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140 reviews for:
Metabolical: The truth about processed food and how it poisons people and the planet
Robert H. Lustig
4.09 AVERAGE
140 reviews for:
Metabolical: The truth about processed food and how it poisons people and the planet
Robert H. Lustig
4.09 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I'm not sure what to think; the diatribe against processed food, the food industry, Big Pharma, etc., I think has merit. The book is dense, and in some places scatter-shot and hard to read, but in the end, I didn't really learn anything I didn't already know. Eat Real Food, not processed food. Okay then.
No earth shattering revelations here, but good and helpful information exhaustively expanded upon.
A patient told me that this was the best book she'd ever read-- so with that glowing endorsement, I had to at least check it out.
From my perspective, there were a few outstanding pearls, a lot that I already knew, and a whopping ton of bitter politics--some (in my opinion) justified, some not.
The pearls for me primarily revolved around the key connection of fatty liver to the rest of the metabolic syndrome picture. This is something I once knew to some extent and has more or less fallen off my radar; I rarely look for fatty liver unless I know someone has the diagnosis already, or unless they have a few key markers or symptoms that point in that direction. But until now, it hasn't been the first thought when someone has unexplained high lipids or glucose.
The book also discussed in-depth how food has been adulterated, and it was a good reminder that even if someone is eating "good" quality prepackaged foods, it's still not the ideal and can be toxic.
Then there was a whole lot of (in my opinion) justified ranting against the various regulatory agencies in the US that should protect the public from toxic food additives, but don't. Interspersed, there were a few choice political comments that were really unnecessary, I thought--like which administration made which decisions (out of context), or certain politically charged topics that had little to nothing to do with food. I had the impression that the author had found himself a soapbox and he was going to use it, relevant or no. I actually skipped the last couple of chapters because I'd had enough.
Still, I gave it four stars, because the takeaways I did get were well worthwhile.
From my perspective, there were a few outstanding pearls, a lot that I already knew, and a whopping ton of bitter politics--some (in my opinion) justified, some not.
The pearls for me primarily revolved around the key connection of fatty liver to the rest of the metabolic syndrome picture. This is something I once knew to some extent and has more or less fallen off my radar; I rarely look for fatty liver unless I know someone has the diagnosis already, or unless they have a few key markers or symptoms that point in that direction. But until now, it hasn't been the first thought when someone has unexplained high lipids or glucose.
The book also discussed in-depth how food has been adulterated, and it was a good reminder that even if someone is eating "good" quality prepackaged foods, it's still not the ideal and can be toxic.
Then there was a whole lot of (in my opinion) justified ranting against the various regulatory agencies in the US that should protect the public from toxic food additives, but don't. Interspersed, there were a few choice political comments that were really unnecessary, I thought--like which administration made which decisions (out of context), or certain politically charged topics that had little to nothing to do with food. I had the impression that the author had found himself a soapbox and he was going to use it, relevant or no. I actually skipped the last couple of chapters because I'd had enough.
Still, I gave it four stars, because the takeaways I did get were well worthwhile.
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
dark
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
As a hobby chef and someone who has a fascination with food, this book has been one of the most influential reads of my life. It has completely changed the way I look at nutrition and has led me to reconsider the majority of choices I make in both the supermarket and in my kitchen. Not an easy read - emotionally or intellectually - but highly recommended nonetheless.
I was expecting more nutrition info (more on the Real Food) instead of anti corporate info. Still interesting.
informative
slow-paced
I think there is a lot of good information here. I also think that while his purpose is to inspire action, his writing style also can invoke fear and anxiety. This is not really a book about what you specifically should do in terms of your diet. It is more a book about population level issues with processed food and metabolic syndrome. If that interests you, then by all means, read this book. If you are a person who is worried about your processed food/sugar consumption, read it if you want, but be prepared to look elsewhere for details.
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Self harm, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pandemic/Epidemic