Ultra-Processed People: Corporate Power and Public Health | Chris van Tulleken, MD, PhD
What are ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and why is the concept so controversial? How does a diet high in these foods affect our bodies, brains, and hormones? And how can we build effective policies to improve public health without shaming individuals or fueling disordered eating?
In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Chris van Tulleken, MD, PhD, a professor at University College London, BBC broadcaster, and author of the bestseller Ultra Process People, joins Ty to discuss the science and politics of ultra-processed foods.
Dr. van Tulleken shares the compelling results from his own self-experiment eating a diet comprised of 80% UPFs, detailing the rapid weight gain, hormonal disruption, and surprising changes in brain connectivity it caused. We explore the intense debate around the UPF definition, why industry engineering makes these products distinct from homemade food, and how corporate profit motives are a key driver of the global obesity pandemic. Dr. van Tulleken also offers a nuanced path forward for policy—one that focuses on nutrient-based warning labels, taxation, and marketing restrictions—and shares how he balances this knowledge with real life in his own family.
Highlights from the episode include:
What happened to Dr. van Tulleken’s body, appetite hormones, and brain on a one-month, 80% ultra-processed diet
The scientific and policy debates surrounding the UPF definition
How food companies engineer food for overconsumption and profit
Why a homemade brownie is not the same as a commercially produced one
Practical policy solutions, including warning labels, marketing restrictions, and taxation
The parallels between the food industry and the tobacco industry
The critical problem of industry-funded science and conflicts of interest
Navigating a "disordered food environment" without triggering disordered eating
Dr. van Tulleken brings his rigorous scientific perspective and trademark humor to one of the most polarized issues in modern nutrition, making a powerful case that we must address corporate power and the food environment to solve diet-related disease.
Find Dr. Chris van Tulleken at University College London and get his book, Ultra Process People. Connect with Dr. van Tulleken on X and Instagram.
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Bridging Research and Policy in Global Nutrition | Purnima Menon, PhD
How do we turn cutting-edge nutrition research into policies that improve people's lives? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Purnima Menon, PhD, Senior Director of Food and Nutrition Policy at IFPRI, shares her journey from reading recipe books as a child to becoming a world leader in advancing global nutrition at the intersection of science and policy.
Purnima explains why understanding people—their constraints, motivations, and contexts—is essential to creating meaningful change in food systems. We discuss the challenges of siloed thinking in nutrition, the complexities of sustainable diets, and what it takes to bridge the gap between evidence and action. Purnima brings a deeply human-centered perspective to some of the most pressing questions in food systems transformation.
Highlights from the episode include:
Why understanding people is central to all nutrition change—whether in behavior, programs, or policy
The biggest challenges facing global nutrition today and why we need to move beyond siloed solutions
How dietary choices are shaped by structural constraints at the intersection of water, energy, food, and gender
What it takes to bridge research and policy—and why both matter
The role of policy incentives and political economy in transforming food systems
Dr. Menon brings decades of experience working with influential researchers and policymakers around the world, offering a nuanced perspective that connects evidence to real-world impact. Her work reminds us that privilege comes with responsibility—and that meaningful change requires joining the dots between science, people, and policy.
Find Dr. Purnima Menon at IFPRI and connect with her on X and LinkedIn.
Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Read his publications on Google Scholar. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.
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Muscle Health, Protein, and Longevity | Stuart Phillips, PhD
How much protein do we really need? And is resistance training more important than we thought? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Stuart Phillips, PhD, renowned expert in muscle health and aging at McMaster University, breaks down the science of muscle preservation across the lifespan.
Stuart shares his evolving perspective on protein's role in building and maintaining muscle, explaining why exercise is the true driver of muscle development—and why the current Recommended Dietary Allowance may be setting the bar too low. We discuss optimal protein intake for different life stages, the nuances of plant-based versus animal-based proteins, and why strength training matters far more for longevity than most people realize.
