Emma Joyce examines the items in her parenting toolkit, highlighting a personal challenge with food choices. This sets the stage for a diverse collection of essential reads from the past week, curated by Kris Swales for Guardian Australia's Five Great Reads newsletter. Amid a hectic news cycle, these stories offer engaging insights into culture, health, and human interest.
The Beckham Family Feud Goes Public
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, son of David and Victoria Beckham, recently took to Instagram to accuse his parents of manipulating press narratives and attempting to sabotage his marriage. Marina Hyde provides a witty analysis, drawing parallels to Goodfellas and the Windsor family, while questioning if social media regulations should extend to parents who rely on content for attention.
Reading time: Three minutes.
Further exploration: Emma Brockes discusses the modern trend of children cutting ties with parents without guilt or stigma.
The Unsung Heroes Behind 'Hero Props'
Prop masters in film and television often go unnoticed, yet their work is crucial to storytelling. Jode Mann, a TV prop master, expresses gratitude for the recognition, noting how iconic items like lightsabers or Rose's necklace in Titanic shape cinematic experiences. Jamie Wilkinson, who has contributed to Wicked and Star Wars sequels, argues that physical props evoke more authentic performances from actors compared to digital effects.
Reading time: Four minutes.
Going Cold Turkey on Ultra-Processed Foods
A 2025 global report links ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to health issues such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and depression. Emma Joyce, a lifelong consumer of UPFs, embarks on a week-long challenge to eliminate them from her diet. She navigates the Nova classification system, faces financial hurdles with expensive alternatives like rye bread and pure butter, and encounters obstacles like finding suitable jam. Experts suggest that with time and food literacy, such a transition is feasible.
Reading time: Four minutes.
Further exploration: Nine simple swaps to reduce UPF intake in daily meals.
Bringing 'Sexy' Jacket Potatoes Back
The humble jacket potato is experiencing a resurgence in the UK, driven by social media trends and vendors aiming to revitalise its image. Dr Joanne Lunn from Waitrose attributes this to increased awareness of ultra-processed foods. Sammy Gecsoyler conducts taste tests, revealing mixed results; for instance, Subway's offering is criticised as reminiscent of bland school canteen fare.
Reading time: Five minutes.
The Family Found in the Siberian Wilderness
The Lykov family, part of the Old Believers sect, lived in extreme isolation in Siberia, discovered by scientists in 1978. This Orthodox Christian group sought holiness through seclusion, especially during times of persecution. Agafia Lykova, the last surviving member, is now considered a national treasure. Remarkably, the family remained largely unaware of global events like World War II and recent conflicts in Russia.
Reading time: Nine minutes.
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