Just finished this book.
Wow. By far the best book on nutrition I've ever read.
It could easily replace all of my nutrition classes in college.
Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much.
It could easily replace all of my nutrition classes in college.
Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much.
That's the overall theme of the book. Simple huh?
His evidence and research is quite impressive. The whole book attacks our "Western Diet" and the many health problems our diet can cause. He also talks about how we've shifted to viewing food as "nutrients" rather than the food itself, and therefore the food industry has resulted to injecting the latest nutrient in anything and everything in order to claim its "healthy" (fiber and whole grain in Froot Loops??). He goes on to talk about the importance of how our crops and animals are fed and raised- "you are what your food eats."
Here are a few of my favorite snipits:
"A whole food might be more than the sum of its nutrient parts."
"...we're getting substantially less nutrition per calorie than we used to."
"...the most important fact about any food is not its nutrient content but its degree of processing."
"..we should avoid any food that has been processed to such an extent that it is more the product of industry than of nature."
"..avoid food products containing ingredients that are a) unfamiliar b) unpronouncable c) more than five in number or that include high fructose corn syrup."
"A whole food might be more than the sum of its nutrient parts."
"...we're getting substantially less nutrition per calorie than we used to."
"...the most important fact about any food is not its nutrient content but its degree of processing."
"..we should avoid any food that has been processed to such an extent that it is more the product of industry than of nature."
"..avoid food products containing ingredients that are a) unfamiliar b) unpronouncable c) more than five in number or that include high fructose corn syrup."
I could go on forever. There is SO much great information in this book and when it comes to advice on nutrition, it is the closest thing to the Word of Wisdom I've heard.
Here's the problem (not really a problem): I'm never going to be able to shop at the grocery store the same. Eliminating processed foods is much easier said than done. I don't think I could ever give up baked goods completely (I just added to my favorites tab these, these and these...and I can't wait to make them).
It's all about taking baby steps. Baby steps to being more healthy. Not just to lose weight (although I won't complain about that side effect), but to increase my overall health. I would highly recommend reading this book...it will change your whole outlook on how you eat.
Here's the problem (not really a problem): I'm never going to be able to shop at the grocery store the same. Eliminating processed foods is much easier said than done. I don't think I could ever give up baked goods completely (I just added to my favorites tab these, these and these...and I can't wait to make them).
It's all about taking baby steps. Baby steps to being more healthy. Not just to lose weight (although I won't complain about that side effect), but to increase my overall health. I would highly recommend reading this book...it will change your whole outlook on how you eat.
3 comments:
I have been wanting to get this book for like 2 weeks now!! I've heard how good it is, and it's right up my alley and now I am SO getting it! Maybe even tonight ;) I am so excited to read it, thanks for reminding me!!
I read his other book, the omnivore's dilemma, and had a hard time getting through it, he talked a ton about CORN. I'll have to give this one a try since it come so highly recommended.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this! I love that book.
Have you read The Omnivore's Dilemma? I'm reading it right now. It's not as easy to read as In Defense of Food, but equally informative and interesting/slightly frightening!
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