This week I was so excited to get my copy of Think and Eat Yourself Smart by Dr. Caroline Leaf. A neuroscientist who happens to be a Christian, Dr. Leaf has written several books that explain the power our minds have over our brains and how we really can take every thought captive like scripture describes. In her new book, Dr. Leaf explains the power our thoughts have over what we ultimately end up eating. As she says in her prologue: this book isn’t about this diet or that diet, or whether to go gluten-free, “this book will not give you the solution, but rather teach you how to be your own solution, with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
My Review of Think and Eat Yourself Smart
The book is divided into three sections that build your understanding of our food system and healthy eating.
Part one: “Admit It!”
does an excellent job of surveying the issues within the Modern American Diet (MAD), the industrial food system, and ways in which food research is done. Whether you are an expert on current food issues, or a total newbie wanting to gain a clear understanding, Dr. Leaf presents the issues in a clear and concise manner that encourages you to think for yourself and do your own research, while at the same time giving you the benefit of her own research efforts. The back of the book has seventy-three pages of references to scientific studies she referenced in writing her book. To say this book is well researched is almost an understatement.
Part two: “Quit It!”
goes in depth in looking at specific dietary issues including sugar, gluten, and meat as well as the neurobiology and psychology behind our eating habits. While these issues could certainly have books written about each chapter, Dr. Leaf succinctly summarizes the breath of information on each issue while empowering you to research further yourself. If you do not want to have to do a ton of research on your own but simply want to understand the whys behind eating grass-fed beef or avoiding high-fructose corn syrup, Dr. Leaf provides you with enough information to be informed beyond “it’s bad for you” without having to get a graduate degree in nutrition.
Part three: “Beat It!”
gives you some practical tips for leaving the Modern American Diet behind and beginning your journey on eating real, whole foods. These tips are great because they do not endorse one diet over another, but encourage healthy eating habits regardless of specific allergy or dietary needs. This section closes with twenty-one recipes from Dr. Leaf’s family that will help you on your journey to thinking and eating smart.
Review Summary
Over all I thoroughly enjoyed Think and Eat Yourself Smart and will be recommending it to all my friends, family, and clients. The breadth and depth of information covered in it without being overwhelming is just right for having a healthy understanding of our food systems and how to eat smart. I also really appreciated how brilliantly concise and comprehensive Dr. Leaf’s writing is. It is hard when you do a lot of research on your own to be able to succinctly communicate what you have learned to someone else. Think and Eat Yourself Smart does such a good job of saying everything I’ve ever wanted to be able to say to friends and family that see nothing wrong with the Modern American Diet and shut me down when I’m not able to back up everything I say with multiple scientific studies. Now instead of getting frustrated with such conversations, I’ll just have them read this book.
You Need to Read This Book
So if you are thinking, “I already eat healthy,” you need to read this book.
If you are thinking, “All that healthy eating stuff is a bunch of hype,” you need to read this book.
If you are thinking, “I’m a dietitian I know everything about nutrition,” you need to read this book.
If you are thinking, “Yikes, I don’t want to know what I don’t know and have to make changes,” you need to read this book.
If you are a human that eats food, you need to read this book.
You can pick up your copy of Think and Eat Yourself Smart on Amazon, at your local Barnes and Noble, or anywhere else books are sold.
*Disclaimer: I did not receive a copy of this book for free for review, nor was I asked or paid to write this review. I wrote this review of my own volition because I believe strongly in what this author has to say and want to help spread the word about her new book.