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dcd220's review
5.0
An excellent book that debunks food myths. Dr. Wolrich teases through the science of each claim without reading like a research article. There is enough nuance acknowledged to move away from black or white thinking when it comes to food and health. Hopefully this can shed more light on why the phrase "food is medicine" is so harmful.
jovia1947's review
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.75
This food debunks food and nutrition myths and gives an outlook on diet culture and the weight stigma that we have as a society. I can say it is a good read for those who want information on diet culture and weight myths but if you are looking for nutrition advice you wont get that much
margaret_hovestadt's review against another edition
3.0
Very informative. It was an interesting read which taught me a lot. It also changed my perspective on some things.
fleshemoji's review
5.0
Another Jameela Jamil-enabled find, courtesy of her podcast, and a good, backed-up essay on why equating food with medicine is dangerous, and just plain wrong.
If you are not new to the nutribollocks, to use Dr. Joshua Wolrich's own term, rampant in the diet industry, perhaps not much in this book will come as a surprise, or indeed qualify as new information, however it does address the main claims and at the very least, I found it helpful to have everything collected in one easy to refer to book. Especially with so much value being sunk into food (a necessity and, unfortunately, a luxury to so many around the world still), it's really important in my opinion to really take away words like "clean", "skinny" etc. from something we rely on in order to develop and function properly. No one peddling a new fad diet ever tells you just how much wonderful stuff your body does for you, RIGHT NOW, no matter your size, and I think any context that seeks to change you by making you feel you are not a worthy, valuable human from the get-go, and disguise it as for your own good, is sleazy and downright unacceptable.
Dr. Wolrich holds no space for that, and is very transparent with his own journey getting to a Health at Every Size approach from someone who used to fall for all that diet crap hook, line, and sinker. This frankly is very refreshing (I mean, if anything, not enough medical professionals are aware of their fatphobia and that just leads to inappropriate standards of care for heavier patients, which is NOT OKAY). This book is a safe space to read about these issues and understand how much your anxiety is being preyed upon if you find conversations about weight and food choices difficult and/or triggering.
If you are not new to the nutribollocks, to use Dr. Joshua Wolrich's own term, rampant in the diet industry, perhaps not much in this book will come as a surprise, or indeed qualify as new information, however it does address the main claims and at the very least, I found it helpful to have everything collected in one easy to refer to book. Especially with so much value being sunk into food (a necessity and, unfortunately, a luxury to so many around the world still), it's really important in my opinion to really take away words like "clean", "skinny" etc. from something we rely on in order to develop and function properly. No one peddling a new fad diet ever tells you just how much wonderful stuff your body does for you, RIGHT NOW, no matter your size, and I think any context that seeks to change you by making you feel you are not a worthy, valuable human from the get-go, and disguise it as for your own good, is sleazy and downright unacceptable.
Dr. Wolrich holds no space for that, and is very transparent with his own journey getting to a Health at Every Size approach from someone who used to fall for all that diet crap hook, line, and sinker. This frankly is very refreshing (I mean, if anything, not enough medical professionals are aware of their fatphobia and that just leads to inappropriate standards of care for heavier patients, which is NOT OKAY). This book is a safe space to read about these issues and understand how much your anxiety is being preyed upon if you find conversations about weight and food choices difficult and/or triggering.
rachmellow's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
albloomy's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dr Josh writes about how garbage diet culture is from a place of knowledge, deep understanding and science backed research.
The book is written in accessible language and broken down into discreet chapters on the different topics covered. It was easy to read and follow without needing too much time needed to digest the information as with some non fiction books.
This book is an excellent antidote to the nonsense of flat tummy teas and bikini body challenges of social media.
Dr Josh writes about how garbage diet culture is from a place of knowledge, deep understanding and science backed research.
The book is written in accessible language and broken down into discreet chapters on the different topics covered. It was easy to read and follow without needing too much time needed to digest the information as with some non fiction books.
This book is an excellent antidote to the nonsense of flat tummy teas and bikini body challenges of social media.
nitroglycerin's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.5
So, I don't follow Joshua Wolrich on Instagram but I have come across his posts before. His mission is valid and worth applauding. Nutribollocks is something I deal with every day at work in the UKs largest health and wellness retailer. Its pervasive and destructive.
I read this after reading Ultra-Procesed People put a lot of fear in me about the food we eat. This is also just after I've lost a third family member to Cancer (fourth if you include Basil the dog) in three years (three in the last 12 months!). This book was meant to give me some balance, which I guess it did.
Both books are great for making you feel less guilty about being fat or "overweight". UPP does it by blaming corporations stuffing us with additives and less nutritious food, while Food isn't medicine blames people peddaling nutribollocks for confusing us and making us all go through these diet/binge cycles.
FIM debunks the science behind bullshit diet plans such as keto, juicing, and alkaline diet among others. For a lay person he explains everything simply, and while I'm not an expert I found some parts a bit too simple for me. I'd have liked more depth. It is however something I can pass onto customers who think they need to alkalise their body (they don't) or want cures for keto flu (eat carbs!!!).
My main take away from this (and UPP) is that yes I need to eat more wholefoods but I also need to repair my relationship with food, guilt, and restrictions, as well as body image.
I read this after reading Ultra-Procesed People put a lot of fear in me about the food we eat. This is also just after I've lost a third family member to Cancer (fourth if you include Basil the dog) in three years (three in the last 12 months!). This book was meant to give me some balance, which I guess it did.
Both books are great for making you feel less guilty about being fat or "overweight". UPP does it by blaming corporations stuffing us with additives and less nutritious food, while Food isn't medicine blames people peddaling nutribollocks for confusing us and making us all go through these diet/binge cycles.
FIM debunks the science behind bullshit diet plans such as keto, juicing, and alkaline diet among others. For a lay person he explains everything simply, and while I'm not an expert I found some parts a bit too simple for me. I'd have liked more depth. It is however something I can pass onto customers who think they need to alkalise their body (they don't) or want cures for keto flu (eat carbs!!!).
My main take away from this (and UPP) is that yes I need to eat more wholefoods but I also need to repair my relationship with food, guilt, and restrictions, as well as body image.
lou_christie's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder