(2025) Girl, Ultra-Processed, by Amara Sage

Girl, Ultra-Processed, by Amara Sage, is a young adult novel published in 2025.

It follows Saffron, a young woman living in Bristol, England, as she grapples with societal pressures around body image and the pervasive influence of diet culture. Saffron's struggles are exacerbated by social media, where she encounters relentless messages about thinness as the ideal. To cope with her insecurities and the rejections she experiences on dating apps, Saffron creates a fake online persona, "Sydney," to catfish others.

As Saffron navigates complex relationships with her family, friends, and romantic interests, she becomes increasingly entangled in a web of deceit and self-destructive behavior. She joins SlimIt, a weight-loss program that perpetuates toxic dieting practices, and even considers using Ozempic, a controversial weight-loss drug. The novel also explores the impact of Saffron's actions on those around her, including her well-meaning but misguided mother, her supportive brother, and her friends who are also caught in the grip of diet culture's harmful messages. Ultimately, Saffron must confront the consequences of her choices and embark on a journey of self-acceptance and healing.