Nutrition Books

Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition, and Health, Revised and Expanded Edition (California Studies in Food and Culture)

Marion Nestle

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

In the U.S., we're bombarded with nutritional advice--the work, we assume, of reliable authorities with our best interests at heart. Far from it, says Marion Nestle, whose Food Politics absorbingly details how the food industry--through lobbying, advertising, and the co-opting of experts--influences our dietary choices to our detriment. Central to her argument is the American "paradox of plenty," the recognition that our food abundance (we've enough calories to meet every citizen's needs twice over) leads profit-fixated food producers to do everything possible to broaden their market portion, thus swaying us to eat more when we should do the opposite. The result is compromised health: epidemic obesity to start, and increased vulnerability to heart and lung disease, cancer, and stroke--reversible if the constantly suppressed "eat less, move more" message that most nutritionists shout could be heard.

Nestle, nutrition chair at New York University and editor of the 1988 Surgeon General Report, has served her time in the dietary trenches and is ideally suited to revealing how government nutritional advice is watered down when a message might threaten industry sales. (Her report on byzantine nutritional food-pyramid rewordings to avoid "eat less" recommendations is both predictable and astonishing.) She has other "war stories," too, that involve marketing to children in school (in the form of soft-drink "pouring rights" agreements, hallway advertising, and fast-food coupon giveaways), and diet-supplement dramas in which manufacturers and the government enter regulation frays, with the industry championing "free choice" even as that position counters consumer protection. Is there hope? "If we want to encourage people to eat better diets," says Nestle, "we need to target societal means to counter food industry lobbying and marketing practices as well as the education of individuals." It's a telling conclusion in an engrossing and masterfully panoramic exposé. --Arthur Boehm

The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health

T. Colin Campbell, Thomas M. Campbell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 455 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Proof is in the blood test results 4 out of 5 stars.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I am a Asian-American (Japanese specifically), I was born and raised in Hawaii and moved to the California when I was 27 years old. I grew up eating meat and enjoyed that until a few months ago. I have always had high cholesterol (in the 220-240 range) and I thought it was genetic. I was into the low-carb, higher protein diet the last few years, probably because it justified eating a lot of meat, which I loved. A few months ago I had some blood work done and I had a total cholesterol of 259, worse a LDL "bad" cholesterol of 164. About this time a friend at work recommended this book, I ordered it and read it. Took everything with a grain of salt but remembered some studies in the 1970s that he referred to about Japanese Americans in Hawaii and California having typical health issues that their Japanese counterparts did not. I gave up most of the red meat and dairy for about three months, ate mostly a vegan diet with some poultry and a little more fish, mostly sushi. After only three months my recent results were total cholesterol of 190, LDL of 104, my doctor went from very concerned and recommending cholesterol reducing drugs to unconcerned. It may not be for everyone but I am convinced that this may have prolonged my life to enjoy with my young children.

Editorial Review:

This exhaustive presentation of the findings from the China Study conclusively demonstrates the link between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Referred to as the "Grand Prix of epidemiology" by The New York Times, this study examines more than 350 variables of health and nutrition with surveys from 6,500 adults in 65 counties, representing 2,500 counties across rural China and Taiwan. While revealing that proper nutrition can have a dramatic effect on reducing and reversing these ailments as well as obesity, this text calls into question the practices of many of the current dietary programs, such as the Atkins diet, that enjoy widespread popularity in the West. The impact of the politics of nutrition and the efforts of special interest groups on the creation and dissemination of public information on nutrition are also discussed.

Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies

Frances Sizer, Ellie Whitney

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

With more than 1 million users, NUTRITION: CONCEPTS AND CONTROVERSIES remains the nutrition text of choice for majors and non-majors alike. Packed with practical applications and powerful resources, the exciting new eleventh edition equips you with a thorough understanding of important nutrition concepts and tools to make informed and responsible decisions about your own nutrition. Known for its clear explanations that show relevance to readers, the text helps students of all backgrounds learn the basics of nutrition--from being good consumers to understanding the science of nutrition. It is packed with practical applications that support quantitative learning skills, critical-thinking skills, and behavior change. The authors quickly draw you into the study of nutrition through a number of innovative learning tools, including captivating chapter opening "Do You Ever" sections, "Food Feature" and "Consumer Corner" sections, integrated "Key Points," and end-of-chapter "Controversies." An exciting new CengageNOW™ resource site provides a variety of learning aids, including the unique "MyTurn" student video case studies, personalized learning plans, behavior change activities, animations, and much more. Combining a powerful package with comprehensive, up-to-date, engaging coverage, NUTRITION CONCEPTS AND CONTROVERSIES, Eleventh Edition, is the text for you!

American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide

Roberta Larson Duyff, ADA (American Dietetic Association)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A lifetime of sound and easy advice on healthy eating from the world's foremost authority on food and nutrition



The choices you make every day about food, nutrition, and health can have a major impact on your life. To find the most reliable nutrition information and positive advice for achieving optimal health, look no further--this comprehensive book from the American Dietetic Association explains everything you need to know about eating for health. It's packed with simple, practical tips and flexible guidelines to help you choose nutritious, flavorful, and convenient foods that suit your needs and lifestyle no matter what your age or stage of life.

