The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why [Illustrated] (Paperback)

--Full Disclosure: I'm the one who recommended Jonny Bowden to write this book. No one paid me; I did it simply because I knew he was the best man for the job. As a result, I was fortunate enough to read it before it became available to the general public, and I can say without reservation that Jonny has knocked it out of the park. If you're interested in food and nutrition, you need this book. If you think you already know a lot about food and nutrition, you *REALLY* need this book -- because I guarantee you, you *will* learn something new. Probably several somethings new, and some of it is going to surprise you. Jonny slaughters a few sacred cows, I warn you. If you're just starting to learn about nutrition, this book will bring you up to speed virtually overnight. Furthermore, it will entertain you while doing so. Jonny knows his stuff, and that's important. What's equally important is that he writes really well. You won't slog through pages of musty jargon. Jonny's writing is clear, engaging, and fun to read. If you're like me, and find being entertained and educated at the same time almost too wonderful to bear, Jonny's your guy. In short, this is the nutrition book -- and probably the health book -- of the year -- and the year hasn't even started yet. Still, with the perspective of thirty years of fascination with nutrition, I say that with absolute confidence. If you care about your health, or just like learning --Dana Carpender<br /><br />This is a beautifully presented book, a pleasure to look at with its crisp photos and clean layout. The content more than matches the promise of the aesthetics - it's packed with all sorts of gems, including: * "Ask the Expert" top 10 food lists from various authorities who are either health writers or practitioners * starred entries within the list of 150 foods, designating the cream of the crop * a glossary that helpfully defines various nutrients, hormones, diseases, etc * mini-lessons on such hot topics as the glycemic index, differentiation of fats, and eating organically * interpretation of foods from homeopathic, Ayurvedic, and yoga nutritional therapy perspectives The 150 selected foods are organised into chapters by food genres: Vegetables; Grains; Beans & Legumes; Fruits; Nuts, Seeds, and Nut Butters; Soy Foods; Dairy; Meat, Poultry, and Eggs; Fish and Seafood; Specialty Foods; Beverages; Herb, Spices, and Condiments; Oils; and Sweeteners. Each food listing carries an explanation of which nutrients makes it a winner, why these nutrients are so good for us, who in particular would benefit, and who's at risk and so should avoid that particular food. Jonny even frequently provides tips on selection and preparation. So much of the information is fascinating, and often surprising. Discover that cashews are a member of the poison ivy family, while eggplant is actually a berry and falls into the nightshade grouping. Learn that raspberries are calorie for calorie one of the most high-fibre foods on the planet, and that spinach and tomatoes are great for your eyes thanks to the lutein in them. Determine how to convert unsalted butter to ghee, which is one of the finest cooking oils available and provides an important rejuvenating tonic for the mind, brain, and nervous system. And realize that country of origin of cheese affects its cancer-fighting, fat-reducing properties. Although very entertaining, this book is still solidly backed by the science. The research presented is impressive, but Jonny is adept at making complex things simple. As a result, the book is an easy and engaging read - so much so that it feels a little like enjoying a conversation wi --Anna Khuta

The author, Jonny Bowden, is a nutritionalist but is one of the few who has remained an independent thinker. He hasn t nailed his colours to the mast of a particular Super Food; and he has refrained from saying that any particular ingredient should be avoided at all cost (apart from the infamous trans-fatty acids). Jonny presents a book that is noteworthy for its lack of hype and scare-mongering. He offers an unbiased view of foods and discusses their individual benefits. He encourages you to think of foods as friends rather than unsavoury (or savoury for that matter) acquaintances who won t take no for an answer. This is an easy book to read, use and appreciate. Jonny starts with an overview and an explanation of dietary terms. He doesn t assume that you have a degree in something health-related and he targets his wisdom towards the general public who want to eat balanced and healthful meals. When I say diet I don t mean that The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth focuses on weight loss. It s true, however, that a balanced diet will promote a slimmer and sleeker you if you happen to be a bit on the chubby side. This book is a tool to aid healthy eating and to allow you to make the best possible food choices. The book is divided by food type with sections devoted to each food group. There are the useful additions of chapters for beverages and herbs and spices as well as oils and sweeteners. The volume of information on each item is considerable, with both pros and cons discussed. He busts some food myths: that chocolate is the root of mankind s undoing, and that you would be better off if you banished coffee from your life forever. Sounding good, isn t it? Jonny Bowden has a raft of experts who have added their personal Top 10 foods at the end of each section, and there are plenty of Worth Knowing notes to further add to the breadth of information. He has an easy accessible style of writing that is neither condescending nor over-technical. It s a book to read and enjoy but it has a serious message. You can lead a healthier life by just making a few painless adjustments, and you ll feel better for it. --Mostly Food dot com , May, 2009

..the most fascinating and intriguing bible of whole foods that you will ever have the plaesure of reading...the research is impeccable - -- --Anne Louise Gitterman, author of The Fat Flush

A complete guide to the healthiest foods you can eat - and how to cook them! Why get your nutrients from expensive supplements when you can enjoy delicious, nourishing foods instead? From almonds to yucca, readers will find out what nutrients each of the 150 featured foods contains, what form contains the most nutrients, if it's been recommended to combat any diseases, where to find it, how to prepare it, and how much to eat - plus wonderful recipes using these sometimes obscure foods! Indexes by nutrient, by disease, and by food make finding what you need a snap, and the at-a-glance format makes the information as easy to digest as the foods themselves.