I'm both shocked and not shocked at the information in Nestle's book. Food is a mine field and we're constantly in a vortex of what we should and shouldn't consume. In a world where everything will give you cancer, this was a great book to dispel some concerns.

This book isn’t written in the most engaging manner so it ended up sitting longer in my queue than any others. It is an excellent book with important information though and I’m so glad I went back to it. Highly recommended.

Very interesting and though provoking read. If more people read this book we might all be healthier people.

Unsavory Truth is an interesting book. Nestles research shows how humans and our health are in the hands of companies and their profit margins. This book is a good reminder to know what you are eating!

Yes! I love that this book sets out to discuss things about food and eating habits that we have all heard at least once. I appreciate a book, like this one, that seeks to be so honest and straightforward about its subject. I am so glad to have read this one since t taught me some things about food and made me think more about listening to what I am told rather than doing my own research.

Wasn't as good as I was expecting it, which make the reading of this book quite boring and difficult.

The book got off to a bad start for me when there was discussion of Russia and elections at the beginning. I overlooked that and carried on. The information was interesting but often repetitive. I am surprised that anyone is not aware that food companies' main priority is to make money. I had hoped to get more new information on the subject.

*3-3.5 stars. A very well-researched, documented and presented discussion of how the food industry influences nutritional studies. It is perhaps geared more towards scientists, college professors, dietitians and nutritionists, meaning it's a tough read for someone like me, just a reader who is interested in healthy eating and trying to decipher what the latest studies mean.

Have you ever felt confused by food studies with conflicting advice? One study might say 'Limit what you this of this!' and the next will say 'Eat all you want! You just need to exercise more!' Most of us throw up our hands and just eat what we want.

The reasons for these conflicting results could be because of just who funded the study. Follow the money. Shocking, right?

"Unsavory Truth is about the conflicts of interest induced by food industry interactions with nutrition professionals and the systemic effects of this conflicts on public policy and public health."

"The real question here is how you--as a reader, eater, and citizen--can recognize and protect yourself against the onslaught of misleading information and advice that results from food-industry manipulation of nutrition research and practice."

"As citizens, we have the right to demand that government agencies dealing with food and nutrition matters put public health first."

And that last quote is the reason I think this book is an important read--to educate oneself about who influences research and studies and then analyze what we are being told. While reading this book, I heard a news report that the dairy association is concerned that children are drinking less milk in schools and they recommend that chocolate milk be provided again. Is this good for the children or good for the milk suppliers?

I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. I am grateful for the opportunity.

Let me tell you that this book is full of information on how food companies sponsor researches that may ultimately result to bias conclusions. I for one don’t agree with food companies sponsoring these studies. Somehow it gives an impression that these companies will influence the validity of the findings. This may be detrimental to public health anywhere.

However, sometimes I question my assumptions about these sponsorship. I asked myself what if these companies only sponsor this studies because what they claim maybe true and they want to find out if they are right.

I also wonder maybe no one can provide the resources needed for innovation and these food companies are only saving the academic community great resources. Maybe no one is interested to provide funds and somehow these companies are stepping up to let innovation take its due course.

This is a fascinating read for people who are interested in where their food comes from. If you are in the food industry, you have to check it out!

I learned a lot about food nutrition from this book. The author has an easy to understand way of writing.

It can be difficult to differentiate between scientific research and marketing research when it comes to information on the food that we eat. Nutritionist Nestle, of no relation to the food company of the same name, goes into great detail about how corporate interests influence nutrition science, especially as reported to consumers. I would recommend nutritionists, journalists, and those with an interest in research science to read the whole book in detail. The average consumer would probably get too bogged down in the detail of this book but can take away the following main points:
• Always look for who funded any research about food. If not mentioned, ask.
• Pay attention to wording. “Might” means just as likely to be “might not”.
• If it sounds good to be true, it probably is (especially if it highlights one specific food; there are no superfoods)
• Best nutritional advice: eat a wide variety of relatively unprocessed foods in reasonable amounts
After reading this book, I will be more skeptical about the food and other types of research I hear about. For instance, I never considered that corporate interests would fund other causes of a problem that do not involve their product. For instance, big sugar gives money to research on plaque and tooth care to move focus from the effects of sugar on teeth while soda companies fund research on how physical activity is more important for avoiding obesity than food choices. Without a big pool of funds for unbiased research, we don’t have an avenue for pure scientific research. Take all scientific news with a a grain of salt.

Thanks to NetGalley, Perseus Books, and the author Marion Nestle for an advanced electronic review copy.

This book describes so precisely the world and the society we live in. Tons of information about industries, industries founded researches, orientated gifts. After reading this book, one looks at the world in a completly different way, uncertain about what to believe and who to trust.

Yet this is an hard science book, loaded with facts and exemples, and it feels more like a lesson than a leisure book - this is not what I expected this book to be, but I thought it would be easier to read. I firmly recommend reading it if you work in the economy, pharmaceutics or medicine, or if you do study these fields.

