Healthy Foods - by Myrna Chandler Goldstein & Mark A Goldstein MD (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book presents research findings about 50 foods that are commonly touted as healthy and educates readers about the medical problems they purportedly alleviate or help prevent.
It is always in the best interest of those who market foods to make grandiose claims regarding their nutritional value, regardless of whether actual scientific proof exists to support such a claim. Even diligent and educated consumers often have difficulty discerning facts from mere theory or pure marketing hype.

As the incidence of childhood obesity in the United States continues to increase at an alarming rate and food costs skyrocket, this book arrives at a perfect time for health-conscious consumers, providing an authoritative reference for anyone looking to make wise eating decisions at home, work, school, or in restaurants. Healthy Foods: Fact versus Fiction is the result of a collaborative effort between a medical doctor and an award-winning journalist and author on nutrition. This book provides actual research findings to shed light on the true benefits of the most popular health foods--and in some cases, debunk misconceptions surrounding certain foods.

• Includes 50 topics covering the most popular health foods, such as blueberries, buckwheat, and capers
• Comprises the exhaustive research of a physician and an acclaimed independent scholar and writer
• 50 photographs are provided to illustrate each type of food
• A glossary containing hundreds of entries explains common terms such as "protein" and "antioxidant" as well as medical terminology like "gastric dysrhythmia"

Book Synopsis

This book presents research findings about 50 foods that are commonly touted as healthy and educates readers about the medical problems they purportedly alleviate or help prevent.

It is always in the best interest of those who market foods to make grandiose claims regarding their nutritional value, regardless of whether actual scientific proof exists to support such a claim. Even diligent and educated consumers often have difficulty discerning facts from mere theory or pure marketing hype.

As the incidence of childhood obesity in the United States continues to increase at an alarming rate and food costs skyrocket, this book arrives at a perfect time for health-conscious consumers, providing an authoritative reference for anyone looking to make wise eating decisions at home, work, school, or in restaurants. Healthy Foods: Fact versus Fiction is the result of a collaborative effort between a medical doctor and an award-winning journalist and author on nutrition. This book provides actual research findings to shed light on the true benefits of the most popular health foods--and in some cases, debunk misconceptions surrounding certain foods.

Review Quotes

"Thoroughly 'reader-friendly' and enhanced with the inclusion of a glossary and an index, Healthy Foods: Fact Versus Fiction is ideal for both school and community Food & Nutritional Health instructional reference collections." --Midwest Book Review

"This book will appeal to a wide range of health-conscious readers, even those with little time for in-depth study. It is highly recommended for public libraries, although school and even academic libraries will likely see it circulate widely." --Library Journal

"Healthy Foods: Fact versus Fiction is ideal for both school and community food and nutritional health instruction reference collections and would be useful at the undergraduate level, as well." --Booklist

"...this handy reference will be useful in helping readers identify healthier foods to include in their diet to maintain weight control and prevent medical problems associated with being overweight...contains a useful glossary of terms and a solid index...Recommended." --Choice

"All in all, this is a very interesting and helpful book. I found myself drawn in to read more and more. It is quite apparent that the authors spent a lot of time digging through the research so as to be able to compile this book. Consumers and professionals alike should find much in this book to inform and fascinate them." --Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior

"Naturally, a reference book that summarizes the science-based nutritional attributes of popular whole foods might make a great addition to your library or client reading list. In that case, include Healthy Foods: Fact Versus Fiction. . . . The authors have provided an easy-to-use guide summarizing the key scientific findings on today's popular whole foods." --Today's Dietitian

About the Author

Myrna Chandler Goldstein is an independent scholar and writer who has won awards in journalism as well as the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award.

Mark A. Goldstein, MD, is chief of the division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA.