The Drip by AQUALAB: Ultra-processed food with guest Marlana Malerich

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 Connect with the show AQUALAB Zachary Cartwright, PhD