Feeding Lies Til They Believe It
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I do applaud As a registered dietitian, I was very excited to pick this book up (it didn't hurt that it was 50% off when I bought it!) But looking at the author's name, I should have known right away it wouldn't be the best quality, because she has no credentials whatsoever. She calls herself a "food activist," but that doesn't translate into understanding the science research that she attempts to interpret. Yet her alarmist view on foods is the probably the least problematic part of this book.
I do applaud her for fighting against the tactics the food/agricultural/chemical industries use at the cost of American's health. Her thoroughness diving into the tactics these industries use, the same tactics Big Tobacco used decades ago, is the highlight of this book. Unfortunately, that doesn't make up for the overwhelming faults of this book.
My biggest problem with this book isn't that she slams registered dietitians so often (which is unfair, as the majority of us are not accepting money from food companies to peddle sodas and the like). My biggest problem is her condescending, holier-than-thou, privileged view on how we should eat. Is it ideal to eat organic, non-GMO foods? Sure. But throughout each chapter detailing the different additives/pesticides/flavoring in our food, her voice comes off as "I care about my health and my family's health, so I only buy organic. Do you love your family enough to do the same?" And it's just not that easy.
Millions of Americans can barely afford to put food on the table, let alone organic produce, meat, and dairy. As a dietitian, my focus is getting my clients to wean off processed foods and turn towards fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean meats. Especially for those in a lower socioeconomic class, that is already a struggle enough. Why spend a dollar on a few apples when you can get a burger at McDonald's for that much? Part of my job is helping educate people on how to make eating healthier possible on a budget. But when you struggle to even be able to buy some frozen veggies and fresh chicken, why on earth would you concern yourself with whether it's organic or not?!
The shame and condescension that Hari has threaded throughout her book is what makes this such an unpleasant read. You are not a bad person if you can't afford to buy non-GMO, organic, additive-free foods. And that's how Hari's book reads. If you don't make these changes to your diet, you don't care enough about your health and the health of those you love. It reminds me a lot of Girl, Wash Your Face. Yes, the main principles behind the book are noble, but the privilege of the author ruins the concept.
. This book was not written for the populations that are most affected by the food industry's playbook. It is written for those who can afford to shop at Whole Foods, who feel morally superior for "saving the health of their families." And that's a shame. ...more
All that the author has written could be summed up with the following:
- Big food companies, chemical companies, and government lie about nutrition.
- Do not eat processed food.
- Eat whole, natural foods.
For many years our country h
It's about time the lies of of food industry are exposed, and Vani Hari thoroughly investigates this deception and delivers it in an easy to read book. She highlights the widespread corruption of big food business & reveals how they are in bed with politicians, professors & "health experts" who consumers are led to believe are unbiased and trustworthy- all to promote their toxic products and pass them off to the public as not only edible, but healthy (it's laughable).For many years our country has failed us by allowing these companies to fill our family's food with harmful and toxic chemicals and substances that we have no business eating. Hari highlights how many of the same foods in other countries have a different list of ingredients because they are not allowed to get away with filling their products with these toxic chemicals. Apparently these businesses can still turn a profit in the U.K without using cheap additives and fillers, so why poison U.S. families with disease- causing ingredients? Because they can.
This book is an important step in the right direction that can hopefully lead to government reform that places stricter guidelines on ingredients used in our food. Or maybe these big businesses can reallocate their funds & spend more on quality ingredients to making a safer product, rather than spend millions in their PR department to convince us their foods aren't dangerous.
Thank you Vani Hari for being a pioneer and caring about the people who have been failed by the food industry.
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This extended conspiracy theory would be laughable if it wasn't so pathetic. She repeats the same couple of triumphs she had (which were ultimately embarrasingly bogus) over and over. And nobody is confused by the nutritio
My review of Vani Hari's new book: Everybody is lying to you. Except Vani. She has a yoga mat to prove it. Especially you lying shills (which is all of you, including Wikipedia editors). PS: Visit her TruVani sales site, buy her stuff (page 140). Because she's not lying to you.This extended conspiracy theory would be laughable if it wasn't so pathetic. She repeats the same couple of triumphs she had (which were ultimately embarrasingly bogus) over and over. And nobody is confused by the nutritional value of Coke vs. broccoli. She's really just a laughingstock at this point. Save yourself, walk away from this book. The exercise will actually be good for you.
