{"id":73714,"date":"2025-05-04T11:24:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-04T11:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/73714\/"},"modified":"2025-05-04T11:24:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-04T11:24:17","slug":"the-family-favourite-foods-killing-thousands-of-us-every-year-revealed-as-top-gp-shares-life-saving-swaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/73714\/","title":{"rendered":"The family-favourite foods killing thousands of us every year revealed – as top GP shares \u2018life-saving\u2019 swaps"},"content":{"rendered":"

WHOLEGRAIN bread, low fat yoghurts and baked crisps – all healthy, right?<\/p>\n

Not necessarily, experts warn, because they can all be classified as ultra-processed foods (UPFs<\/a>). So, how can you tell if the foods in your cupboards are posing a danger to your family? <\/p>\n

\"Woman<\/a><\/p>\n

12<\/p>\n

Almost all food is processed to some extent, but UPFs usually contain five or more ingredients you wouldn\u2019t find in your kitchenCredit: Getty\"Portrait<\/a><\/p>\n

12<\/p>\n

Dr Camilla Stokholm, GP and author of What Your Doctor Eats, shares the worst culprits – and how to reduce your intakeCredit: Supplied<\/p>\n

These mass-produced products now make up 54 per cent of our diets, but they could have detrimental effects on our health.<\/p>\n

A study by Central Queensland University – based on information from 10million people worldwide – linked UPFs to an increased risk of 32 health conditions, including diabetes<\/a>, heart disease<\/a> and cancer.<\/p>\n

Separate research published in the American Journal Of Preventive Medicine this week warned they contribute to 18,000 early deaths in England every year.<\/p>\n

Almost all food is processed to some extent, but UPFs <\/a>usually contain five or more ingredients you wouldn\u2019t find in your kitchen, such as artificial sweeteners, colourings, preservatives and emulsifiers. They also tend to be high in fat, sugar and salt, and low in fibre.<\/p>\n

Dr Camilla Stokholm, GP<\/a> and author of What Your Doctor Eats, shares the worst culprits – and how to reduce your intake\u2026<\/p>\n

“UPFs are \u2018food-like substances\u2019 and we have been unsuspecting guinea pigs in their use.<\/p>\n

“These products are nutritionally depleted compared to whole foods, and they appear to rewire our brain\u2019s pleasure centres, driving addictive behaviour.<\/p>\n

“They seem to cleverly circumvent our satiety mechanisms, meaning they don\u2019t stimulate fullness but make us more hungry.<\/p>\n

“I feel disgusted by UPFs, and the more time you spend thinking about them, you will too.<\/p>\n

“The most problematic ones I suggest you avoid are…”<\/p>\n

Can drinking nothing but fizzy water for two weeks really help me shed my excess weightARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS\"Close-up<\/a><\/p>\n

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Diet drinks with artificial sweeteners show no difference when it comes to halting obesity, research has foundCredit: Getty<\/p>\n

THESE get sneaked into most sweet UPFs. Not only do they directly harm your gut microbiome, they make you gain weight.<\/p>\n

Studies comparing sugary drinks with diet versions show no difference when it comes to preventing obesity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Why? Because they still stimulate your insulin and make you feel hungry, especially for high-sugar foods.<\/p>\n

KIDS\u2019 MENUS\"Chicken<\/a><\/p>\n

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Kids’ menus at restaurants is often just chicken nuggets and pizzasCredit: Getty<\/p>\n

WHAT you feed your children directly moulds their future health.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, we have a culture of feeding them ‘kid’s menu’ food – think chicken nuggets and pizzas.<\/p>\n

Up to 70 per cent of the calories British children consume now come from UPFs; this is a missed opportunity to protect them from disease later in life.<\/p>\n

CRISPS\"Potato<\/a><\/p>\n

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Crisps do not make us feel full and trigger a hunger hormone spikeCredit: Getty<\/p>\n

BRITS eat more crisps than anyone else in the world, and this is a real problem.<\/p>\n

They do nothing to stimulate our fullness mechanism and ironically trigger a hunger hormone spike.<\/p>\n

Crisps should be a party food we enjoy as a treat.<\/p>\n

SAUSAGES\"Grilled<\/a><\/p>\n

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Eating ultra-processed meats such as sausages has been linked to dementia and heart diseaseCredit: Getty<\/p>\n

WE know ultra-processed meats like ham and sausages increase our risk of bowel cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Research has also shown links to dementia<\/a>, diabetes and heart disease, so I’m not sure why anyone still eats them!<\/p>\n

BREAD\"Toast<\/a><\/p>\n

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Supermarket breads are often ultra-processed – go to a trusted breaker instead!Credit: Getty<\/p>\n

MOST supermarket breads are UPFs and a missed opportunity for what can be a nutrient dense food.<\/p>\n

I bake bread myself or go to a trusted baker, who will use minimal ingredients.<\/p>\n

What food do you need for a healthy diet?<\/p>\n

IF you want to have good health, a good way to start is from your diet.<\/p>\n

The Eatwell Guide<\/a>\u00a0shows that to have a healthy, balanced diet, people should try to:<\/p>\n