Скачать или смотреть Food Junkies Podcast: Health Outcome and the Processed Food Industry, with Dr. Filippa Juul, 2025.

We are told by the processed food industry that “a calorie is a calorie.” But is that really true?

Welcome to the Food Junkies Podcast. my name is Dr Vera Tarman and I am your cohost today along with Clarissa Kennedy. Today we speak with Dr Filippa Juul, a researcher in the field of nutrition and public health, with a focus on the impact of ultra-processed foods on health outcomes.

Dr. Filippa Juul earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Spain, a Master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and her PhD in Epidemiology from the New York University School of Global Public Health (NYU GPH) in New York, USA

She is affiliated with the School of Public Health at State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate. Dr. Juul has contributed to several important studies examining the relationship between dietary patterns, particularly UPFs, and chronic diseases such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular conditions. Her work often uses the NOVA food classification system to analyze dietary data and inform public health recommendations.

We at Food Junkies are particularly interested in her views on the obesogenic and addictive nature of UPS; what is it about these foods that are such a problem? And why we are still eating them ?

Key Takeaways
🧠 It's About the Processing
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are engineered for convenience and hyper-palatability—not nourishment. Processing changes how the body absorbs and responds to food, often leading to overeating and poor metabolic health.

📚 NOVA System in a Nutshell
Group 1: Whole/minimally processed (e.g., fruit, eggs, plain yogurt)
Group 2: Cooking ingredients (e.g., oil, sugar, salt)
Group 3: Processed foods (e.g., canned veggies, artisanal cheese)
Group 4: Ultra-processed (e.g., nuggets, soda, protein bars)

🍟 Why We Overeat UPFs
Soft, fast-eating textures bypass satiety signals
High energy density = more calories, less fullness
Hyper-palatable combos (fat + sugar/salt) trigger cravings
Rapid absorption causes blood sugar spikes and crashes

🧬 Health Risks & Mechanisms
Linked to inflammation, gut imbalance, and poor glycemic control
Some additives may be harmful or addictive
Genetic factors may influence vulnerability to UPF addiction

🚸 Policy & Public Health
UPFs make up 60–70% of the modern diet
Strong links to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and poor mental health
Regulation on marketing, school meals, and additives is critical
Teaching cooking skills and nutrition literacy is essential

❤️ Rethinking Nourishment
Nourishment means satisfying, whole-food meals—not restriction
True recovery is about reclaiming joy, not giving up pleasure

💬 Quotes:
“We regulate food by volume, not calories—and UPFs pack a punch.”
“Nourishment is key to living a healthy, happy life.”
“UPFs don’t just harm—they replace what heals: real food and connection.”

📣 To Policymakers:
The obesity crisis is urgent. Make whole, nourishing foods affordable and accessible. Regulate what’s sold and marketed—especially to children.

Follow Dr. Juuls Research: https://www.researchgate.net/scientif...