Ultra-Processed Women: The Lies We're Fed About What We Eat and How to Break Free

by Milli Hill

Why is no one talking about this?We’ve all heard about the impact of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

But what about the unique and often devastating impact of UPFs on women’s health?

In Ultra-Processed Women, acclaimed journalist Milli Hill lays bare the hidden cost of these seemingly harmless foods. UPFs

· exacerbate PMS and menopause symptoms,

· contribute to unwanted weight gain,

· and increase the risk of depression, obesity and female cancers.

Blending powerful storytelling with cutting-edge research, this book puts women at the centre of this urgent conversation and challenges us to rethink the foods we consume on a day-to-day basis. It cuts through the noise so that we can take back control and make empowered decisions about our diet and health.

It is the ultimate guide to understanding the true impact of what we eat – and how to change.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Audiobook, Nutrition, Feminism, Food, Self Help

399 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2025

About the author

Milli Hill is a journalist, author and the founder of the Positive Birth Movement. Her first book, The Positive Birth Book, was published in March 2017 to wide acclaim, immediately becoming an Amazon bestseller and remaining one of the most popular books for pregnant women ever since. In August 2020 her second book, Give Birth Like a Feminist, was published by Harper Collins and has since been widely featured in the UK media including the BBC. The book seeks to spark debate about childbirth as an overlooked feminist issue, and urges women to reclaim their bodily autonomy in birth in line with the #metoo movement. In 2021 her book My Period, a puberty guide for preteen girls was published by Wren and Rook (Hachette). In 2025 her 4th book Ultra Processed Women was published by Harper Collins. Milli speaks regularly at international events and conferences and has appeared on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 2, BBC 5 Live and talkradio. She has written extensively for the Telegraph, Guardian, Independent, ipaper and more about issues connected to motherhood, birth, and women's rights and autonomy. She now writes a bestselling substack WHAT ABOUT WOMEN, and is launching another substack, Unprocess, about how diet is key to health. Milli lives in rural Somerset with her partner and three children. Her 5th non fiction will be published in 2026.

Reviews

[Verity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required reading! This works as a stand-alone, as well as a companion piece to Ultra Processed People. I’ve been cooking from scratch for several years now, but I would encourage any women to read this and spread the word far and wide about how the corrupt profit-centric food industry disproportionately affects women’s health and fertility. Break up with Ben & Jerry!

[Monika Armet · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the author argues that we, as humans, have lost our connection to food. It’s not something we cherish anymore; it’s something that’s wrapped in plastic, sitting on the supermarket shelf, waiting to be picked up by us. We buy it, heat it up in the microwave, eat it, and the cycle continues.

Before I began reading this book, I was slightly confused about the definitions of processed and ultra-processed food. Processed foods mean foods that have been changed from their natural state by various methods, like chopping or washing. A good example are tinned/frozen fruits and vegetables or cheeses.

Ultra-processed foods (or UPFs) go through more transformations, and they usually contain artificial colourings, flavours, and preservatives. Milli Hill describes ultra-processed foods as something that resembles food, but it isn’t food – it’s factory-made, on a huge scale. She urges everyone to read food labels, and, on the ingredients list, if you see items that aren’t food (words like ‘stabilisers’ or ’emulsifiers’), then that food is ultra-processed.

UPFs are harmful to everyone, but particularly to women’s health. They cause obesity, which then causes further damage like an increased link to certain types of cancer, mental health issues, heart disease, and even a greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Research has shown that women are emotional eaters, and when they are stressed or anxious, they turn to food. And that food is most likely UPFs: cakes, chocolates, crisps, and biscuits.

I found this book scary but then extremely thought-provoking and very well researched.

I liked how there are various sections detailing how UPFs can be harmful, but I really appreciated the advice towards the end of the book. There is a section informing us of what foods to store in our cupboards and what to avoid, and also how to make some changes to our diet. I really liked the recipes, too, and I will be trying out some of them.

A very informative read! If you’re going to read a non-fiction book, make sure it’s this one.

[Elle K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to listen to - well-structured, not dull (as some non-fiction can be), consistently engaging. An accessible intro onto what UPF is, as well as a comprehensive overview onto the potential effects on women specifically.