BTW: Vani is lying about pasteurization of milk. She's lying about PLU codes on produce. She's lying about a 48-hour detox. Even peak crank Jeffrey Smith got PLU right, years ago.
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With Feeding You Lies by Vani Hari, all of these ties and lies are expl
The world of food and eating is quite complicated, made even more bewildering by the vested interests of massive corporations. The FDA is weak and ineffectual, leaving the companies to watch themselves. In such a case, who will watch the watchmen? Little groups that try are crowded out by the power of money. Phony companies and scientists in the pocket of Big Food try to obscure the truth when all people want is healthy food.With Feeding You Lies by Vani Hari, all of these ties and lies are explored. I have not heard of Vani Hari before. Apparently, she has a website and she is disliked by Big Food. This is news to me since I don't like reading or watching the news. As for food situations, I have read "Salt, Sugar, Fat" and I have read "Food: What the Heck Should I Eat." These have both made me familiar with some food industry machinations and manipulations. I am not really familiar with Food Movements though. This is mainly because of the effort it requires to research the science and Follow the Money, so to speak.
My personal stance on stuff like organic food, pesticides, and GMOs have always been ambivalent. I am not a fan of being poisoned, but I always assumed that the Government wasn't in the pockets of Big Food. As for GMOs, I never understood the backlash. We have been modifying our food since before the Bronze Age. As soon as we realized we could adjust crop yields and selectively breed better grain or fruit it has been difficult to stop doing so. However, now we have problems with intestinal disorders and things.
Vani Hari writes well enough, making a link between Big Tobacco and Big Food. I can recall seeing old cigarette commercials, but it has been a long time since they had any that targeted children. Sugary drinks and processed foods like candies and cakes are like the cigarettes of today. The only problem is that they are legal. The book is structured out in chapters. Makes sense, right? It starts by talking about the liars and how to follow the money. The next part shows the lies themselves. It talks about the foods we eat and why those foods are bad. The final part is an appendix that focuses on the various ingredients you can find in the foods you eat. It reads like a terrifying Chemistry textbook. I enjoyed this one. I found it in the library so it worked out pretty well.
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I read Marion Nestle's Food Politics, and I was looking for a more recent book on the same topic. This one covers some of the same content, but it was written by a blogger and consumer advocate who is self-educated in nutrition. I bri
I'm far from a perfect eater, but I do eat mostly whole foods, mostly vegetarian, and mostly home cooked. I choose not to read diet books or alternative health books because I don't need to be told to exclude more food groups or take supplements or detoxify myself.I read Marion Nestle's Food Politics, and I was looking for a more recent book on the same topic. This one covers some of the same content, but it was written by a blogger and consumer advocate who is self-educated in nutrition. I bristled at the tone, which was both alarmist and self-promoting. There is one key message in the book: eat organic, whole foods. The rest is a detailed account of unsafe ingredients in American processed foods. If you are new to looking at ingredient lists on food packages, it will be helpful. Since Hari proclaims that each food additive causes obesity, heart disease and cancer, the reader tends to tune out after a while. Are all of these items equally unhealthy? She would say yes. Sometimes she is guilty of doing exactly what the food industry does: finding just one study to prove her point.
If you live in the EU or another area with better food regulation, there's no need to read the book. I was disappointed that the author barely acknowledged problems with the cost and availability of organic foods.
I liked Hari's commentary on gluten-free diets without a diagnosis, and on the interactions between herbs and drugs. I didn't like her uncritical endorsement of coconut oil, and the "healthy nutrients" in honey and maple syrup (they have trace minerals). While taking down chemicals in food, she includes carrageenan which, while apparently not healthy, has a natural source - Irish moss. She doesn't comment on celery extract as a source of nitrites; in fact there is no section on nitrites and nitrates. There is no comment on the issues of cattle run-off on organic crops like spinach. She doesn't seem to know you can buy first-pressed organic canola oil or that modern varieties are very low in erucic acid (hey, I lived in Saskatchewan!) Her approach to food takes the fun out of eating: "My favourite sushi chef prepares a special roll with all veggies and no white rice or unhealthy sauces."
Hari now sells natural supplements; as with all herbal supplements, the ingredients (turmeric, "Indian ginseng", "marine collagen") are not proven to have specific health benefits, but they appear to be harmless.
