Publishers Weekly
★ 12/02/2019
Egan (Devoured: How What We Eat Defines Who We Are), a contributor to the New York Times’s Well blog, offers a “radically practical” approach to eating both ethically and well in her insightful book. Using a three-question framework—asking whether something is good for oneself, for others, and for the planet—Egan presents thought-provoking ways to consider food choices, such as how much water a particular food item requires to produce. For instance, a handful of almonds require 23 gallons of water, while a stick of string cheese needs less. But cheese’s carbon footprint is higher, and the nuts are healthier. Or one could opt for peanuts, which use less water than other nuts and are more affordable to boot. The section on seafood encompasses not only safety (via checking Seafoodwatch.org) but the effect on ocean habitats as well as fair wages for fishermen. Egan displays a talent for making the environmental complexities of food choices comprehensible, so that even discussions of food waste are intriguing. Setting a positive and encouraging tone throughout, she provides a thorough primer to combining health consciousness and environmental responsibility. Agent: Danielle Svetcov, Levine, Greenberg, Rostan Literary. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
…smart and sensible approach to eating consciously…” —Michael Pollan, New York Times bestselling author
"If you’ve ever stalled out in the refrigerated aisle debating the environmental merits of oat vs. almond milk, add this book to your bedside table. Sophie Egan provides clear, non-judgmental information... It’s a practical guide that empowers readers to understand the plethora of labels and claims out there and make informed food choices every time you go to the store." —Bon Appetit.com “The clearest, most useful food book I own. Thank you, Sophie, from my stomach, farm animals everywhere, and my great-great-grandchildren.”—A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author “Thought-provoking… Egan displays a talent for making the environmental complexities of food choices comprehensible… [A] thorough primer to combining health consciousness and environmental responsibility.” – Publishers Weekly starred review “Egan (Devoured: How We Eat Defines Who We Are) presents a voice of reason in the cacophony of advice about food and diet that surrounds us…Recommended for everyone who eats, particularly those who hope to improve their own health and the planet’s by doing so.”—Library Journal starred review “Readers will find much to take away, including reminders that our consumer behavior can drive change and that what's good for us and good for the planet often align.”—Booklist
Library Journal
★ 03/01/2020
Egan (Devoured: How We Eat Defines Who We Are) presents a voice of reason in the cacophony of advice about food and diet that surrounds us. The book is based in nutrition science and presents three questions to ask ourselves when choosing what to eat: Is it good for me? Is it good for others? Is it good for the planet? Chapters are comprised of short essays on a particular subject, organized into four sections: plants, animals, factories, and restaurants, with the order reflecting the priority that plants, animals, processed foods, and dining out should have in our diets. Egan's advice considers consumers' budgetary restrictions and reflects the impact our choices have on the environment. Topics include food waste, slavery in the seafood industry, reading food and nutrition labels, myths about protein, and explanations of artificial sweeteners. VERDICT Recommended for everyone who eats, particularly those who hope to improve their own health and the planet's by doing so.—Rachel Owens, Daytona State Coll. Lib., FL