I wish more data was available tbh? Hopefully more research on the effects of UPF will put women at the forefront??

[Ashleigh Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not vastly different from Ultra-Processed People but I do appreciate the focus on how it impacts women!

[Becca Inglis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I now want everyone I know to read this book. It has already changed how I feel about UPF and has motivated me to continue on the journey that van Tulleken started with Ultra Processed People. Best book I've read this year!

[Phyllis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book sparked my interest as women are very rarely included, let alone the centre of attention, when it comes to the impact of ultra processed food on our health. The content was interesting however, it felt as though the author had no first-hand knowledge on the topic and instead just compiled a bunch of random thoughts and things she read online. It did not read as a well-researched account or include significant citations. For a book on ultra-processed food, I expected something that was much better organized and provided greater detail on the health impacts to women.

The chapters were quite poorly organized and did not seem to flow well into each other. There was very little information to be consume; it felt like reading a podcast script. If you’ve read other health books, especially if they were written by Doctors or Nutritionists, this book is bound to disappoint you. If you follow a plant-based diet, the subtle disrespect to veganism may also rub you the wrong way. If you think women can handle more than just ‘stop eating margarine,’ you probably could find a better book.

I think these books are better when written by experts in the field but that’s just me. I really appreciate that a book like this has been written and hope future accounts include better research and first-hand insight.

[Danni The Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed this read. This was such an insightful read about ultra processed food, what it actually means for food to be processed and how is it made in a processed way. I learnt so much about different processed ingredients that make our food ultra processed, and how this can affect our health. I personally think that most problems that us humans suffer does come down to the food that we eat.

I myself suffer with IBS and have found the ingredient Maltodexterin is a huge irritant to me and makes me very unwell. It was good to see this was mentioned in this book, and I hope that other people are aware of ingredients such as this, and can make the right healthy changes for them.

Some helpful tips for myself personally:
I have learnt that sour dough is probably the healthiest out of all breads on the market. Although I don't eat a lot of bread, we have now switched over to sourdough in our household.

Processed meat is terrible for you. I have learnt about "meat glue" which is used to stick all that processed meat together. We are now slowly getting rid of processed meat and switching over to more organic, fresh meat

Grated cheese is highly processed, compared to a block of cheese. Extra ingredients' are used to keep the cheese whilst grated. Although we only buy this occasionally, we will not be buying at all now.

Most yogurts claim to be healthy, but are full of gums and extra flavourings. I am now looking into the ingredients in the yogurts I pick up and looking for healthier options.

This wont be the same for everyone, but I have found this book very insightful and would like to change my eating habits. I have also looked online for recipes without any ultra processed food in them, and I am really looking forward to using these.

Loved this! Big changes are coming

[Angela Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have become much more interested in healthy eating as I have got older so I couldn’t wait to read this book.

It was so interesting and has definitely taught me to be so much more aware when choosing and cooking food for myself and my family. The recipes were really helpful and my shopping list each week is now totally different with a focus on much more fresh food.

I would recommend this book to all women as I think it’s definitely a must read and the resources at the end of the book are so helpful.

Thanks to NetGalley, Milli Hill and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Sophie Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, however if you read Ultra-Processed People then you won’t find a lot of new information, despite the title I found that the author didn’t focus on women’s health as much as I’d like, instead focused on what men get that we don’t/how much were overlooked. The thing is, most of us know it already, but writing a whole book about it and using a language that is meant to enrage you, rather than giving us a female-focused Ultra-Processed People didn’t work for me… shame

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read ultra-processed people, this is a fantastic addition. There isn’t lots of crossover in terms of the science behind why UPF is terrible for health so I would suggest reading UPP first. However, this covers a much broader range of topics - focusing mainly on women, fertility and weight etc but also on the environmental impact, how the dismissal of women and the environment are entwined and how we as individuals can change this.

[Sally Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit like a companion to Chris VT’s ultra processed people, but with the female body and position in society in mind. Really clearly explained and I would recommend to every woman - it will change the way you look at food and what you put in your mouth.