This brand-new edition of the bestselling American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide features:
* The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans from USDA and USHHS, providing the latest science-based advice on food choices and physical activity for your health, USDA's MyPyramid food guide, and the latest American Heart Association guidelines
* More ways to include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other nutrient-rich foods in your everyday meals and snacks
* Updated information on women's health and nutrition covering pregnancy to menopause
* The effective use of dietary supplements including herbals and other botanicals
* Food and lifestyle advice on preventing and managing health conditions (including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease), on food-drug interactions, and on food allergies and intolerances (including gluten intolerance)
* The latest on food and water safety
* Help in making smart food choices in restaurants: fast-food, sit-down, and ethnic restaurants
* The latest on eating and hydration for peak performance
* More on managing body weight and a science-based look at popular weight-loss plans
* Quick, easy ways to blend nutrition with great taste for your family table


American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide has received the National Health Information Award and the National Federation of Press Women Award, among others.

Eating Mindfully: How to End Mindless Eating and Enjoy a Balanced Relationship with Food

Susan Albers

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Useful Suggestions, But Not Enough Foundation 3 out of 5 stars.
54 of 60 people found this review helpful.

This book is a collection of 46 brief observations on mindless eating. The observations are short, one or two pages, and include suggestions on how to turn mindless eating into mindfull eating. The observations themselves are diverse so every reader will most likely find several that relate to their specific problems with eating.

However, very little of the book is devoted to the fundamentals of "mindfullness". The book causally quotes the Buddhist origins of "mindfullness" but does not expand on the topic. This causes the observations to feel a little empty since they're constantly referring to a "mindfullness" concept that hasn't been meaningfully explained.

If you want a fundamental understanding of Buudhist "mindfulness" before you apply it to eating problems then I would read "The Zen of Eating" by Kabatznick. If you prefer a more 'thought for the day' type of format then this book is more appropriate.

Editorial Review:

Healthy eating is conscious eating, according to eating disorders specialist Susan Albers. In this book, she introduces concepts of acceptance and awareness of one's eating behaviors, new exercises steeped in Buddhist practices for healing negative patterns in this area, and a means for restoring tranquility to meals. Albers does not encourage a diet of deprivation, but instead provides a checklist for the wide variety of mindless eating approaches, from eating when not hungry to faddish diets to food rituals. Practical exercises grounded in cognitive behavioral research reveal the forces that drive unconscious eating. These step-by-step instructions help readers cut through the mind's chatter and reach a new level of understanding of their relationship to food, weight, and health. This, finally, is a sound weight loss program that uses mindfulness techniques to break the patterns of unhealthy eating.

Can We Live 150 Years?: Your Body Maintenance Handbook

Ph.D., Mikhail Tombak

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Almost 5 Stars 4 out of 5 stars.
70 of 143 people found this review helpful.

This book probably deserves 4.5 stars, but there is no such choice so I opted for 4. There is something for everyone in this book. It is packed with information about body cleansing, treatment of obesity and other common ailments, proper nutrition, proper breathing techniques, taking care of your back, and much more. It is very comprehensive and compact. In fact a little too compact for my eyes - it would be easier to read if the letters were bigger. I wouldn't mind if it was published in four or five hundred pages, or even in two different volumes.

You will find in the book many good alternatives to visiting your physician with a small disorder or inconvenience as we often tend to do. An example -- drink a raspberry tea, instead of taking aspirin. Among all the plentiful advice you will also come across some that you might want to take with a grain of salt, but if you approach it with an open mind you will certainly find a lot of useful recommendations.

I happen to disagree with the author on some issues. Specifically, in my opinion the calculation of life expectancy seems to be based on some wrong assumption, but my goal is not to live 150 years anyway... As some of other reviewers mentioned, I wouldn't make my own toothpaste, either. However, after you separate the grain from chaff and ignore all the elements that you consider too difficult or impractical, you will still be left with a lot of useful guidance that will help you lead healthier life.

The liver cleansing routine does require two full days of total devotion to your own self. It is not pleasant, either, as you first need to fasten for over a day, and then you need to drink alternatively olive oil and lemon juice. It is not easy, but it is very rewarding. I felt very much rejuvenated after cleansing of my liver. The good news is that you do not need to do it more often than twice a year.

The author also suggests fasting at least a few days a month. Not as a means to losing weight, but as a self-cleansing routine. Alternatively, if you prefer the easy way, take sauna each few days... By the way, the author also suggest an alternative, easy way of liver cleansing with the help of apple juice, but my experience tells me that "the easy solutions" most of the time don't bring about as good results as "doing it the hard way". And so on, and so forth...

To summarize: It is a good book, just pick up what you find useful and ignore the stuff that does not suit you. There is something for everyone. It's a very much recommended title.

