Food and Nutrition Book Summary - Food and Nutrition Book explained in key points
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Food and Nutrition summary

P.K. Newby

What Everyone Needs to Know

4 (274 ratings)
24 mins

Brief summary

'Food and Nutrition' by P.K. Newby provides a comprehensive guide to healthy eating, including the science behind nutrition and practical advice for making sustainable lifestyle changes.

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    Food and Nutrition
    Summary of 8 key ideas

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    Making the right food choices affects both you and the planet.

    Is what you eat really that important? The answer is, of course, yes. That’s the easy bit. Explaining why, on the other hand, is much harder. Conversations about healthy eating can quickly get confusing – and personal. 

    But it is possible to cut through the noise.

    The key message here is: Making the right food choices affects both you and the planet.

    First of all, what you choose to eat directly impacts your health. Biochemists and nutrition scientists agree that up to 80 percent of chronic diseases can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. Obviously, your diet plays a large role in this. 

    But there’s more. What you buy at the supermarket also directly impacts the planet. Currently, the way we produce food is very harmful to our land, sea, and air. The food industry creates a lot of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, which directly contribute to climate change.

    We’re now producing more food than ever before, and it’s helping in the global battle against hunger. Over the last 23 years, the rate of hunger in developing countries has fallen by more than 10 percent. 

    But we’re also wasting food on an epic scale. Every year, around 1.3 billion tons of perfectly edible food are thrown away. And it’s not just about vegetables and meat. It’s also a huge waste of money, resources, and energy.

    So what does this all mean? Well, for one, we should be more aware of what we’re eating. And two, we need to be more mindful of how much food we need, where it comes from, and how it’s produced. Every time we buy food we’re making choices – and whether or not we’re consciously thinking about them, these choices reflect our personal values about the world we want to live in.

    We theoretically know how to produce enough food to feed everyone on the planet. We also have the technology to build sustainable, eco-friendly food systems. So what are we waiting for? Now is the perfect time to reconsider the kind of food systems we’re supporting with our current food choices.

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    What is Food and Nutrition about?

    Food and Nutrition (2018) looks at the science behind what we eat. Based on only the best and most thorough studies, it cuts through the noise and fads to reveal what we really know about healthy eating.

    Food and Nutrition Review

    Food and Nutrition by P.K. Newby (2020) offers a comprehensive exploration of the relationship between our diet and our health. Here are three reasons why this book is worth reading:

    • It provides practical, evidence-based guidance on making informed food choices, empowering readers to improve their well-being.
    • By examining the latest research, the book sheds light on the complexities of the modern food system, helping readers navigate the often confusing world of nutrition.
    • With its clear explanations and accessible writing style, this book offers an engaging and informative exploration of food and nutrition, making it a fascinating read.

    Best quote from Food and Nutrition

    It is difficult to conceive that 30–50% of edible food is wasted worldwide...

    —P.K. Newby
    example alt text

    Who should read Food and Nutrition?

    • Anyone interested in what actually constitutes a healthy diet
    • Foodies who want to make better choices
    • People curious about sustainable farming

    About the Author

    P.K. Newby is a self-described “recovering academic.” She has a doctorate from Harvard, a couple of master’s degrees from Columbia, and has served on the faculty of both Harvard and Boston University. Since 2012 she’s been a writer and entrepreneur focused on debunking junk science and helping people make better decisions about what they eat. Her other books include Superfoods (2016) and Foods for Health (2014).

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    Food and Nutrition FAQs 

    What is the main message of Food and Nutrition?

    The main message of Food and Nutrition is to take control of your health through proper nutrition and a balanced diet.

    How long does it take to read Food and Nutrition?

    The reading time for Food and Nutrition varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Food and Nutrition a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Food and Nutrition is worth reading because it provides valuable insights on how to make healthy food choices that can positively impact your well-being.

    Who is the author of Food and Nutrition?

    The author of Food and Nutrition is P.K. Newby.

    What to read after Food and Nutrition?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Food and Nutrition, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • Fast. Feast. Repeat. by Gin Stephens
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    • Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
    • Super Immunity by Joel Fuhrman
    • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey