An online doctor has shared what ‘deadly’ food he claims is the ‘most fattening’ on the planet.
16:10, 16 Apr 2025Updated 16:12, 16 Apr 2025
The social media doctor has shared the ‘world’s most fattening’ food(Image: Dazeley via Getty Images)
Social media is full of contradictory diet information that can easily get confusing for those of us looking to watch our weight. And diet advice on which foods to avoid is often shared by online health gurus and influencers.
But one trusted online doctor has shared one ‘deadly’ food he describes as the ‘most fattening in the world’. Dr Eric Berg is a nutritionist and chiropractic doctor who specialises in intermittent fasting and dietary advice, which he regularly shares online.
He often posts health tips to his 17 million YouTube followers and one million TikTok followers, and a recent video on his page tackles the health problems surrounding one particular type of sugar.
Dr Berg said: “The number one most fattening ingredient in the world is not butter, it’s not fatty meat, it’s not even table sugar.”
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All three of these foods are known to be ‘fattening’, and Healthline agrees that while butter provides flavour and nutrients, consuming it in excess can lead to weight gain due to its high calorie and saturated fat content.
Excessive intake of butter, fatty meat or table sugar can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
But none of these foods are the one Dr Berg claims to be the ‘world’s most fattening.’
He continued: “The most fattening ingredient in the world is refined starch.”
The health expert went on to list some sources of refined starch, naming “modified food starch, modified corn starch, maltodextrin, tapioca flour, rice flour, potato flour, and wheat flour, which increases your blood sugar more than actual sugar.”
Refined starch can be found in white bread, white rice, and many cereals(Image: Getty Images)
Nutritional company Zoe explains that ‘refined starch’ refers to starch that has undergone processing, often to remove some of its original components like fibre, vitamins, and minerals, resulting in a food that is lower in these nutrients.
Dr Berg continued: “People consume at least 100 pounds of this food a year, you can eat a lot of it without even thinking twice, because it doesn’t satisfy you.
“The main purpose of this food is to be a filler, it barely has any taste,
“It’s not only a hidden carbohydrate, it’s a hidden deadly type of sugar, which is the primary reason why most people get fat.”
Healthline confirms that refined starch can contribute to weight gain and other health issues, due to its high glycemic index and lack of essential nutrients.
Refined starches, such as white bread, white rice and many cereals, are quickly digested which can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels.
As Dr Berg explained, this can cause hunger and cravings, potentially leading to overeating and weight gain. Additionally, refined starches often lack fibre and other beneficial nutrients, making them “empty calories”.
The expert concluded: “Read your labels and avoid starches, and watch how much healthier you become.”
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