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a life changing read! I came across this book to find relief for my annoying PMS and now I'm planning on getting a head start on menopause relief! The fact that simply reducing or eliminating ultra-processed food from a women's diet can alleviate her symptoms of depression makes me want to eat all the more healthier. The feminist in me also has joy in turning my back on period eating of junk food.

[Anouk · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good refuel for my disgust and sense of urgency, tho the subjective, often bitter tone sometimes clouds the facts and findings

[Gretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hyper-palatable book!

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative. Necessary. Realistic suggestions.

[Amalah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting exploration of the way UPF affects the female body. In particular, a women’s mental health, menstrual experience, menopausal symptoms, cardiovascular disease, vaginal health, PMS symptoms etc. I particularly enjoyed the practical aspects of the book towards the latter end which involved recipes and practical suggestions on how to reduce UPF

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, you don’t realise how much crap you eat till you read the ingredients! The Western countries' food supplies are outrageous, and the amount of stuff we consume that isn’t right for our bodies honestly makes me sick.

Hill did an excellent job of explaining the various food categories and what we should be consuming. Much of it is common knowledge; for instance, we know that eating at McDonald's or grabbing a cake from the shop isn’t beneficial for our health. However, we often choose the easy option, and as a result, our bodies suffer for it. From hormone imbalances and autoimmune conditions to mental health and fertility, she explains it all! I’m going to be recommending this to every woman I know.

Thank you to Netgalley and Rachel Quin for my ARC.

[Mana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recent discussions about nutrition and health have moved beyond surface-level advice and started to address the broader consequences of ultra-processed foods, especially for women.

Milli Hill’s Ultra-Processed Women stands out by uncovering the overlooked effects of these foods on women’s bodies and minds. While popular culture often frames dietary choices as simply a matter of willpower or wellness trends, Hill brings attention to research on connections between ultra-processed foods and issues ranging from hormonal disruption to mental health challenges and even neurodegenerative diseases. Her approach, direct and relatable, is aimed at challenging not just eating habits but the entire system that pushes these products onto women.

Hill’s writing is notable for its conversational style, presenting dense research and cultural critique in a way that is easy for readers to absorb and apply. She moves beyond the usual nutrition tropes, arguing that the prevalence of ultra-processed foods is not a matter of individual weakness but a consequence of targeted marketing and structural inequalities. The book frequently references the deliberate strategies by the food industry to appeal specifically to women, like the “pink it and shrink it” tactic. These marketing efforts often exacerbate existing health inequities by disguising harmful products in supposedly empowering or convenient packaging.

The author draws on new studies linking ultra-processed foods with a variety of health outcomes that go beyond gastrointestinal discomfort. For instance, she points to research indicating potential connections with menstrual pain, mood disorders, and cognitive decline. Hill’s critique also addresses the intersection of nutrition with broader economic and environmental systems.

One of the book’s strengths is that it avoids shaming the reader. Instead, Hill offers practical advice for regaining autonomy in the face of an often-predatory food environment. She emphasizes that resistance is possible without expensive or impractical gestures.

Ultra-Processed Women reframes the conversations around food and health for women, linking personal wellbeing with systemic critique. Hill’s work echoes arguments in literature on health equity and mental health that call for nuanced, empathetic, and actionable approaches to complex challenges.

By situating individual choices within larger marketing, economic, and cultural forces, Hill provides a handbook for change that feels both supportive and motivating. This book stands apart from generic nutrition guides, encouraging readers to see shifts in their relationship with food as both practical and political acts, empowering rather than punitive.

The relevance of her insights is reinforced by the growing recognition, across fields, that addressing wellbeing requires more than technical fixes; it demands genuine attention to collective and lived experience.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman should read this book. (Actually, every human should read this book). I have been interested in Ultra Processed Food for some time now, and have read a few books on the subject. 'Ultra-Processed Women' taught me stuff I didn't know, but more than that, it was tailored towards how UPF affects women in particular. And what Hill has discovered is truly disturbing. I had no idea about UPF in cosmetics, and now I will be very careful what I buy. I am already eating as well as I can, but Hill explained how UPF disrupts so much of the female body, and I am now committed even more to being careful what I put in, and on, my body. The book is so easy to read, so relatable, so very important.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to Chris Van Tulleken’s Ultra-Processed People a couple of years ago, and I remember finding it equal parts interesting and terrifying.

