You think you know what’s making you feel exhausted, anxious, or unwell.You blame stress, your hormones, or bad luck.But what if one of the biggest factors is in over half the food you eat and you’ve been told it’s “healthy”?

This week’s guest, Milli Hill, is an award-winning journalist, speaker, and author whose latest work reveals the hidden role ultra-processed foods play in women’s health. From autoimmune disease, depression, and infertility to painful periods, menopause symptoms, and chronic inflammation, her research exposes a truth that’s been hiding in plain sight and asks why we’ve normalised women’s suffering for so long.

We explore:

– Why women face higher rates of autoimmune disease, depression, and the role of ultra-processed food

– How UPFs fuel inflammation, disrupt the gut microbiome, and affect long-term health

– The marketing tricks behind “healthy” products that keep us hooked

– Why reducing UPFs is about reclaiming nourishment, not restriction

– Practical swaps that fit into busy lives without overwhelm

– The cultural loss of cooking, eating, and connection, and how to bring it back

You deserve answers your doctor might not have given you. This conversation is about taking back control of what nourishes you, asking the questions women’s health has ignored for too long, and making changes that support your body, mind, and future one choice at a time.

Connect with Milli Hill:

Website: https://www.millihill.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millihill/

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/millihill

Books: Give Birth Like a Feminist, The Positive Birth Book, My Period

👉https://www.amazon.com/Give-Birth-Like-a-Feminist/dp/0008313105

👉https://www.amazon.com/The-Positive-Birth-Book/dp/1780667655

👉https://www.amazon.com/My-Period-Find-proud-period/dp/1526363372

Love,

Sarah Ann 💛

***

This episode is sponsored by Spatone – the No.1 iron-rich water supplement.

This is a product I genuinely believe in — one I’ve used personally and recommended in the clinic for years. Spatone is a natural iron-rich water that’s incredibly gentle on the stomach. No harsh tablets, no digestive upset — just one naturally sourced ingredient that works.

If you’re looking for iron support that actually feels good to take, this is the one I trust. You can pick up Spatone at Boots: Spatone Apple Daily Iron Shots + Vitamin C 28 Sachets - Boots

**

This episode is also sponsored by London Nootropics, the best-in-class adaptogenic coffee I trust. Made with Hifas da Terra mushroom extracts, it supports focus, calm, and energy, and helps you stay sharp throughout the day.

Enjoy 20% off with code LIVEWELLBEWELL at londonnootropics.com

***

If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:

Women's Brain Health: What Science REALLY Says About Hormones, PMS & Menopause | Dr Sarah McKayhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKnS1McNVm8

The FIRST Woman To Follow Bryan Johnson’s $2M Anti-Aging Blueprint | Why Kate Tolo Is Different

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJC_E_gXYMg

***

Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:

Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

***

Highlights:

Intro: How Ultra-Processed Foods Are Harming Women’s Health (00:00)

How Gut Health and Fiber Shape Women’s Hormones & Menopause (06:29)

Overfed but Undernourished: The Ultra-Processed Food Trap (06:29)

The Truth About ‘Healthy’ Foods (19:04)

How Ultra-Processed Foods Affect PMS, Menopause & Fertility (28:45)

Why Small Diet Changes Can Make a Big Difference (33:25)

Depression in Women & Why They’re Prescribed More Antidepressants (37:13)

Why Women’s Pain Needs a Reframe (40:20)

Easy Swaps to Cut Ultra-Processed Foods (47:30)

What Living Well Means to Milli Hill (56:08)

***

Let’s be friends!

📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin

📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah

Your “Healthy” Food Is the Problem | How Ultra-Processed Foods Affect Women’s Hormones & Gut Health | Milli Hill

Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition