30 Aug Surprise, surprise, Ultra Processed Food has been framed!

But why and how has it taken so long?

The stats are bad

We have been watching the world becoming increasingly overweight, obese, and even morbidly obese for years, and barely even rumours have come from the top.

Hospital beds have been filling up with type 2 diabetes patients – 1 in 4 beds allegedly – and still, they’ve barely said a word.

People, young and old, are dropping like flies, fighting cancer, battling alzheimers – thought to be type 3 diabetes – and dealing with chronic heart conditions, still, there’s been no serious warnings.

On top of that, ADHD diagnosis is through the roof, childhood obesity is skyrocketing, and anxiety and depression is at an all-time high.

The evidence is there

Antidepressants are being prescribed at an astronomical rate– a growth of 5% year on year. Around 12% of the population – and a growing number of young people – are taking them.

Yes, we are living in tumulus times, but the diet of young people is increasingly being filled with UPF – up to 80%, a recent news report suggests.

The NHS is on its knees and that is not set to improve anytime soon.

We can’t wait

Governments are so slow at implementing change, some countries, such as Chile and Mexico, have insisted on black labels on UPF to help people make the right choice, It isn’t nearly enough, but it’s a start.

There are literally billions spent on food marketing every year, but barely any of that is focused on fruit and vegetables, or other whole foods. It is wrong on so many levels and we are being fed non-food instead of real food.

As Mark Hyman, American physician and author so rightly says ‘There’s no such thing as junk food. There’s junk and there’s food.”

Some have tried

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver has succeeded in improving school meals and helped the introduction of a sugar tax on fizzy drinks.

Chris van Tulleken, a British doctor and TV presenter, ate UPF for four weeks and showcased his frightening findings in a BBC documentary.

Morgan Spurlock, American documentary filmmaker and the television producer who created Super Size Me after eating only McDonalds for 30 days did his bit too, but it’s still not enough.

What can we do?

We can reverse the damage if we start now, we simply can’t wait for anyone else to save us, We can only do this ourselves. If we want a better life, a healthy old age, and a calmer existence, it’s the only option.

Small changes over a period of time can have magnanimous benefits, so start today by just excluding one thing, it’s that simple.

Rome was not built in a day so try not to feel overwhelmed; you will get there by taking small steps.

And remember, the only people who benefit from UPF sales are the shareholders, the profiteers, and possibly the governments, Don’t allow them to do this anymore.

It is time to make a stand and take back control.

You are stronger than you think, always.