Why We Can’t Stop: The Truth About Ultra-Processed Food Addiction

About this episode

Dr. Jen Unwin discusses the science of food addiction and the impact of ultra-processed foods on recovery.

Dr. Jen Unwin is a pioneering voice in the field of food addiction, bringing more than three decades of clinical experience from the UK’s National Health Service and a lifelong focus on one powerful idea: hope. A Fellow of the British Psychological Society and recipient of the Karen Ehlert Lifetime Achievement Award, she has dedicated her career to helping people move beyond shame and self-blame toward lasting health change. What makes her work especially compelling is that it is not only professional but personal—Dr. Unwin has openly shared her own struggles with food addiction, giving her a rare depth of empathy and insight into the realities of recovery. Working alongside her husband, Dr. David Unwin, she has helped pioneer drug-free remission of type 2 diabetes through sustainable dietary change, supporting hundreds of patients and influencing many more worldwide. Together, they demonstrate that when biology, psychology, and behavior are addressed as one, transformation is not only possible—it is repeatable. Her work bridges science and lived experience, combining clinical rigor with a deep understanding of the emotional and psychological drivers of addictive eating. In this…

People in this episode

Host: Esther Helga Gudmundsdottir

Guest: Dr. Jen Unwin

Topics covered

• food addiction
• ultra-processed foods
• health change
• psychology
• dietary change
• recovery

Keywords

• food addiction
• ultra-processed food
• health change
• psychology
• dieting
• recovery
• type 2 diabetes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: British Psychological Society, UK’s National Health Service, Karen Ehlert Lifetime Achievement Award

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