I am sure that The Food Babe's approach has sold well, and it will influence others to read food labels and eat real food. As such, she writes for the same market as Michael Pollan and 100 Days of Real Food. So I will stop nitpicking and cede to the greater good! And kudos to her for including a "detox" plan which is actually just two days of healthy food!
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While I've been shouting to the roof tops for the past 20 years about our food system, everyone looks at me like I'm crazy (less so now, then when I first started preaching). So, I may not be able to convince you, but maybe Vani can. Or maybe like me you are already a Food Babe follower & believer. If so, this book is worth gifting to someone who needs a little push in the right direction. You never know, it might finally click with them & we will have yet another educated consumer on our side. For me, this book is a nice refresher for what I already know. I am hoping it will help me educate others regarding our food system. Unlike other books of this type, Vani keeps it very conversational. She never bogs the reader down with more information than they can handle. Everything is clear & easy to understand. She also backs up her statements, providing pages of end notes that list her sources.
Lastly, while Vani has her own line of food products (Truvani) she mentions it in the book but doesn't push her products. The mention simply goes with her story regarding our food system. She even has a 48 hour detox plan which simply suggests eating very healthy organic foods. No special foods from her Truvani line. When I consider how many authors use opportunities like this to self promote their supplements/products, the fact that Vani didn't do this is highly commendable. I greatly appreciate the lack of a sales pitch. This book is pure, real, information. What you do with it is up to you.
I wish you good health. ...more
Vani Hari is a food activist and this book helps explain and clarify just what is in the food we are eating that is making us as a society fatter and sicker than we have ever been. Turns
This should be a must read for anyone who eats, or cares even a little bit about what they eat and where their food comes from. If you have ever been confused by food labels, ingredients you can't pronounce, and conflicting information given to you by the food industry (Big Food), then you need to read this book.Vani Hari is a food activist and this book helps explain and clarify just what is in the food we are eating that is making us as a society fatter and sicker than we have ever been. Turns out Big Food doesn't really give a crap about your health, they just care about profits. (Shocking, I know! Sounds like Big Pharm).
This book is educational and also disturbing when you learn the lengths that the food industry goes to to perpetuate lies and keep you eating garbage. And they are pretty scary and deceptive when it comes to silencing food activists like this author who speak up and tell the truth. Some might argue that she is extreme but nobody can argue that she is not passionate. This stuff matters to her, and it should matter to all of us on some level.
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I will be receiving more fully on my blog page. Alisnextchapter.com on June 14.
This book is incredible useful. I discovered a lot of new information about how to eat safe and how to avoid the chemicals in our food.
Like any educational books, it helps to have more than just words. The information is very important and educational and I love learning about it. However the book was not very reader friendly. It didn't grab attention. It was simply just black on white. It would have helped if their was some colour, diagrams and infographics similar to her social posts. This would have made the information easier to process and digest.
Like any educational books, it helps to have more than just words. ...more
In her book, "Feeding You Lies," Hari argues that the food information chain has been corrupted by larger corporati Vani Hari, the "Food Babe," is one of the most controversial people involved in the food industry. She has made her fame and fortune from criticizing the deceptive practices of the food companies and big agriculture. She is not a dietician by training, but has amassed a serious and convincing argument about the quality of the foods for sale in America's restaurants and groceries..
In her book, "Feeding You Lies," Hari argues that the food information chain has been corrupted by larger corporations going after big profits at the expense of our health. Large front groups, supposedly unaffiliated, release studies and information, not disclosing that they get large amounts of their funding from industry sources. The media is compromised by their dependence on food company advertising, as are some universities, wikipedia and even Web MD.
While I like a good conspiracy theory as well as anyone, there has been a backlash against her charges that the food industry is in cahoots with the government and anyone else responsible for oversight of the nation's health. Sadly, I'm more likely to believe her story than paid representatives who have everything to lose if America starts eating healthier.
She points out identical foods sold in Europe and the USA, claiming that those sold here are much more processed and laden with chemicals, because of laxer regulations. There are more profits to be made by cutting corners, and the US market is allowing this to take place.
The second half of the book is an all out assault on some of the more damaging food myths popular in the United States. Most of these I've seen taken on in other well-regarded books, giving the author added power. These include:
- The myth of low calorie food being good for you. 100 calories of junk food can be much more damaging than 100 calories of healthier food. Plus zero calorie drinks can have unintended consequences that actually increase weight gain.
