Books That Changed My Eating Habits

1. Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

(reviews taken from Amazon)

Fast food has hastened the malling of our landscape, widened the chasm between rich and poor, fueled an epidemic of obesity, and propelled American cultural imperialism abroad. That's a lengthy list of charges, but Eric Schlosser makes them stick with an artful mix of first-rate reportage, wry wit, and careful reasoning.

Schlosser's myth-shattering survey stretches from California's subdivisions, where the business was born, to the industrial corridor along the New Jersey Turnpike, where many of fast food's flavors are concocted. Along the way, he unearths a trove of fascinating, unsettling truths -- from the unholy alliance between fast food and Hollywood to the seismic changes the industry has wrought in food production, popular culture, and even real estate.

My review: I loved this book. It basically exposes the effects of a fast-food culture on our nation: obesity, worker's rights, farming industries, etc. It also made me never EVER want to go to a McDonald's, Burger King, or the like again.

2. Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

Author Barbara Kingsolver and her family abandoned the industrial-food pipeline to live a rural life—vowing that, for one year, they’d only buy food raised in their own neighborhood, grow it themselves, or learn to live without it. Part memoir, part journalistic investigation, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is an enthralling narrative that will open your eyes in a hundred new ways to an old truth: You are what you eat.

I loved this book because it made me so much more aware of where my food comes from. Gardening, farming, and writing about it was all she did for a year, so it's a full-time job. Maybe someday I can do that - even just a small garden.

3. South Beach Diet by Dr. Arthur Agatson

I love several things about this series of books, cookbooks, and guides. First off, Dr. Agatson is a cardiologist, and created this diet out of need for a lack of heart-healthy diets for his patients to follow. As a cardiac rehab employee, this really resounds with me. My patients are constantly asking about which diets are safe, effective, etc. This diet is not only healthy, but also it tastes amazing. My second reason for loving this diet is that the recipes are very simple, but also elegant and cater to a more foodie crowd. I used the cookbook for ideas for salmon glazes, quick snacks, and healthy desserts. I need to buy the cookbook because I keep checking it out from the library and have to return it!

So that's my list. What's yours?