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Reviews
Chew on This: Everything You Don't Want to Know About Fast Food by Eric Schlosser, Charles Wilson
christiana's review against another edition
3.0
I got so much more out of this book than I could have imagined. A good look at the far reaching ways of McDonald's (not just on poor food practices that we all kind of knew were in play). And writing it for teens is genius. Their target base is getting the information that is so important to have in making eating decisions. Awesome stroke of luck that it's been in the news right when my teen book group was reading it! (http://www.economist.com/news/business/21638115-after-long-run-success-worlds-largest-fast-food-chain-flounderingand-activist
and http://www.economist.com/news/business/21638120-why-slightly-more-upmarket-outlets-are-eating-fast-foods-lunch-better-burgers-choicer-chicken, if you're into that sort of thing).
and http://www.economist.com/news/business/21638120-why-slightly-more-upmarket-outlets-are-eating-fast-foods-lunch-better-burgers-choicer-chicken, if you're into that sort of thing).
tanzanitefairy's review against another edition
4.0
this is the book that initiated a 7 year run of a meat free diet (pretty much stopped immediately after reading this) and the knowledge i gained permanently altered my perspective. in relation to food, ignorance truly is bliss so read at your own risk!!
edit: i’d like to note that i did read this when i was maybe 12-13 so it’s impact was greater, but i think it could be appreciated in other life stages too
edit: i’d like to note that i did read this when i was maybe 12-13 so it’s impact was greater, but i think it could be appreciated in other life stages too
lurdesabruscato's review against another edition
3.0
Geared toward youngsters but a fine read for adults, this book definitely makes you reevaluate what you're eating. It offers an in-depth, and often disgusting, look at the fast food industry, factory farms and the things you can't imagine are in your food. I especially appreciated the bit on "natural flavoring" and hidden items in ingredient lists. Be prepared to spend hours in the grocery store!
carlylottsofbookz's review against another edition
5.0
It's amazing how this book was adapted for younger readers. I first bought Fast Food Nation hoping to use it in class. And I was dismayed at the language the book was written in. I liked what it had to say, just that it took a lot to say what he wanted.
Chew On This had to cut out a lot of what was in Fast Food Nation, but it is shorter and more kid-friendly.
A good read.
Chew On This had to cut out a lot of what was in Fast Food Nation, but it is shorter and more kid-friendly.
A good read.
madlymadly's review against another edition
4.0
A great book for pre-teens and teens. It's somewhat a toned-down version of Fast Food Nation. I found Fast Food Nation to be more engaging, but wanted to read through Chew on This before passing it along to our boys to read. I look forward to discussing it with them.
minseigle's review against another edition
3.0
I give this book 3-3.5 stars. I read it prior to my 8th grader reading it. I was very enthralled with the first chapter. So many interesting facts about fast food places and people!! But, as the book wore on, it got a little boring for me. There were still some insteresting snippets here and there, but so much more about the meatpacking factories and chicken factories than I cared to know.
beelzebean's review against another edition
2.0
I read both this and Fast Food Nation (this is said to be the kid friendly version of FFN) quite a while ago, so much of the information is not as fresh in my mind. I will say that books like this and FFN greatly contributed to my orthorexia and other disordered eating that consumed me with fear and anxiety about eating for many years. I now have a very different and healthier view of food and nutrition and see the major flaws and scare tactics that these types of media present.
Here are some of the issues I remember from this book, other than its promotion of disordered eating.
First, multiple claims not backed by data or skewed in order to promote an agenda. So Ronald MacDonald is more famous than Mickey Mouse? Meat packing is the most dangerous job in the US? As far as I remember there isn’t a citation for these, or many other claims.
Second, multiple anecdotes and worst case scenarios used to represent the norm. For example, he greatly discusses ground meat being contaminated with E.Coli. Certainly, food borne illnesses can happen anywhere and as far as I’m aware, they don’t primarily occur in fast food kitchens.
Thirdly. Yes, nutrition is very important for good health but it’s not the only factor. Things such as socioeconomic background, access to healthcare, amount of physical activity, and genetics play a big part in our health as well. Demonizing one thing (such as fast food) or simply having Dr. Oz describe organs of unhealthy deceased patients (such as in this book) doesn’t seem credible to me. Also, it is fully possible to have a fast food burger once in a while as part of a healthy diet. Any food can cause health issues if that’s all you are eating, including kale.
Fourth. I believe that everyone should be aware of where their food comes from, how it’s processed, and how food animals are treated. However, I do not see using scare tactics and extreme examples on children/teens as a good method of education. I’ve also noticed that many of these food scare books leave out how migrant farm workers and food factory workers are often exploited and treated inhumanely as well.
In summary, there are some important issues presented in this book but I feel the facts are skewed and that only half truths are presented. Also, using fear to scare youth into eating healthy seems like a recipe for lifelong disordered eating.
(Note, I may read this again and alter my review, after I’ve been refreshed)
Here are some of the issues I remember from this book, other than its promotion of disordered eating.
First, multiple claims not backed by data or skewed in order to promote an agenda. So Ronald MacDonald is more famous than Mickey Mouse? Meat packing is the most dangerous job in the US? As far as I remember there isn’t a citation for these, or many other claims.
Second, multiple anecdotes and worst case scenarios used to represent the norm. For example, he greatly discusses ground meat being contaminated with E.Coli. Certainly, food borne illnesses can happen anywhere and as far as I’m aware, they don’t primarily occur in fast food kitchens.
Thirdly. Yes, nutrition is very important for good health but it’s not the only factor. Things such as socioeconomic background, access to healthcare, amount of physical activity, and genetics play a big part in our health as well. Demonizing one thing (such as fast food) or simply having Dr. Oz describe organs of unhealthy deceased patients (such as in this book) doesn’t seem credible to me. Also, it is fully possible to have a fast food burger once in a while as part of a healthy diet. Any food can cause health issues if that’s all you are eating, including kale.
Fourth. I believe that everyone should be aware of where their food comes from, how it’s processed, and how food animals are treated. However, I do not see using scare tactics and extreme examples on children/teens as a good method of education. I’ve also noticed that many of these food scare books leave out how migrant farm workers and food factory workers are often exploited and treated inhumanely as well.
In summary, there are some important issues presented in this book but I feel the facts are skewed and that only half truths are presented. Also, using fear to scare youth into eating healthy seems like a recipe for lifelong disordered eating.
(Note, I may read this again and alter my review, after I’ve been refreshed)
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
4.0
I read this to test for use in a 9th grade class, and because of the economic theories presented in it, the fabulous (and scary) information on advertising to children, and literally 'life-saving' information about what you are doing to your body when you continually eat fast food - I just have to include it! I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a quick read aimed at 9-15 year olds, but honestly, everyone should read it, esp. if you didn't read Fast Food Nation (same author).