Fast forward a few years: we know so much more now, but UPF is still everywhere. Milli Hill wrote a really readable book, Ultra-Processed Women, that looks at all of this specifically through a female lens.

I’ve highlighted quite a few bits (some general points, some female-specific). It’s been a good, thoughtful read.

A few of those highlighted paragraphs:

> Cadbury's Dairy Milk marketed itself for decades with the image of a 'glass & a half of milk in every bar', but read the small print and you'll find that this translates to 426ml of milk in every 227g of chocolate. Look closer: 426ml is about two highball glasses; 227g is the weight of more than four individual bars. So that's less than 100ml of milk per bar - about half a champagne flute. I'm not sure which type of glass Cadbury's was working from. In 2010, EU regulations meant Cadbury's had to stop using the words 'glass & a half of milk' on its wrappers, but interestingly it was allowed to keep the image

> The vast majority of celebrity chefs are male, and over 75 per cent of professional chefs are male. Quitting or reducing UPF is going to mean men bringing some of those talents into the home kitchen. As well as this, corporations need to step up. At the time of writing, the CEO of every major global food company in the world is a man. These companies need to listen to women and offer us solutions for the family table that are time-saving without being toxic.

> If we then present to the doctor with our 'unlucky' story of severe period pain, we may find it being dismissed as something women simply have to put up with. Underlying conditions notoriously take a long time to diagnose - 7.5 years in the case of endometriosis - and women often report feeling fobbed off by medical professionals. Another common issue, heavy periods (officially known as menorrhagia), gets similar treatment - they are, according to current NHS advice, 'common and may just be normal for you. In other words, unlucky.

> From cradle to grave we women are taught to believe that to be female is to suffer; from the pain and inconvenience of periods, to the burden of pregnancy, to the horrors of menopause, our bodies are blamed for everything. Part of the solution to this lies in calling out a medical system that simultaneously pathologizes the female body and fails to properly understand it. When I spoke to Ina Schuppe Koistinen, Associate Professor at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, about the vaginal microbiome, she put it to me quite succinctly: 'The stark contrast between the millions spent on researching erectile dysfunction and the chronic underfunding of women's health is staggering. It's a clear reflection of societal priorities - while billions have been invested in solving one very specific issue, conditions like endometriosis, PCOS and the vaginal microbiome, affecting millions of women, remain critically under-researched.
It's time we recognized that women's health deserves at least the same level of attention and funding. We need to keep calling for this to happen, but while we wait for systemic change, it seems we could potentially make a big, positive impact on many of the conditions we accept as just part of the raw deal of being female, simply by turning our back on UPF.

> The sidelining of women's health issues and the sidelining of older women makes for a menopause Venn diagram so overlapping it's basically a circle. For a long time, menopause received barely any focus from either science or culture, and it's only in recent years that this has started to change. Menopause has become a trending topic - and a lucrative market, with business positively booming in everything from new forms of HRT to ridiculous products like UPF 'Menopause chocolate'. The focus often seems to be on capitalizing on women's suffering rather than alleviating it. One American headline from 2024 sums it up: This overlooked corner of women's health could be a $350 billion market opportunity!

> With all food, a good general rule is: eat the best you can afford.

[Olga · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, Milli. We were so close.

Ultra-Processed Women is one of those books that makes you nod furiously… until suddenly you’re clutching your forehead and muttering “why are we doing this?” into the void.

Let me be fair first, because the core premise is solid. As someone who’s already inhaled Ultra-Processed People, I loved the idea of a companion book centred on women’s bodies - hormones, PMS, peri-menopause, fertility, mental health, cardiovascular risk, the whole messy biological orchestra that UPFs absolutely worsen. On that front, Hill delivers. She outlines the specific vulnerabilities women face, the metabolic chaos UPFs trigger, and how our stress-eating patterns make us prime targets for the food industry. All of that? Fascinating. Necessary. Important.

