BBC doctor explains why he gained a stone in a month

A BBC doctor and TV presenter has shared how he gained more than a stone in just a month after taking up a way of eating that is very common among people living in the UK. Dr Chris Van Tulleken joined his twin brother Dr Xand on Monday's Morning Live, where he discussed his experience.

Dr Chris, who is known for his research into ultra-processed foods (UPFs), spent a month on a diet made up almost entirely (80%) of UPFs - and the results were astounding. In a short space of time, he gained seven kilos, or around 15lbs.

His new documentary, Irresistible: Why We Can't Stop Eating, explores why UPFs "have come to dominate food culture", and airs on BBC Two this evening (November 25). He is joined on the programme by former food industry insiders talking about the way in which popular foods are designed to make us want to eat more and more of them.

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Speaking on Morning Live, he said: "Ultra-processed foods are linked to a number of different health outcomes, weight gain is kind of the most obvious. I went on an 80% ultra-processed food diet for a research study, filmed by the BBC.

"I put on seven kilos in one month, an enormous amount for a month, and it took me four years to lose the weight ... it was extremely hard."

Discussing the documentary and the experts who feature in it, he continued: "Every single aspect of every product you're eating has been designed and marketed by teams of geniuses ... If you've ever put a tub of ice cream in your freezer and found yourself going back again and again and again until you've finished the whole tub, don't be ashamed of that.

"People have used brain scanners amongst many other techniques to develop that ice cream, to make you find it irresistible."

BBC Morning Live airs weekdays at 9.30am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer