream is that certain ingredients are needed to keep the product stable through the food supply chain, like emulsifiers and stabilisers. So unless we're all going to start making ice cream at home regularly then off-the-shelf ice cream still has a role to play," says London-based Mr Farquhar."I'm sure the M&S 'Only' chocolate bars are delicious, but they're speaking to a very specific audience, and I doubt the big confectionery brands are going to be willing to compromise the core product attributes consumers love."
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
What's Up Docs? Menopause - is HRT for you?
Welcome to What's Up Docs?, the podcast show where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In recent years, long-overdue conversations around the menopause have begun to break taboos and change perceptions. But it can still be a confusing or misunderstood topic, especially with the explosion of menopause marketing that's come alongside increased awareness. In this episode, they're joined by Professor Mary Ann Lumsden, gynaecologist and academic at the University of Glasgow, to ask about the challenges she's seen in her clinic and whether growing awareness has actually translated into better outcomes for women. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@ or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Mary Ann Lumsden Producers: Emily Bird and Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4
Irish Daily Star
30-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Star
Four ultra-processed foods that may be harming your health without you realizing
When asked to identify ultra-processed foods, many people would likely point to high fat or sugar snacks and meals. Biscuits, crisps, sausages, and pastries are all obvious examples - but there are some less well-known ones. The health warning offers similar advice to an expert who said a diet switch could lead to a 17 percent reduction of your death risk. The British Heart Foundation explains that the term 'ultra-processed foods', which has been linked to increased chances of contracting serious health issues , originates from the NOVA food classification system developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. This system categorises food into four groups based on the extent of processing during production: Unprocessed or minimally processed foods : This includes produce such as fruit, vegetables, milk, fish, pulses, eggs, nuts and seeds that have no added ingredients and have been little altered from their natural state. Read More Related Articles FDA says bread sold in six states has been recalled over 'glass fragments' Read More Related Articles Four jobs linked to highest heart disease risk including one with 'extreme' effects Processed ingredients : This includes foods that are added to other foods rather than eaten by themselves, such as salt , sugar and oils Dr Chris Van Tulleken, author of Ultra Processed People, says many of us are consuming ultra-processed foods without even realising it (Image: Getty Images) Processed foods : These are foods that are made by combining foods from groups 1 and 2, which are altered in a way that home cooks could do themselves. They include foods such as jam, pickles, tinned fruit and vegetables, homemade breads and cheeses Ultra-processed foods : Ultra-processed foods typically have more than 1 ingredient that you never or rarely find in a kitchen. They also tend to include many additives and ingredients that are not typically used in home cooking, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colours and flavours. These foods generally have a long shelf life. Many items in the UPF category are tasty choices or quick and easy to grab, making them a popular choice in our hectic lives. However, researchers have just released findings from a significant study which revealed that nearly 18,000 people potentially died as a result of consuming UPFs. The research, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found that in 2018/19, approximately 17,781 premature deaths in the UK could have been associated with UPFs, , reports Surrey Live . Lead investigator Eduardo Nilson, hailing from Brazil's notable Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, outlined: "UPFs affect health beyond the individual impact of high content of critical nutrients (sodium, trans fats, and sugar) because of the changes in the foods during industrial processing and the use of artificial ingredients, including colourants, artificial flavours and sweeteners, emulsifiers, and many other additives and processing aids, so assessing deaths from all causes associated with UPF consumption allows an overall estimate of the effect of industrial food processing on health." Dr Nilson highlighted the stark findings of the study: "Each 10% increase in the participation of UPFs in the diet increases the risk of death from all causes by 3%." The British Heart Foundation (BHF) cautions: "More than half of the energy (calories) an average person in the UK eats and drinks comes from ultra-processed foods. That's perhaps not surprising as they can be convenient and appealing and are heavily marketed to us. But researchers have shown that ultra-processed foods can impact our health." However, it's not always straightforward to dodge UPFs, some are more elusive than you think. It's clear they go beyond sausage ice cream, crisps, and biscuits - striking some as seemingly healthy or just unexpected. Ultra-processed foods that might catch us off guard. Many people might not realize that their 'healthy' breakfast cereal or a ham salad sandwich could be packed with UPFs. The BHF remarks: "When you think of ultra-processed foods, you might think of chips, sweets, and colourful sugary drinks, but there are some less obvious examples." It's highlighted a few items that may fly under your UPF radar. Breakfast cereals and bread. Common goods like breakfast cereals and mass-produced or packaged bread are often tagged as ultra-processed foods. They typically contain added extras during their making, such as emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colours and flavours. The BHF notes: "One of the criticisms of the NOVA method of categorising foods is that foods like these, which can be part of a healthy diet, sit alongside less nutritious ultra-processed foods. Less nutritious ultra-processed foods can include pre-prepared meals, sausages and nuggets, as well as sweets, biscuits, pastries, buns, cakes and pre-prepared chips." Vegetarian and vegan foods. Even plant-based meat and cheese alternatives fall into the ultra-processed category, so they might not be as wholesome as their marketing suggests. Cheese. Most fresh dairy cheeses such as Cheddar, Brie, mozzarella, and Edam are classified as processed foods because they're made using methods like pasteurisation, fermentation, or ageing, according to the BHF. However, some cheeses are considered UPFs. The BHF advises: "Cheeses that are ultra-processed include cheese slices, spreads, some shredded cheeses, and flavoured cheeses. They have been industrially processed and can typically contain added fats, sugars and salt, as well as ingredients we do not have at home, such as preservatives, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and artificial colourings. "Vegetarian and vegan cheeses can also be ultra-processed because of the ingredients and additives used to make them taste and feel like dairy cheese. Cheese is a good source of calcium and protein and, in moderation, can be a healthy part of your diet. "To avoid ultra-processed foods, stick to traditional cheeses. For example, buying Cheddar in a large block and slicing it yourself is cheaper and healthier than buying pre-sliced options. "But keep in mind that cheese can be high in salt and saturated fat, so aim for a matchbox-sized portion (around 30g) per day to keep your intake in check." Beverages. Ultra-processed foods aren't limited to brightly colored options. According to the BHF, "carbonated drinks and some alcoholic beverages, including whisky, gin, and rum," all fall under this category. Is it necessary to completely eliminate UPFs from my diet? The BHF advises that even though evidence is piling up against ultra-processed foods in relation to heart and circulatory health, the current research isn't strong enough to mandate completely ditching them. They suggest: "Instead of trying to completely cut out these foods, think about the balance in your diet. For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here . "Make sure that there are minimally processed foods in there too – eat fruit and vegetables with your meals and drink water instead of sugary drinks – and try to fit in time over the week for home cooking. It's also important to remember that not all ultra-processed foods are equal. "When you do include ultra-processed foods in your diet, choose those with more nutritional benefit – wholegrain bread and cereals or baked beans for example, instead of crisps, sweets or pizzas. Get in the habit of reading food labels so you can easily identify and cut back on foods that are high in sugar, salt, or saturated fat." For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