But here’s the problem. Science books are like soup: add too much ideological seasoning and suddenly it tastes like the inside of Twitter.

And this book? Baby, it is over-seasoned.

I can forgive the absent citations (though I deeply dislike it - women deserve real data, not vibes), I can forgive the recycled content from UP People, I can even forgive the slightly condescending tone in places.

What I cannot forgive is the ideological detours that feel like someone crashed a Democratic Party meeting into the middle of what should have been evidence-based health writing.

Examples include:

• A confidently incorrect theological claim that “God is a man.”
Catholic Catechism 239: “God is neither man nor woman. He is God.”
So not only unnecessary… just factually wrong.

• Pages of “if women ran all farms, society would be healed,” as though the agricultural future of the planet hinges on ovaries.

• A general anti-men fog that hangs over the whole text like a passive-aggressive scented candle. I’m here to discuss endocrine disruptors, not hear how tyrannical men are responsible for emulsifiers in supermarket bread.

This is where she lost me. Because UPF is an urgent, universal issue — it affects men, women, children, every socioeconomic group, every health demographic. We don’t need to wedge “woke capitalism unpacked through gender resentment” into every second paragraph.

This book should have been a 4-star companion text. But a massive portion of it isn’t nutrition science — it’s ideological soup, and honestly the aftertaste is rancid.

As someone who reads health research, teaches teens about food systems, and just wants clear, evidence-based, non-politicised writing… this was infuriating.

Without the political tangents: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
With them: ⭐⭐

Ultra-Processed Women may be about harmful ingredients, but the most harmful one here is the unnecessary ideology.

[Jenny Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This is coming from the perspective of also having read ultra processed people by Chris VT*

TLDR- Has an instructive nature and privileged viewpoint. I overall enjoyed the book very much, and found lots of new information vs other books and resources. There is more information about the effects of the UPF world (vs. Just food) on women. It was nicely written and an easy read/ listen.

1. General book vibe: This is much more of a self help book than Chris’s was. Throughout, it feels quite ‘you should do this, you shouldn’t do this’, ‘this is good, this is bad’. She uses the term ‘nasties’ and generalises some ultra processed products (e.g all frozen pizzas are UPF). I found this a little grating with the knowledge I already have, but can appreciate it comes from a place of passion and potential the author feeling a duty to support the reader in their potentially brand new journey.

2. Perspective: This is from the Perspective of a very middle class lady with access to much resource (in both time and money) and although acknowledged, I can imaging people with less resource, finding this a challenge. For example, the last chapter is all on ‘how to stock your cupboard’ and easy recipes. She explains that you only need 1 or 2 bits of cookwear and can batch freeze and keep things cheap, but doesn’t seem to truly appreciate that it’s not necessarily possible for everyone.

3. Content: I would say about 30-40% of the book shares content with Ultra processed people (she’s not afraid to mention his book which is nice) and about 60-70% was different or more in-depth information about women- specific products and pains, and exploring the wider UPF world and environmental impacts. I think I was hoping and expecting more women-specific information at times, but was also pleasantly suprised by how much more she goes into the world of UPF and the environment.

The book talks about period products, the menopause, PCOS, endometriosis, pregnancy etc, and a lot of time is spent diving into other activities that are statistically done by women more, and how lives are effected by UPF as a women, more so than a man.

The detailed discussion about environmental impacts ‘mother earth’ struck a chord with me- a really emotionally tough, but educational read, exploring things I wouldn’t have thought about.

It is well researched (and shows how shockingly-little research and science has been done in some areas). There is information in here which would be good for everyone to know.

[Jessie18 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an incredible listen! I thought I knew plenty about UPF after listening to many many Zoe podcasts, and reading work by Tim Spector etc but never have I considered the impact specifically on women. Marketing has clearly played a malicious part in telling us we “don’t need to cook”, and our kids will be healthy eating these branded “organic” UPF rubbish.

