Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

Ultra-Processed People: Book Overview (Chris van Tulleken)

A woman reading a book on a couch with an array of ultra-processed snacks around her, such as chips and soda

Why is it so hard to stop eating your favorite chips? What are the implications of supermarkets containing aisle after aisle of sodas, frozen meals, and packaged snacks—and only tiny produce sections? In Ultra-Processed People, book author, professor, and infectious disease doctor Chris van Tulleken argues that ultra-processed food is destroying our health and our planet. He claims that ultra-processed food isn’t really food at all; rather, it’s akin to an addictive substance that tricks us into eating more. Below, we’ll explore van Tulleken’s arguments and his recommendations to counteract the effects of ultra-processed food.

How to Counteract the Negative Effects of Ultra-Processed Food

A billboard next to a highway that shows a bowl of chips with a red X through it, showing what can be done to stop the effects of ultra-processed foods

How can governments and individuals fight the effects of ultra-processed foods? In what ways should marketing for UPFs be changed? Most food is processed to some extent. Even baking bread or making a smoothie in the blender are forms of processing. But ultra-processed food is different. Ultra-processing doesn’t just modify food—it transforms food into something else entirely. Here’s what can be done to fight against the prevalence of UPFs.

The “Linear Life” Is a Myth: Here’s Why It’s Dangerous

A black squiggly horizontal line on a white background used to represent the nonlinear life

What is the “linear life”? How can believing in a linear life set you up for disappointment? How can you embrace a nonlinear life? When we imagine our lives, we often imagine the ideal: college, career, family, and retirement. The truth is that most people’s lives aren’t that straightforward and include many life-altering disrupters and transitions along the way. Keep reading to learn why you should embrace a nonlinear life, according to Bruce Feiler in Life Is in the Transitions.

What Is a Lifequake? Bruce Feiler Explains

The word "lifequake" on a piece of concrete being split by an earthquake

What is a “lifequake”? Why are some life experiences more transformative than others? In his book Life Is in the Transitions, Bruce Feiler discusses what he calls “lifequakes.” A lifequake is an event that’s so significant that there was life before the event and life after. Keep reading to learn all about Feiler’s lifequakes.

Do Ultra-Processed Food Regulations Exist? Not Really

Boxes of cereal on a shelf in a grocery store signifying the lack of processed food regulations

Are there government regulations on ultra-processed foods? What does the FDA say about them? In his book Ultra-Processed People, Dr. Chris van Tulleken explains that there are very few ultra-processed food regulations. This allows companies to bypass the FDA when they put additives in foods. Here’s how it came to be this way.

Why Is Change So Hard? The 2 Reasons (Bruce Feiler)

A cartoon image of a boy crying over a tombstone that reads "my old life" because life changes are so hard to overcome

Why is change so hard? What gives us a sense of meaning in life? What are the three stages of adaptation? In his book Life is in the Transitions, Bruce Feiler explains that many people struggle to navigate life changes, especially transformations, for two reasons. The first reason is that change can alter the meaning of your life and the second is that adapting to change is similar to grieving a death. We’ll go over each reason in detail below.

Predatory Landlords Are Exacerbating the Housing Crisis

The hand of a predatory landlord painting over an electrical socket with white paint

How dangerous are predatory landlords? How did landlording turn into a full-time job? In his book Evicted, Matthew Desmond argues that predatory landlords are contributing to the housing and eviction crisis in the US. They target low-income earners by charging too much in rent, neglecting repairs, and making non-binding agreements. Continue reading to learn more about predatory landlord practices and their effects.

The History of Housing Discrimination in America

How did housing discrimination come to be? What role did slavery have to play in current-day housing discrimination? According to sociologist and the author of Evicted, Matthew Desmond, present-day housing discrimination can be traced back to the 1800s. He provides a brief timeline of how this came to be. Keep reading to learn the history of racial discrimination and housing.

How to Adapt to Changes: 7 Life Altering Strategies

A drawing of a man standing between two signs. One reads "old life" and the other reads "new life" to signify adapting to life changes

Want to know how to adapt to changes in your life? How can you embrace a new way of being? Navigating life changes can be difficult, but Bruce Feiler, the author of Life Is in the Transitions, argues that you can make it easier by approaching it intentionally and proactively. He proposes seven strategies that can help you adapt to life changes. Keep reading for an in-depth look at each strategy.

Why Talking About Your Experiences Can Help You Heal

A group of people sitting in a circle in a room talking about their experiences

What are the benefits of talking about experiences? How should you handle it if you receive negative feedback? While it can be difficult to open up about personal experiences, Bruce Feiler argues that there are five major benefits to doing so. By becoming vulnerable, you can overcome loneliness, receive support, get feedback, and more. Here’s why you should open up about your experiences, as described in the book Life Is in the Transitions.