- The myth of fat being the main villain in foods. A lot of studies pointing the finger at fat were funded by the sugar industry. Sugar is the number one toxin according to this author, and she points out all sorts of ailments associated with added sugars.
- The dangers of soda consumption, even as Coca Cola is ranked as the number 3 food producer in the world. By giving us calories without any fiber, our pancreas and liver are put at risk, while the soft drink manufacturers point their fingers at Americans not exercising as why they are fat.
- Sugar free foods, fat free foods, and gluten free foods can still be very unhealthy, depending on what they substitute for the "free" ingredients.
- The flavor industry not only hides a multiple amount of sins in foods that are unpalatable and bland, but improving chemistry comes up with flavorings that makes foods addictive. She recounts the book "The Dorito Effect", in which the bland chips were slow sellers until someone came upon the secret recipe that added so much flavor that you couldn't stop eating Doritos.
- Fortified foods are tricks to make junk foods sound better, when the best way to get your vitamins and minerals is to eat fresh foods.
- The marriage of pesticide-resistant genetically modified organisms, (GMO's) and the world's most popular weed killer, (Roundup) means that farmers are so dependent on these items that pesticide residue is commonly found in our foods. No one knows for sure what these chemicals do to our body as we ingest them.
This is a book that will challenge your beliefs about the foods that you eat. It's a hard book to digest. (Pun intended.) But it could result in you choosing a healthier diet, reading food labels with a skeptical eye, and not falling for the latest food fads. She concludes the book with a 48 hour detox suggestion, and some helpful recipes for those who want to take the next step. I have no doubt that the food industry loves taking my money and doesn't particularly care if my food is healthy or not. That's up to me. What you put inside your body is the most important determinant of how healthy you will be in the future. Just as what you put inside your head determines your mental fitness and health.
Food for thought.
Food is medicine.
The FDA allows manufacturer to decide whether an ingredient is safe to eat or not sop as to not waste government resources.
Focus on the ingredients, not the calories.
Cook at home with real whole foods.
The sugar industry donated money to health organizations like the American heart Association an
Big Food invested huge resources into persuading people that their unhealthy products aren't behind the obesity, type 2 diabetes and chronic diseases affecting Americans on a grand scale.Food is medicine.
The FDA allows manufacturer to decide whether an ingredient is safe to eat or not sop as to not waste government resources.
Focus on the ingredients, not the calories.
Cook at home with real whole foods.
The sugar industry donated money to health organizations like the American heart Association and the American Diabetes Organization which led these groups to approve sugar as part of a healthy diet.
Sugar is a soft kill with weight gain, aging, inflammation, tooth decay, fatigue, poor immunity, heart problems, liver problems, and brain dangers.
Eighty percent of the products in the grocery store feature added sugar as some are hard to spot for sugar has over 60 different names.
Sugar is toxic.
When fat is removed form food is is substituted with refined sugar.
The issue of world hunger is due to poverty, inequality and distribution - not lack of food.
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Well.. now that I have your attention, I'm willing to bet you have. I won't ruin the fun by telling you how you've ingested beaver butt, but just know you very likely have.
Now onto my review of this book. Disclaimer: I've always been a little suspicious of the US governmental agencies regarding our food sources and such, but reading this book was the nail in the coffin for me.
Vani Hari, AKA The Food Babe, takes us on an absolutely riveting journey through the
Have you ever tasted beaver butt? 🦫Well.. now that I have your attention, I'm willing to bet you have. I won't ruin the fun by telling you how you've ingested beaver butt, but just know you very likely have.
Now onto my review of this book. Disclaimer: I've always been a little suspicious of the US governmental agencies regarding our food sources and such, but reading this book was the nail in the coffin for me.
Vani Hari, AKA The Food Babe, takes us on an absolutely riveting journey through the wonderful world of food: including additives, dyes, pesticides/herbicides/fungicides, governmental agency corruption (including "independent" scientists) and yes, you guessed it, beaver butts. 🦫 I didn't realize, though, just how corrupt the US food system is. Take for example, as you are probably familiar with, the Subway yoga-mat-bread scandal. I might be wrong, but the last time I checked, yoga mats aren't edible (I just checked again; -5/10, would not recommend). Why were they allowed in the bread in the first place? Why is anything added to our food allowed anyway?! I won't ruin the fun of you reading for yourself, but I would definitely recommend you read to find out.
