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Ask HN: Which is the best book on nutrition?

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Re: Ask HN: Which is the best book on nutrition?

#11

Post by coolswan »

audition wrote: post #8

I'd start with a movie, not a book. The movie is "Game Changers", directed by James Cameron, and released last month on Netflix and Amazon Video. If you're skeptical about the science behind the movie, read the critique published in Men's Health magazine along with the rebuttal from one of the MD's interviewed in the film. Next I'd read "The Engine 2 seven-day rescue diet" by Rip Esselstyn. If you a more in-depth tre…

A bunch of people debunking the movie, e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV8RVKX-ues

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best book on nutrition?

#12

Post by raspasov »

audition wrote: post #8

I'd start with a movie, not a book. The movie is "Game Changers", directed by James Cameron, and released last month on Netflix and Amazon Video. If you're skeptical about the science behind the movie, read the critique published in Men's Health magazine along with the rebuttal from one of the MD's interviewed in the film. Next I'd read "The Engine 2 seven-day rescue diet" by Rip Esselstyn. If you a more in-depth tre…

It is not directed by James Cameron, he's just one of the people who gave money for it (aka producers). And I'm sorry for the strong language, but the movie is absolute garbage as far as science is concerned. One-sided, one-liner "summaries" of studies, very heavy on examples that have nothing to do with science or proper research (aka vegetarian fighter beats meat-eating one, vegetarian strongman sets records, etc etc).

You can watch the debate on Joe Rogan and draw your own conclusions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0zgNY_kqlI . The only thing I can equate the director of that movie is Donald Trump, a total demagogue.

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best book on nutrition?

#13

Post by Ewigkeit »

One thing that might be a good thing to focus on over all would be nutrient density and secondly bioavailability and its relation to your genetics ie. how well your body can convert/make use of said nutrients. I'm a fan of Dr. Rhonda Patrick, Joel Fuhrman and his book Eat to Live. Deep Nutrition is another good book that covers the things modern diets often miss out on. Cronometer is a good place to check nutrient density of foods. If you've done 23andMe or other genetic testing you may want to run your data through Promethease or just check individual SNPs relevant to vegetarians like DHA/EPA conversion.

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best book on nutrition?

#15

Post by lake99 »

> especially vegetarian

Given that you have already made that choice, I'd recommend "How Not to Die" by Dr. Michael Greger. One of my biggest criticisms of Greger is that he is ignores any study that shows benefits of eating animals, even for specific conditions. People who would like to continue eating animals would find it easy to dismiss Greger for being so one-sided in what kinds of studies he cites. However, if you've already made the choice to prefer vegetarian, Greger's book (and videos) are an easy recommendation.

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best book on nutrition?

#17

Post by open-source-ux »

The best book I've read on this topic is by a British Botanist and TV presenter called James Wong. His book 'How to eat better' lists commonly available fruit and vegetables at your local supermarket and tells you which are the best varieties to pick and why (no surprise that the greener or redder the fruit or vegetable, the more nutrionally rich it is).

You won't find obscure ingredients, or advice on micromanaging your diet (which takes out all the pleasure of eating), but you will find simple advice you can put immediately into practice.

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best book on nutrition?

#18

Post by ekr »

Perfect Health Diet is the best I've read, but the authors seem to be overemphasizing a bit the effect of their diet plans. Diet alone won't cure all your illnesses completely. The sentiment reflected in the book is the opposite.

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best book on nutrition?

#19

Post by evolve2k »

lake99 wrote: post #15

> especially vegetarian Given that you have already made that choice, I'd recommend "How Not to Die" by Dr. Michael Greger. One of my biggest criticisms of Greger is that he is ignores any study that shows benefits of eating animals, even for specific conditions. People who would like to continue eating animals would find it easy to dismiss Greger for being so one-sided in what kinds of studies he cites. However, if…

Here’s Greger interviewed. He literally takes the approach you are wanting. Going all out on just reading tonnes and tonnes of research infact there’s a whole team of them doing it and summarising every few years.

I’m sure there are better podcasts but this is the one my partner got me to listen to where he’s interviewed.

https://pca.st/episode/1b64f09b-02bc-4fa7-92cd-8d1f23f7e6ea

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