A leading nutritional scientist and doctor has revealed the two items she strictly prohibits her children from consuming. Dr Federica Amati, acclaimed author of “Every Body Should Know This” and chief nutritionist at health science company Zoe, co-founded by Tim Spector, is a mother to two daughters with her model spouse Paul Sculfor.
In a candid discussion with The Times, Dr Amati shared her commitment to keeping ultra-processed foods at bay in her household, highlighting two particular products that are completely off-limits.
Dr Amati was unequivocal about her stance on cola drinks, stating: “I don’t see any benefit to drinking a cola at any point in life. That’s something that I’m very black and white about. I don’t see any reason for even trying them. Fizzy drinks are the worst ultra-processed food [UPF] that exist. Full of artificial additives, full of sugar. It’s insane how bad they are.”
Her firm approach extends to flavoured yoghurts as well. She explained: “Children’s yoghurts have some of the highest sugar content in the food industry. I’ve got two daughters and it’s really important that they have a good relationship with food. I grew up in an Italian household. I’ve always thought of food as a pleasure. There’s no ‘good food’ or ‘bad food’. It’s all part of the food culture. I don’t make my own sourdough.”
“I don’t have my own kefir grains on the go. I’m not home-making everything. What I do have is an environment in my home where the majority of the food is whole food.”, reports Gloucestershire Live.
In recent decades, the rates of bowel cancer, also known as colon or colorectal cancer, have seen a decline in individuals over 65. However, there has been a stark increase of at least 50 per cent in people under 50, with deaths from the disease predicted to be a third higher this year than in 2018.
A variety of factors could be contributing to this trend, but the primary suspicion falls on our diet, particularly ultra-processed food.
There is growing evidence suggesting a connection between colon cancer and disruption of our gut microbiome, the ecosystem of microbes residing in our intestines. Certain specific microbes might play a crucial role in the initial development of cancer.
On processed food Dr Amati explained: “The key is to follow a ‘minimally processed whole food diet’. That means buying groceries as opposed to buying food products.
“Buying the original thing, whether it’s fresh, tinned, frozen or dried. If we use that to make the majority of our meals, then we’re in a place where the additional snack that we might grab or the dessert we’re enjoying with friends becomes a minority of our dietary pattern, an occasional addition.
“Once you start eating more of the foods that are good for you, you’re less likely to want to eat a whole Galaxy bar.”