My takeaways are:
- Menopause or the word menopause doesn’t exist in many countries; symptoms are non-existent…while I’m sure genetics plays a part, it cannot be a coincidence that these countries do not have UPFs and subsequently their influence on women’s hormones (oestrogen primarily)

- More research is needed to understand the impact of UPFs in diet and PCOS, reducing the symptoms of endometriosis and improving fertility issues. It’s far too simplistic (and insulting frankly) for a GP to say “go on a diet” for those with fertility problems particularly for those that have struggled with this their entire life, but also because of women’s clear (biological perhaps) tendency to develop eating disorders / yo-yo reward-cycles consuming UPFs when feeling low/hormonal. An absolutely vicious cycle which needs more consideration in research and government action to address by tackling UPFs but also making non-UPF food more available, cheaper and support for those that absolutely don’t cook to understand how to.

I appreciate I do need to read the research myself rather than taking the authors words as gospel. I also think that parts of the book, whilst interesting, were not related to UPFs. We’d all love to buy organic produce, buy PDO extra virgin olive oil, support local farmers by buying free range organic meat and eggs directly, but the reality is the average family absolutely cannot afford that!

It was touched upon that mothers of young children already feel this overwhelming pressure to have a career, balance marriage or a relationship, kids, managing a home and cooking. Making it harder by saying that not only can you not buy convenience foods that you’ve been marketed to all your life (and your children’s lives), you now must find a way to buy all of this expensive stuff and replace all your plastic with glass. This is not really helping with the guilt! But I guess it’s us as readers to decipher what small changes we can make now that we didn’t consider yesterday, rather than attacking the entire massive problem.

[Madison Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ultra Processed Women is a compelling and important read.

🌟 Star 1 – Evidence-based clarity: The book does an excellent job grounding its arguments in science and evidence. It weaves together research, statistics, and personal stories in a way that feels both credible and accessible. This helps readers really understand what “ultra-processed foods” (UPFs) are, and why they matter.

🌟 Star 2 – Empowering awareness: One of the strongest elements is the awareness it raises about how deeply UPFs are embedded in our food system and our everyday lives. It encourages critical thinking about diet, health, and society, while making the information approachable rather than overwhelming.

✨ A Wish – More balance in delivery: While the book acknowledges that a completely UPF-free life isn’t possible for everyone, I wished for a little more emphasis on practical balance—offering reassurance, flexible strategies, or examples for readers who may not have the resources, time, or circumstances to drastically reduce UPFs. At times, it also leaned a little heavily on statistics, which, while important, occasionally interrupted the flow of the narrative.

Overall, this is a thoughtful, evidence-based, and highly readable book that sparks both awareness and conversation. A 5-star contribution to the discussion of food, health, and society.

[Bzz Kolla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and HQ for this eCopy to review

Ultra-Processed Women by Milli Hill, is a revelation. Hill takes a hard, unflinching look at the ultra-processed food industry and its specific, often overlooked impact on women’s health. From hormone imbalances and autoimmune conditions to mental health and fertility, she lays out the science in a way that’s both accessible and deeply personal. It’s not just about what we eat, it’s about how the food system has been shaped to exploit women’s bodies and choices.

What struck me most was how empowering it felt. Hill doesn’t just sound the alarm she hands you the tools to break free. Her writing is sharp, grounded, and full of righteous fire, but also incredibly practical. She offers real steps to reclaim your health, your kitchen, and your autonomy, without guilt or shame.

Reading this felt like a wake-up call and a rallying cry all at once. If you’ve ever felt out of sync with your body and wondered if your diet might be part of the story, this book is for you. It’s bold, brilliant, and absolutely essential. I’ll be recommending it to every woman I know.

[Haxxunne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduction for all humans to consider what they consume
—
In this call-to-arms to anybody interested in what they do to their own bodies, Hill uses the self-help format to give an introduction to the science, medical effects, and the design of modern edible products. Hill also mentions van Tulleken’s Ultra Processed People, so I would consider these as companion books, both shining the light on the military industrial complex that benefits from taking the food that humans need and turning them into highly designed, immaculately preserved facsimiles that are edible but do not exactly feed us.

