Marlana Malerich is the Co-Founder and Sustainable Food Systems Researcher at the Rooted Research Collective (RRC). Marlana, poised to begin her PhD at Sussex University, has spent the last six months focused on ultra-processed foods and plant-based meat alternatives. She joins the show to unpack the complexities of defining and understanding ultra-processed foods through systems like NOVA and Nutri-Score.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- The NOVA nutritional framework vs the Nutri-score system
- The history behind hyper palatability of ultra-processed foods – and its link with tobacco companies
- Issues with moisture sorting affecting shelf life and texture
- Pros and cons between plant-based and animal-based products
- Balancing your diet while navigating the complexity of food classification systems
Jump to:
(03:50) Negative effects of globally distributed junk food.
(08:18) Focus on alternative proteins, and challenges with food advertising.
(11:07) Media focusing on ultra-processed foods labeling.
(14:38) Ultra-processed foods are designed for overconsumption.
(20:07) Plant-based options vary in nutrition quality.
(23:39 Reminding myself to appreciate being here alive.
(26:50) Featured artist and song
(29:09) This episode’s Mantra
Featured Artist and Song:
Deep Mind by ROBMON
Links mentioned in this episode:
‘Nutrition and health. The issue is not food, nor nutrients, so much as processing’ by Carlos A Monteiro
‘The Impact of Transnational ‘‘Big Food’’ Companies on the South: A View from Brazil’ by Carlos A Monteiro
‘Ultra-processed foods: how functional is the NOVA system?’ by Véronique Braesco, et al
'Hyper-Palatable Foods: Development of a Quantitative Definition and Application to the US Food System Database' by Tera L. Fazzino
Is the Ultra-processed Food (UPF) concept useful, and for what goals?
‘Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses’ by Melissa M Lane et al
‘Food Politics’ by Marion Nestle
Alabora (Foxall Pale Blue Remix) by Beyhude, music was chosen by Marlana Malerich
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