Honestly it's all very eye-opening and startling just what is allowed into our food, the complete negligence towards accurate science and the astonishing level of corruption that exists. Y'all, even European French fries are healthier than their US counterparts. If that doesn't open your eyes, I'm not sure what will. Maybe beaver butts? Anyway, if you need me I'll be knee deep in ingredients labels.
I took off one ⭐️ because I was a bit annoyed by the fact that there was a lot of "they [food companies] attack me and this is how." I get the point Vani is trying to make here, but at a certain point it started to feel a bit whiny to me.
Was there also a bit of fear-mongering, as others would say? A little bit, yes. At a certain point I wanted to throw out everything in my pantry. But that doesn't mean the information presented isn't valid or useful. Vani is very passionate about buying only organic, which is great if you can afford it, but it's not feasible for everyone. My advice when reading this book is to read it for the information, simmer on it, do additional research if you feel you need to, then make whatever decision you feel is best for you and your family.
TL;DR - US governmental and food agencies are corrupt and allow absurd things in our foods (that aren't allowed in Europe). Buy only organic if you can. Beaver butts. 🦫
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"You wouldn't want to eat poison would you, right?"
"You wouldn't give your kids a giant block of
"You wouldn't want to eat poison would you, right?"
"You wouldn't give your kids a giant block of radium, would you?"
It's a bizarrely written and mostly gross US vs. THEM quandary of impossible decisions. Eat painfully scrutinized and expensive organic foods at all costs, and if you don't, you're basically just going to die of cancer or worse.
I would have given it one star, but if Dr. Kevin Folta, the main (but one of many) pariahs of the book can give a 2 star review that sums up the logical fallacies and misinformation better than I can, so can I.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
This book preys on people that accept all their information from one source, and would be a sad existence to rely on this book solely without other extremely credible sources to help sort out the facts. On the bright side, if it at least gets you thinking about where your food is coming from and what nutrition really means, more power to you.
PS for someone that is such a victim of "astroturfing", the reviews on Goodreads and Amazon sure are favorable.
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Overall, I put down this book due to the outraged tone. That's one of a variety of tones that an activist can make, and that may work for some people. But an entire book written like that? I have to pass.
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Anyone who wants to be healthier has to read this book! Chapters on sugar, meat, genetically modified foods (like wheat, soy, corn, zucchini, potatoes and tomatoes). Chapters reveal the lies Big Ag companies tell consumers to lull them into a false impression that their food is "natural" and "healthy." But natural can mean wood fiber (in cheese) and insecticide (in everything). Vani makes a strong case for eating only organic food, dropping all processed food,
Vital information for health-seekersAnyone who wants to be healthier has to read this book! Chapters on sugar, meat, genetically modified foods (like wheat, soy, corn, zucchini, potatoes and tomatoes). Chapters reveal the lies Big Ag companies tell consumers to lull them into a false impression that their food is "natural" and "healthy." But natural can mean wood fiber (in cheese) and insecticide (in everything). Vani makes a strong case for eating only organic food, dropping all processed food, fast food, junk food and "Frankenfood." Lose weight, feel great, and fight the big companies who don't care if you are fat, sick and nearly dead.
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there were points that i agreed with good to be informed of, but then there were also ones i completely don't understand due to terminology.
did it really convince me to change my eating habits? no.
understand the loop hole of how the food industry works? yes. but i can probably find it in a documentary on netflix.
there were points that i agreed with good to be informed of, but then there were also ones i completely don't understand due to terminology.
did it really convince me to change my eating habits? no.
understand the loop hole of how the food industry works? yes. but i can probably find it in a documentary on netflix.
My take-aways: (1) think/research for myself (1.1) using the theme 'follow the money'; and (2) eat real food (as opposed to manufactured materials).
Is reading this book the spark for me to do cooking? baking?
The review by Marie has a number of good quotes. Read that again.
Perhaps more words are used in this volume than necessary. I appreciate the endnotes.My take-aways: (1) think/research for myself (1.1) using the theme 'follow the money'; and (2) eat real food (as opposed to manufactured materials).
Is reading this book the spark for me to do cooking? baking?
The review by Marie has a number of good quotes. Read that again.
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