Obesity

book cover, loaf of processed bread

Coral Wynter reviews Ultra-Processed People, by Chris van Tulleken, which looks at the industrialised chemicals and processed components that make up the ultra-processed food we buy in supermarkets.

Australian Greens leader Richard Di Natale has pledged to introduce a private senator鈥檚 bill by the end of the year for a 鈥渟ugar tax鈥 which he estimates would claw $500 million from the country鈥檚 shopping list each year.

The legislation which Di Natale has hailed as an 鈥渙besity prevention strategy鈥, has raised ire among his own ranks who have labelled the policy a 鈥渃aptain鈥檚 call鈥.

What causes heart disease 鈥 high fat or the over-consumption of sugar? Humans have been eating all sorts of foods for more than 200,000 years, since we evolved from the African savannah. But what should we be eating to stay healthy in the 21st century? Should we eat large amounts of protein, or avoid meat? Should we avoid carbohydrates, including vegetables and fruit? Should we avoid all fats or just some? Should we follow the Aitkin鈥檚 diet, the paleo diet, the low GI or high GI diet, or just go vegan? It is very confusing.