As a (former?) researcher in nutrition and mental health (among other things) - I've been waiting for a book like this.

I've said before that I love books that change my mind or challenge ideas I currently hold. As soon as I heard the intro of this stunning audiobook, I knew this would be one of those books. The author directly engages with how scientists (especially those doing nutrition research) can fall into the trap of shaming people, and especially mothers, for poor nutritional choices when the data clearly states the benefits of "healthy" food. It's easy to default to simple explanations with "easy" solutions: food desserts, food insecurity, price of "bad" vs "good" foods, lack of nutritional education, time and convenience, etc, etc... but these don't tell the whole story.

This book tackles the complexity of these factors and more through a case study of four families of differing socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds, complemented by observations of several dozen other individuals. The focus narrows further to mothers with children old enough to make some of their own nutritional choices. The author does an amazing job of empathizing with everyone she interviews of offering compassionate and fresh explanations into how and why people relate to food the way that they do.

One interesting takeaway that will now live in my brain is the class divide: if you can economically ensure many things for your child and say "yes" to lots of their asks, it's easy to say "no" to a kitkat. But if you keep denying your child money for camp, hobbies, new clothes... the kitkat is one of the few treats you can actually give. The context of "treat" food is completely different.

(and all families eat "treat" food. And all mothers stress about food and about wanting to do well by their kids)

As a scientist and human, I've spent a lot of time thinking and stressing about healthy nutrition. I'm aware of what doesn't work: diet culture, shame spirals, restriction. In my own life, I try to practice abundance and to listen to cues from my body. And I have the great luck and joy of being able to spend time cooking my own with fresh ingredients or going out for greasy, deep-fried, and savoury comfort food. I'm hungry now and I feel like choosing the latter (for reasons that have little to do with nutrition).

Back on track: recommended if you're interested in how obsession with nutrition and food purity/righteousness doesn't necessarily translate well into daily life, the burden of modern mothering in an age of information and overwork, and if you enjoy excellently-written accessible sociology. 4.5 stars rounded up.

More thoughts here: https://youtu.be/N13GyePhEvk