Editorial Review:

The author applies a no-nonsense approach to dieting, exercising, disease treating, and other aspects of everyday life. Our looks, longevity, as well as our physical and mental conditions result from the way we eat, breathe, and take care of all our physical and psychological needs. The question is not limited to nutrition only, as is the case of dieting programs.

The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition and Other Holistic Choices

Aviva Jill Romm

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Best Book for the Novice 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I found this book to be so helpful, since it was much easier to read for the novice herbalist. I am over 35 having my first pregnancy and want to do natural childbirth. This book has really helped me with what herbs to take for delivery and what to be aware of. I especially liked the chapter written by her husband. My husband was quite concerned about me going the "natural route" at my age. An excellent book for a first time mother.

Editorial Review:

Reading THE NATURAL PREGNANCY BOOK is like having your own personal herbalist and midwife at your side. Expertly written by Aviva Jill Romm, who has been providing family-centered natural health care for almost 20 years, it was one of the first books to explore botanical medicine and pregnancy. In this revised and updated edition, Ms. Romm thoughtfully follows the woman’s journey from conception to birth, focusing on natural health. She describes herbs that can promote and maintain a healthy pregnancy (along with those you should avoid during your term) and the basics of a healthy diet, with an emphasis on natural foods. THE NATURAL PREGNANCY BOOK is a complete guide for the woman who envisions a safe pregnancy without technological intervention, as nature intended.

Nutrition & Diet Therapy

Ruth A. Roth

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Great textbook and reference 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I will not resell this on after class! I will use this one forever! Great book, easy to read and follow.

Don't bother with this one........ 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Don't waste your money- so many better books available today-
information is not applicable -
writer does not have a clue-
research is not accurate

Instructor Input 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

As a pre-nursing instructor, I find this text very easy to follow and love the nursing process approach it takes. It is a wonderful reference for ongoing clinical practice. Excellent instructor disk and student reference CD. Highly recommend this text book.

Editorial Review:

Learn all the essentials about nutrition and good health in this updated text! In our health-conscious society, the link between good nutrition and good health is seen everywhere, from magazine and newspaper headlines to television shows and web sites. This presents a challenge to nurses when working to help clients improve their nutrition and overall health. Nutrition & Diet Therapy, 9th Edition, is your ideal choice for an introduction to nutrition concepts and client care.

Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children

Ann Cooper, Lisa Holmes

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Remember how simple school lunches used to be? You'd have something from every major food group, run around the playground for a while, and you looked and felt fine. But today it's not so simple. Schools are actually feeding the American crisis of childhood obesity and malnutrition. Most cafeterias serve a veritable buffet of processed, fried, and sugary foods, and although many schools have attempted to improve, they are still not measuring up: 78 percent of the school lunch programs in America do not meet the USDA's nutritional guidelines.

Chef Ann Cooper has emerged as one of the nation's most influential and most respected advocates for changing how our kids eat. In fact, she is something of a renegade lunch lady, minus the hairnet and scooper of mashed potatoes. Ann has worked to transform cafeterias into culinary classrooms. In Lunch Lessons, she and Lisa Holmes spell out how parents and school employees can help instill healthy habits in children.

They explain the basics of good childhood nutrition and suggest dozens of tasty, home-tested recipes for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. The pages are also packed with recommendations on how to eliminate potential hazards from the home, bring gardening and composting into daily life, and how to support businesses that provide local, organic food.

Yet learning about nutrition and changing the way you run your home will not cure the plague of obesity and poor health for this generation of children. Only parental activism can spark widespread change. With inspirational examples and analysis, Lunch Lessons is more than just a recipe book—it gives readers the tools to transform the way children everywhere interact with food.

Enzyme Nutrition

Edward Howell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Why "waste of time" is wrong... 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

The customer who wrote that critique panned the book, citing that it primarily was out of date and did not give good scientific evidence. However, this book is NOT Dr. Howell's "scientific" book. In the mid-40s he published a book filled with many hundreds of citations supporting his conclusions. THIS book is a popularization of his conclusions. I have read both, and can definitely say that this book is entertaining, enlightening, and still revolutionary in its implications for proper human nutrition.

The reviewer also objected to the idea that the pancreas has a finite capacity for enzyme production. Dr. Howell notes that the heart also has a finite capacity for beating cycles. This fact is generally accepted in the life sciences, so why the idea that the pancreas is similarly limited is so hard for that reviewer to accept is unclear.

I have seen nothing to disprove or discount Dr. Howell's conclusions. Indeed, I have been using his principles of enzyme supplementation in my own diet for over 16 years, and I can personally attest that he is RIGHT because one's body does indeed process food differently when there are plenty of enzymes available.

Editorial Review:

Dr. Howell is often called the "father of food enzymes." During the '30's and'40's of this century, he did incredible research to prove that food enzymeswere an essential nutrient, and that cooking and processing of foods destroythem, thereby creating dramatic changes in our ability to digest food and remain healthy. This is a classic in the field.