Packed full of information and, yes, written from a slightly privileged position, this book is at least trying to fix a broken system. Written in a clear and friendly tone, it is a polemic, not a discourse, given that the other side, the small number of international conglomerates that own global food production, have paid lobbyists at government level, have shareholders seeking return on investment, and, at the end of the day, are pitiless machines for making money. It’s not a perfect book, but it is a book that needs to be read to be believed.

[Fiona Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptionally good and useful book, written in a very accessible style that doesn't preach, but offers helpful advice and guidance. I listened to Milli Hill reading it via Audible and it was like reading a fast-paced thriller as I was continually looking forward to my next car journey to hear more and more. If you know a lot about ultra-processed food, then this will back up your knowledge with research. If you know nothing, then it guides you carefully through the issues, including what is or isn't UPF. But what might be new to all is the focus on the impact of UPF on women. This book demonstrates that, when it comes to what we eat, our sex is important. Part way through the book and the focus was on periods and PCOS and mental health - lightbulb moment for me and I immediately bought a copy for someone I knew who I thought would benefit from this knowledge. It is not presented as the answer to everything for everyone in terms of UPF, life can get in the way of best intentions etc., but it was a major eye-opener for me and I am now carefully looking at labels!

[Caixa Catalunia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the Ultra Processed People book and I feel that its author was much more qualified to talk about this issue. It opened my eyes to how messed up the food system is in the UK.

It might be that I didn’t learn as much from this one. I really like the chapter on feeding children and I appreciated the author’s honesty that she regretted not having a more aware approach when she started weaning her little ones. I appreciated handling head on the argument that everything is good in moderation often used by people who take their 1 yo McDonald’s and believe that their diet is still balanced because among all the rubbish UPF there will be still some overcooked vegetables.

But I found a lot on this book repetitive, the same information on Microbiome was all over the place. Some arguments were super stretched (Earth is female so we should look after it) and quite a few things in the section on how to avoid UPFs and improve nutrition simply missed.

I don’t understand how can you dedicate the whole section of the book on how soya is bad for the planet and only mention in passing that the majority of it is fed to livestock. I don’t understand how can you present strong opinion on not eating plant based meat substitutes but not saying anything about meat consumption or presenting UPF desserts as potentially a compromise.

The weakest section for me was the guidance on how to eat better. Maybe because my starting point is already pretty good. But nevertheless, if someone decides to suggest consuming more Mediterranean diet, they should research it a little better. For example, many families in Italy or Spain don’t skip deserts but eat yoghurt or fruit. It seems to be a British thing to believe everything needs to be chock full of sugar to consider it a dessert.

[Sheila Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hill is definitely targeting a younger or naïve audience and young mothers. Hence the final section of the book on shopping and recipes.
There is lot of interesting stuff - particularly the chapter on pregnancy, baby formula and children’s food. I shouldn’t have been as shocked as I was to hear about the proportion of UPF in school lunches. UPF-rich dieting products are generally aimed at women. In addition to UPF this book addresses other processed materials including cosmetics and plastics. Much attention is paid to feminine issues including pregnancy, babies and children, preeclampsia, morning sickness, menopause, gut microbiome and vaginal microbiome. Useful section on forever chemicals (PFAS) in cosmetics, sanitary products, cooking utensils and food wrapping.
Good to see topics such as production of palm oil, soya beans and corn (for corn syrup) all of which are widely used in UPF but which also cause serious environmental problems. Hill even mentions soil! Perhaps this book will bring these issues to a new audience.

[A Bookworm Crafts · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Ultra-Processed Women, Milli Hill builds on the growing body of research into UPFs to explore how this modern way of eating intersects specifically with women’s bodies (hormones, mental health, fertility, and ageing), while also addressing the wider social, environmental, and political forces that shape what ends up on our plates.

Although I have read many books on ultra-processed food, I particularly enjoyed the way this book centres women’s experiences in an area of health research that has traditionally treated the male body as the default. For me, the real strength of this book lies in reframing existing research through a feminist and lived-experience perspective to contribute to the conversation around food and health. It encourages readers to question not just what they eat, but who benefits from current food systems, and offers practical steps for making changes.

A recommended read for fans of Ultra-Processed People, Michael Pollan's books, and those who want to know more about the food we eat and how it affects our bodies.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.