In 2024, I completely eliminated ultra-processed food from my diet. The results were astounding - not only did I shed a significant amount of weight, but I also discovered a whole new range of foods that have now become staples in my daily meals. Unlike the fad diets promising rapid weight loss, this dietary shift has been surprisingly sustainable.
This is largely due to the fact that it doesn't involve starving myself, reducing portion sizes or completely cutting out an entire food group such as carbohydrates. In fact, my diet now consists of a high proportion of fats - albeit healthy ones derived from foods like nuts, avocados and Greek yoghurt. By swapping out nutrient-deficient, ultra-processed foods for nutrient-rich whole foods, I find myself full between meals and no longer reaching for crisps or biscuits.
The transformation has been remarkable. I've lost over a stone, enrolled in a nutrition programme, and constantly discover new foods, recipes and flavour combinations. Despite being in my mid-forties, physical activity has never felt easier.
However, this change has brought about one unexpected issue (more on that later), reports Wales Online . Dr Chris Van Tulleken, an infectious diseases doctor and bestselling author, offers this definition of what constitutes ultra-processed food (UPF): "If it's wrapped in plastic and it contains at least one ingredient that you don't typically find in a domestic kitchen, then it's ultra-processed food." This means the most common.