Nevertheless this book was enlightening and I thank Netgalley and Basic Books for giving me the opportunity to read it. Marion Nestle is an incredible nutritionist, so well informed and working hard to pass on her values and to reveal the (unsavory) truth to the world, with solid facts and accurate research.

Its an interesting book if you are new to learning about food and the food industry.
Its a great book to pick up if you are just starting out and know next to nothing about what is actually in processed foods or what really is healthy eating.

If however you are already fairly knowledgeable about food and what is good and what isn't, this sadly will not offer you a lot of new or good information you don't already know.

So in other words, its a good beginners book with great infos for that.
But if you already know a good amount, skip this one!

I requested Unsavory Truth by Marion Nestle from Netgalley because I was interested in learning more about just how the unsuspecting and trusting public is being manipulated by companies. I've known for years how news articles about health have been manipulated, ever since an article I read years ago about how doctors who ate nuts were healthier than those who didn't. The last paragraph in the article mentioned that the study was sponsored by The Nut Growers Association. Hmmm.

I had to read this book in fits and starts because it was rage inducing! The book was fascinating, unsurprising (because I'm a cynical grump) and infuriating! As I got into the book, the author discusses how the strawberry industry was actively seeking studies linking their product to good health and realized I had just seen a headline about how strawberries are good for digestive health. Ugh.

This book tackles the myths with the hard truth behind all the hyperbole and psuedo-science thrown at us every day in the news. From scientists' bias, whether conscious or sub-conscious to active marketing of these biased findings to the public. So maddening! At this point, they could try to sell me a study about how the sky is blue and I still wouldn't believe it.

This was an excellent read, and one I've already recommended to several people and will continue to do so. It's an important tool against this bad "science" they're peddling and will only be of benefit in the long run.

Unsavory Truth delves into nutritional science, the food industry, and to a point, food consumerism. I found parts of this book fascinating, but much of it seemed more geared to those in the industry rather than laymen and the average man. It relies heavily on research (which is always appreciated), but at times it felt a little overwhelming.

With everyone urging us to do all that we can to get healthier and with so many books available to those want to figure out how to do that, which books, magazine articles, blog posts, Tweets, Facebook posts, newspaper articles do you believe? They all say something different.

In “Unsavory Truth,” Marion Nestle unveils why there are so many people espousing that their way is the only way to lose weight, increase the health of your heart, reduce your A1C, cheat death, etc. It seems that the doctors and scientists making most, if not all, these claims are being funded by the very companies who stand to make the most money from these studies, i.e., Hershey’s, Coca-Cola, etc.

Nestle (no connection with the company of the same name) says it’s time to put the public’s health before corporate profits. Easier said than done, of course.

If you are interested in stopping the food industry from continuing to manipulate nutrition science, this is the book for you. It is written for the non-scientist so we can all understand what’s going on in the world of nutrition.






Thanks to Basic Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The "Unsavory Truth" shares how much the financial influence of a company can have on information and studies that are put out about certain foods and food products. For example, often times a food company that is wanting to advertise that their product as healthier and more nutritional than others will fund the research and researchers behind the study. Many food companies are advertising and pushing that they have "miracle" or "super food" when, in reality, it is not all that super. While the studies do look truthful on the surface, further digging could support otherwise.

Marion Nestle breaks down, in slightly simpler terms, the influence of companies on the studies of their product. However, there were a few parts in this book that sort of had my eyes glazing over. I think it may have been the mass amounts of information all at once. Which, admittedly, was very informational! Some bits of information seemed to be reiterated again and again which was unnecessary in my personal opinion.

In the end, if you are truly interested in hearing a breakdown of how companies can persuade the research and studies done on their food products I would highly recommend "Unsavory Truth". I felt that there was a good amount of information that was important and could really influence how and why you buy the foods that you do. Not to mention, it encourages you to do more of your own research.

The latest book from Marion Nestle is a fascinating look at the world of nutrition science, how the food industry is involved, and the complicated ethical considerations. Most readers won't be surprised to learn that food companies play a huge role in nutrition science, but they'll likely be shocked at how widespread and entrenched these companies area in all facets of research, funding, policy making, and more. The reason is on both sides is obvious--financial incentive. Funding for research isn't easy to come by, and companies need research and experts to lend credence to the efficacy of their products.

Ms. Nestle provides evidence to show studies tend to yield conclusions that favor the sponsor's interests, and she makes an interesting distinction that consumers should be aware of--the studies that prove a foregone conclusion are marketing research, not nutrition science. Full disclosure of conflicts of interest is a good place to start, but is it enough?

Conflicts of interest can be impact everything from nutrition organizations to medical journals to well-respected nutrition experts. If you've ever tried to research the pros/cons of certain nutrients, supplements, or diets, you likely found studies with opposing conclusions. How do consumers know who to trust? Ms. Nestle has a few ideas everyone can employ, starting with voting with your fork, questioning studies that seem too good to be true, contacting your congressional representatives about corporate influence on nutrition science, and more.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in nutrition, food policy, and the integrity of science as it relates to food.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was very shocked reading some of these passages. I found nutrition science to be quite interesting, even if a little on the bland side. The information was comprehensive and thoughtfully explained.