I’ve never been someone with much appetite. That’s just how my body is wired. In many ways, this physical experience stands in stark contrast to the themes discussed in Ultra-Processed People, where Chris van Tulleken explores how our cravings are manipulated and how our relationship with food is increasingly disconnected from the body. While others find joy in food, I mostly feel indifferent.
Chris writes, “It’s not food. It’s an industrially produced edible substance.”
But it made me wonder: if I don’t even have the desire to eat, am I really part of the system he critiques?
It was work that made me start paying attention to how I eat…or more accurately, don’t eat. I often realise I’ve missed lunch or dinner only after the time has passed. Without routines, appointments, or social cues, I tend to forget food altogether. And even when I do sit down to eat, I often have no idea what I want. The question “What should I eat?” has long felt like a minor irritation in my life.
When I lived with my family, I just ate whatever was cooked. But living independently, I saw eating as something not worth my time. For a while, I defaulted to This is Food (a drinkable meals), and some fruit.
If I’m honest, I still wish there were a capsule that could give me all the nutrients and satiety I need. No thought, no prep, no cleanup. That’s partly why I loved This is Food. Not because my job turned me into an efficiency obsessed machine, but simply because I wasn’t interested.
But neglecting what I put in my body came at a cost. I often felt weak and tired. I assumed it was poor sleep until my partner pointed out that even a meal deal would be an upgrade from what I was eating. That comment made me pause: maybe my discomfort was diet related after all. As much as I still find eating and sleeping to be inconvenient, I’ve come to accept that these two things can fundamentally change how I feel.
So, I broke up with This is Food and started cooking for myself again.(Ironically, I’ve always been a good cook) But deciding what to cook is still mentally tiring. I’ve always felt that as long as something meets my nutritional needs and I can swallow, is enough. But Ultra-Processed People taught me something important: ultra-processed food is statistically less healthy. So I went in the opposite direction cutting out all pre-packaged and foods. The meals I make now keep their natural form. Below are some photos of what I’ve cooked lately:
Nothing fancy, just real food.
Cooking hasn’t suddenly become exciting. It’s still boring. But I’ve reframed it as a downtime ritual. When I’m slicing vegetables, I let my brain go blank it’s a kind of passive rest. And the question “What should I eat?” doesn’t bother me as much anymore. If I don’t know, I just go for my default combo: steak, eggs, potatoes, and something green in a glass. It’s fast, filling, and hits the nutritional bases.
Once my DPS year ends and I have more space in my schedule, I plan to study some basic nutrition to refine this minimalist menu further. For now, I’ve found a way of eating that works for someone who doesn’t particularly want to eat. That’s enough.
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