Consultant bariatric surgeon Andrew Jenkinson has warned that certain foods act like 'toxic drugs' on the body, sabotaging weight loss and health. Writing in his new book, the London-based specialist advises treating food as a medicinal or harmful substance, rather than focusing on calorie counting.
Jenkinson identifies four categories of food to avoid. The first is 'leptin busters' – high-sugar and refined carbohydrate foods such as cakes, pasta and bread. These block the hormone leptin, which regulates metabolism and appetite.
Second, he warns against processed foods containing high levels of fructose, which can trigger a weight gain signal in cells. Third are foods rich in omega-6 vegetable oils, including fast food, crisps, and items cooked in sunflower, canola or rapeseed oil. These disrupt insulin signals and promote inflammation.
Finally, he advises steering clear of most colourings, flavourings and emulsifiers found in ultra-processed products. Jenkinson argues that these foods interfere with the brain's reward pathways, leading to cravings and addiction-like behaviour.
'Once you understand how food affects you, you will naturally start to crave good food,' he says. The surgeon insists that the key to lasting weight loss is seeing food as a drug, with some being medicinal and others toxic.