Highlights from the episode include:
Why exercise, not protein alone, is the key to preserving muscle as we age
The difference between strength and power—and why power matters most for preventing falls and maintaining independence
Evidence-based resistance training: what works and how much time you really need to invest
The RDA for protein versus optimal intake—and why the distinction matters globally
Protein requirements across life stages: pregnancy, childhood, older adulthood
Plant-based versus animal-based proteins: separating science from ideology
Safe protein intake ranges for longevity and health
What older adults should prioritize to maintain muscle and function
Dr. Phillips brings a refreshingly balanced perspective grounded in decades of rigorous research—pushing back against both protein minimalism and protein extremism to reveal what the evidence says.
Find Dr. Stuart Phillips at McMaster University. Connect with him on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Read his publications on Google Scholar. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.
Can grazing livestock help restore soils, support biodiversity, and even mitigate climate change? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, rangeland ecologist at Colorado State University, Dr. Paige Stanley, shares her research on regenerative grazing systems and their potential to benefit both landscapes and livelihoods.
Paige explains how well-managed grazing influences soil carbon dynamics, plant communities, and ecosystem resilience—and why not all grazing systems are created equal. We discuss the science behind methane emissions from cattle, trade-offs in land use, and how policy and incentives can help expand regenerative ranching practices that balance productivity with environmental stewardship.
Highlights from the episode include:
• How regenerative grazing differs from conventional grazing and why management matters
• What the latest research says about grazing’s role in soil carbon sequestration and biodiversity
• The methane puzzle—short-lived climate pollutants and strategies to reduce emissions
• Opportunities and challenges in scaling regenerative ranching for both ranchers and policymakers
Paige brings a nuanced, evidence-based perspective on the role of grazing animals in sustainable food systems—cutting through polarized debates with insights from the field.
Find Paige Stanley on X and at her website.
Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Read his publications on Google Scholar. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.
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Understanding OCD and Evidence-Based Treatment | Sara Brungardt, PhD, LPC
What exactly is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—and how can evidence-based therapies help people reclaim their lives? In this episode of The Ty Beal Show, Dr. Sara Brungardt, licensed professional counselor and founder of CalmOCD, shares her expertise on diagnosing and treating OCD with proven methods like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Sara explains how OCD differs from perfectionism or personality traits, why intrusive thoughts don’t define a person’s character, and how therapy can rewire the brain’s fear response. We also discuss common myths about OCD, overlaps with eating disorders and anxiety, and how families can best support loved ones navigating recovery.
Highlights from the episode include:
What distinguishes OCD from ordinary worries or habits
How ERP and ACT work to reduce compulsions and anxiety
The connection between OCD, eating disorders, and control
Practical advice for supporting someone with OCD or seeking treatment
Dr. Brungardt offers a compassionate, science-based perspective that brings clarity to a misunderstood condition—and hope to those living with it.
Find Dr. Brungardt at CalmOCD.com and on Instagram.
Connect with Ty on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Read his publications on Google Scholar. Sign up for Ty's Newsletter.
Are you overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice? Tired of trying to separate health facts from fleeting fads? I’m Ty Beal, PhD, a nutrition scientist exploring what we eat and how it truly impacts our wellbeing.On The Ty Beal Show, we cut through the noise. Each week, I’ll be talking with leading experts in nutrition, public health, and food systems—bringing you the latest science in simple, practical terms. We’ll explore why there’s no one perfect diet, how to nourish your body, and ways to help avoid chronic disease.Here’s the truth: Nutrition shouldn’t be confusing. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge that’s actually useful—so you can feel your best, without the hype. We focus on facts, not fear; understanding, not judgment; and a dose of common sense—and maybe even some humor—along the way.If you’re ready to take charge of your health with credible, science-backed insights, hit subscribe. Let’s learn and grow together.
Connect with me on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Read my publications on Google Scholar. Sign up for my Newsletter.
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