Ultra-Processed People: What Chris van Tulleken’s Book Means for Our Hauora
At Kia Kaha Chemist, we often kōrero with whānau about kai, medicines, and the choices that shape our hauora (health and wellbeing). Recently, a powerful book has been sparking discussions across Aotearoa and beyond: Ultra-Processed People by Dr Chris van Tulleken.
Let’s take a closer look at what the book says, where it’s strong, where it’s controversial, and, most importantly, what it means for us here in Aotearoa.
What’s the book about?
Chris van Tulleken is a UK doctor and broadcaster who wanted to understand what ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are doing to our health. Using the NOVA classification, he defines UPFs as industrial formulations made mostly from ingredients you’d never use in your own kitchen. Think: emulsifiers, gums, artificial flavours, and protein isolates.
The heart of the book is his self-experiment: eating a diet made up of 80% UPFs for a month. The results were striking: weight gain, poor sleep, low mood, digestive upset, and even reduced libido!! When he switched back to whole foods, most of these effects reversed.
But Ultra-Processed People is not just about one man’s diet. It’s a deep dive into how food companies design products to be irresistible, how marketing shapes what we eat, and how UPFs link to rising rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and poor mental health.
Strengths of the book
Engaging and accessible – Van Tulleken explains science in a way that anyone can follow, mixing humour with research.
Big-picture focus – He looks beyond “calories in, calories out” to examine the systems: industry, policy, and advertising that keep UPFs at the centre of our diets.
Impactful storytelling – His personal experiment makes the health effects of UPFs feel immediate and relatable.
Where the book gets challenged
Like any bold public health book, Ultra-Processed People has its critics.
Too black-and-white – Some nutrition experts say the book overstates certainty. The evidence linking UPFs to poor health is strong but still developing.
Definition confusion – The term “ultra-processed” is tricky. For example, wholemeal bread baked in a factory can be classed as UPF, but so can fizzy drinks and confectionery. Clearly, not all UPFs are equal.
Equity concerns – In communities where time, money, or access to fresh kai are limited, UPFs can provide necessary calories. Blanket avoidance isn’t always realistic or fair.
Why this matters for us in Aotearoa
For Māori and other communities across the motu, the book highlights a crucial truth: food is more than fuel. It shapes our hauora, our relationships, and even our culture.
Here in the South, we see the impact of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory conditions every day. UPFs, by design, make it harder to stick to traditional, nourishing kai. They hijack taste buds and cravings, while squeezing out healthier options.
At Kia Kaha Chemist, we believe the message should not be “fear your food,” but “know your food.” Understanding how UPFs work gives us power to make choices that uphold mana and support whānau ora.
Takeaway for whānau
UPFs are everywhere—acknowledge them, but don’t be paralysed by fear.
Focus on adding more rokoā kai: whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, and minimally processed staples.
Be kind to yourself: food choices are shaped by availability, cost, and life pressures. Every step towards less processed kai is a win.
Remember: hauora is collective. Sharing kai, cooking together, and reconnecting with traditional food practices are as important as the nutrients themselves.
Ready to make changes for your hauora?
If this kōrero has got you thinking about your own diet, medicines, or health journey, I’d love to help. At Kia Kaha Chemist, I offer one-on-one consults where we can sit down together, look at your current medicines and lifestyle, and explore practical, whānau-centred steps to support your wellbeing.
👉 Book a consult today and let’s work together to strengthen your hauora, reduce inflammation, and build a plan that fits you and your whānau.