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 What to Eat :: 0865477388
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| How do we choose what to eat? Buffeted by health claims--should we, for example, restrict our intake of carbs or fats or both? Is organic food better for us?--we become confused and tune out. In supermarkets we buy semi-consciously, unaware that our choices are carefully orchestrated by sophisticated marketing strategies concerned only with the bottom line. That we should confront such persuasion is the major point made by nutritionist-consumer advocate Marion Nestle in her extraordinary What to Eat, an aisle-by-aisle guide to supermarket buying and thus an anatomy of American food business. "The way food is situated in today's society discourages healthful food choices," Nestle tells us, a fact that finds literal representation in our supermarkets, where food placement--dependant on "slotting fees," guaranteed advertising and other incentives--determines every purchase we make. Nestle walks readers through every supermarket section--produce, meat, fish, dairy, packaged foods, bottled waters, and more--decoding labels and clarifying nutritional and other claims (in supermarket-speak, for example, "fresh" means most likely to spoil first, not recently picked or prepared), and in so doing explores issues like the effects of food production on our environment, the way pricing works, and additives and their effect on nutrition. What Nestle reveals is both discouraging and empowering. Through ubiquitous advertising, almost universal food availability, the growth of portion size, and unchecked marketing to kids, we're encouraged to eat more than we need, with consequent negative impact on our health. Knowledge is indeed power, and Nestle's lively, witty, and thoroughly enlightening book--the work, readers quickly see, of a food lover intent on increasing sensual satisfaction at table as well as promoting health--will help its readers become completely cognizant about food shopping. It's a must for anyone who eats and buys food and wants to do both better. --Arthur Boehm Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
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Author: Guest
This is a superb book that is entertaining, informative and highly relevant in what is becoming a bit of a Green revolution. As a self-proclaimed foodie who loves to cook, this book gave me wonderful insight into how to think about and make wise choices when I go out and buy food. But for the everyman, it is also an extremely useful guidebook for how to muddle through the marketing, politics, vague safety guidelines and all other muck that is involved in figuring out what food to buy for you and your family.
Nestle covers a wide range of topics (food safety, dairy production, the impact of fisheries on the overall ecosystem, the pros and cons of eating local vs organic) and yanks your eyes right open to all the questions you should consider before making a food choice. But it is not overwhelming, intimidating or scary. It simply arms you with answers to questions that you have already been asking yourself. When I walk through Whole Foods, the farmer's market or local bodegas, I am constantly asking questions about what product is better, why, or how I know what is right for me. This book answers it. Each time I finished a chapter and then went shopping- I felt exponentially more prepared to make smart choices that I also felt good about (b/c of their environmental footprint or for other reasons).
Not only that, the book is fascinating to read- I read it with the passion and zeal that others might read a romance novel or mystery. It is truly interesting because it relates right back to your own daily world. What I loved is that Marion continuously emphasizes the decisions a person should make, to impact the long term vs short term good of our bodies, our communities and our entire ecosystem. This education is priceless and critical in this time. Thanks to Marion Nestle for her lifelong dedication to topics like this- get this book!
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Author: Guest
The author does not spend nearly enough time on what people actually should eat. Instead of doing this she spends about ninety percent of the book discussing the problems with the way foods today are made and marketed. It was a little repetitive, but it is still extremely useful.
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Author: Guest
I read a lot and must say... this is probably the best non-fiction book I've read in the past ten years. A great book mostly because the author isn't trying to pitch anything to you, and you'll learn so much from nutrional, sociological, and political perspectives. Worth every penny.
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Author: Guest
This is an excellent and well researched work on the wares sold in most supermarkets (and drug stores, in the case of supplements). I consider myself pretty well versed in most of the topics covered by Marion Nestle, but I learned A LOT from this text. As a researcher and nutritionist, Nestle certainly has the background to treat this subject and her writing flows easily. In short, this book is quite easy to read (and there's no need to read it in order--I skipped from chapter to chapter, reading whatever I was interested in at the moment). Although I, as well as another reviewer, found her "surprise" at supermarkets a bit silly and the format of the book (based on the aisles of a supermarket) a little contrived, I am still glad I purchased and read this book. The chapters on fish, especially, are superb, as are those on dairy and supplements. (NOTE: I have not read her "Food Politics", so I don't know how much she's already covered in that text). This is an excellent source of food-related information and a welcome addition to the library of anyone interested in what he or she eats.
That said, I'm only giving it 4 stars instead of 5. I find no fault with the book's factual material. However, when Ms. Nestle starts venturing into food criticism (telling the reader what tastes "best"--uh, "best" is a highly subjective term and Ms. Nestle is a nutritionist, not a restaurant reviewer or food critic). She does have a tendency to come across condescendingly or as a know-it-all (which she surely does if the topic is industry manipulation and nutrition). Also (earth to Marion, come in Marion), we don't all live in Manhattan and we may not have access to all-organic, hearth-baked, TRUE artisanal bread. And readers would be better served if she offered suggestions for people who may have to make food choices based on financial considerations (e.g. would it be better to buy organic fruits and vegetables, but forgo the organic pastas and breads if one's budget doesn't allow for both). One gets the sense that she's really writing for the privileged.
Still (and I suppose I am one of the privileged, because I can largely afford many organics, etc.) I would recommend this book to others, even in light of my criticisms of it. This book is solidly packed with good information.
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Author: Guest
An independent and user-friendly guide to eating that's packed with fun food facts that will help you avoid the hype and hocus-pocus.
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