Unprocessed, Kimberley Wilson
Unprocessed, Kimberley Wilson
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Unprocessed
How the Food We Eat Is Fuelling Our Mental Health Crisis

Author: Kimberley Wilson

Narrator: Kimberley Wilson

Unabridged: 9 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Virgin Audio

Published: 02/23/2023


Synopsis

Brought to you by Penguin.

We all know that as a nation our mental health is in crisis. But what most don't know is that a critical ingredient in this debate, and a crucial part of the solution - what we eat - is being ignored.

Nutrition has more influence on what we feel, who we become and how we behave than we could ever have imagined. It affects everything from our decision-making to aggression and violence. Yet mental health disorders are overwhelmingly treated as 'mind' problems as if the physical brain - and how we feed it - is irrelevant. Someone suffering from depression is more likely to be asked about their relationship with their mother than their relationship with food.

In this eye-opening and impassioned book, psychologist Kimberley Wilson draws on startling new research - as well as her own work in prisons, schools and hospitals around the country - to reveal the role of food and nutrients in brain development and mental health: from how the food a woman eats during pregnancy influences the size of her baby's brain, and hunger makes you mean; to how nutrient deficiencies change your personality.

We must also recognise poor nutrition as a social injustice, with the poorest and most vulnerable being systematically ignored. We need to talk about what our food is doing to our brains. And we need decisive action, not over rehearsed soundbites and empty promises, from those in power - because if we don't, things can only get worse.

© Kimberley WIlson 2023 (P) Penguin Audio 2023

About Kimberley Wilson

Kimberley Wilson is a Chartered Psychologist who has worked for the NHS as well as in a private practice. She hosts a fortnightly podcast called 'Stronger Minds' where she discusses topics related to food, lifestyle, psychology and mental health. She has a Harley Street private practice, Monumental Health, which integrates lifestyle interventions into psychological therapy. Kimberley has launched her own series of 'Ask the Expert' seminars and has just been signed up to write a food and mental health column for Delicious magazine. She is also the host of Radio 4 series Made of Stronger Stuff alongside Dr Xand van Tulleken.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Erica on November 09, 2023

This is easily my most impactful read of the year. Maybe the most important book I’ve read- period. Before reading, I considered myself to be “mostly healthy” and understood the importance of eating whole, unprocessed foods. What I didn’t know about was apparently an entire body of research that ide......more

Goodreads review by Ben on August 13, 2023

A book that alarms and enlightens by pulling back the curtain on the criminally protected processed food market. Corporate lobbying to keep the sugar high in children's breakfast cereal and kick stricter policy off government agendas should come as no surprise, but still shocks. Profit over public he......more

Goodreads review by Alanna on March 20, 2023

I adored How to Build A Healthy Brain and was hoping for more of the same with an emphasis on how ultra processed food impacts us, but this was too public policy focused for me to enjoy. I found the parts I was interested in - on the connection between nutrition and the mind - were very short, but s......more

Goodreads review by Elainedav on July 31, 2024

I came to this book as a follow up to the books Ultra Processed People and Food for Life, as it was recommended on a facebook site related to reducing ultra processed foods (UPFs). Unorocessed is a really fascinating read. The author focusses on how nutrient rich food is needed for brain development......more

Goodreads review by Kim on November 04, 2023

A book everyone needs to read. The brain is an organ. It needs to be well-nourished otherwise things turn to custard. Not literally. After reading this I made changes to what I eat, and I feel better for it. Kimberley Wilson is a clear, passionate and highly informative writer. Grab yourself a copy an......more


Quotes

This is a really important book - identifying one of the most alarming ways that our poor diet hurts us. Our brains are as severely affected as our bodies. Packed with science, hope and a clear demand for much needed change. Chris van Tulleken

A powerful book that breaks down the dangerous beliefs that food is just fuel and delivers an important message we can all get behind - eat for your body and your brain! With a mental health crisis on our hands and over 50% of our diets coming from UPFs the evidence Kimberley presents in this book will change lives and hopefully policy. Professor Tim Spector

Kimberley Wilson kick-starts a hugely important conversation that not many are having. A powerful read. Everybody needs to read this book. Fearne Cotton

Marks a transformation in our thinking about diets. With luck it may one day make our brains better, a development that is long overdue... an essential and urgent read. Sunday Times