
Member Reviews

Figuring out what to eat is a nightmare at times. Nutritionist Marion Nestle’s What to Eat Now is a guide for shopping for food choices so we can eat well and thoughtfully. I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this extremely helpful book, one that I will refer to often on my health journey. Thank you Marion Nestle for this treasure of a book!

Thank you NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Starts with an overview on how supermarket chains make a profit, which was expected yet still surprising.
Then we move on to how to eat and what to eat (ultra processed vs real food). Learning to read food labels, navigating the accuracies or inaccuracies, seals, certifications and their meanings (fair trade, rainforest alliance…) and the annoying but purposeful vagueness of it all.
One knows that everything and everyone is driven by profit but to see it so blatantly in the food industry is shocking and honestly, sad.
Bottled water, tap water, water inequality. This book covers everything about consumption in great details. While this can get to be intense because of the amount of information, it’s very interesting and eye opening, despite being mostly American-based. Moving on, meat, veggies, eggs, dairy, vegan substitutes, fish and the whole mercury dilemma, ethics, labels, benefits versus risks, marketing. The pet food part I found interesting as well. Breads, prepared salads, this book really delves deep into everything you find in the supermarket and more. In a way this is overwhelming which is why I read this over a long period of time, and there is no way all of the information will ever stick, but some did and that’s more than enough for me.
I never read the first book, What to Eat, but am curious to read it now just to see how much has changed.

As a qualified nutritional adviser I found this most interesting and helpful. Would recommend. Many thanks for my copy.

Although I might not agree with everything written in this book, it was thorough, easy to read and provided great advice. It's an update of her original and would be a good resource for anyone looking for a nutrition refresher. It contains a lot of information and seems to have been updated since changes made since Covid hit. She also discusses the politics behind our food. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good nutrition and diet book.

I took my time while reading this book. There is a lot of "noise' out there about the latest and greatest nutrition theories, Marion Nestle clarifies and cautions us about the motivations and machinations of the food industry. From the farm to the Feds and their vested interest in making us fat and happy under the guise of eating healthy, Marion Nestle spells it out in a purely digestible manner (pun intended). There is no need to document or tally macros or 'points"! If your desire to eat and live better is not motivation enough, the consumer chumpery that the food industry promotes should call you to action. No spoiler alert here, it's been said before; "Eat real food, mostly plants, not too much" -Michael Pollan. If you are a glutton for more science (sorry, pun intended again) this book provides plenty.

What to Eat Now by Marion Nestle is an insightful guide that tackles the ever-evolving landscape of food choices in America. As someone who tries to make informed decisions about what I consume, I found Nestle's updated perspective on food shopping, especially considering the last two decades of changes in the food industry, to be particularly valuable. Her deep dive into "techno foods" and the rise of food delivery services offers a timely overview, prompting a good look at how our eating habits are influenced by modern conveniences. The aisle-by-aisle tour of the supermarket, infused with discussions on nutrition, food safety, and ethical considerations, provided a comprehensive framework that was genuinely thought-provoking.
While the book offers a wealth of well-researched information, my experience with it was somewhat mixed. On one hand, I appreciated the sheer breadth of topics covered and the detailed analysis of the American food system. On the other, I felt some of the advice could be a bit ambivalent at times, and the length of the book, while comprehensive, occasionally made it feel a bit dense. Additionally, I wished for a deeper exploration into how socioeconomic factors and wealth distribution significantly impact food access and choices for many. Despite these points, it's undeniably a thoroughly researched book that provides valuable insights for anyone trying to navigate the complexities of modern eating.

Absolutely Must Read for Your Own Health (and Your Family)
I was familiar with the Marion's previous works (and the 2006 1st edition of this same tittle that was superb!, and
I must say that I am gladly surprised and "newly informed" too
This is a huge work about Nutrition, politics about food, customs, habits and practically is YOUR TRUE REFERENCE for Food Today!
Marion instructs us about calories, water, meat, cereals, and on and on, and even baby food, pet food and Supplements!
She even will help you to open big your eyes about nutrition and the "bombing" of marketing (mostly to be warned about it on food), and give you real information and solutions to be healthy as you get the best food and nutrition for you and your loved ones.
The only "but" that I could say, it's that I would love to read about not only regarding USA companies, but worldwide companies, in this world that we have contact and access to diverse products and foods coming from several countries (I don't live on the USA so, this would be mostly important to me, smiles)
READ IT NOW, AND CHOOSE TO TAKE MARION'S WISE WORDS ON ACTION!

Walking into a grocery store can be overwhelming. The shear number of choices, the conflicting information about what foods are good for you, and the increasing grocery prices all contribute to my rising stress levels. My family and my health is a top priority for me, and navigating food choices has become a chore.
I am grateful to have Marion Nestle's wealth of knowledge available to me in her new book, What To Eat Now. She is an expert in the politics of food. In this book, she leads the reader aisle by aisle through the grocery store and gifts the reader with the knowledge to make informed choices. I feel more informed and educated. I also feel that my eyes have been opened to the business of food. With the knowledge from this book, I feel more confident and aware of the choices I am making and how those choices may be impacting my health.
Thank you to Marion Nestle and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Fantastic read with so much information about eating and how to shop. If you want to be more sustainable and know the best things to eat at the grocery store, this is the best reference.

In What To Eat Now, Marion Nestle gives an 'aisle by aisle' guide of the food in supermarkets. She goes into detail about nutrition and health, as well as food politics and marketing, on foods and drinks ranging from organic vegetables to meat, bottled water and soft drinks.
This feels like a very comprehensive text. There is so much information that it is probably best used to pick up and read the chapters that interest you at a given time, although reading from beginning to end is fascinating and offers a lot of insight into the food industry.
The book does focus on American food systems, although I'm sure a lot of the information can be applied to other countries as well. Reading as someone not from America, it is interesting to see the differences and similarities between supermarkets there vs. where I live.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was a great book on learning how to make better choices and eat healthier. It was very well researched and offers many great ideas.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.
This is a great book for people interested in learning more about healthy eating, albeit a bit too long as a starter pack.
It's well researched and offers valuable insights on how supermarket aisles are organised but I don't believe it takes into account the disproportionate distribution of wealth and how it affects what we can afford to eat.
Still, it was an interesting read, and I learned a couple of new facts.

Get ready to open your eyes to what they do not want you to know.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC.
Now I know what I should know about the world of grocery stores and the food markets.

Finally a book to just help me understand how to make better choices. Not the old “do this or else,” just common sense information to guide me to a healthier lifestyle.

Eye-opening. Must read this book.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

If you’ve ever stood in a grocery store aisle feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices, or wondering what those labels ACTUALLY mean, then What to Eat Now is the guide you didn’t know you needed. Marion Nestle takes us on a chill but eye opening tour through the wild world of modern food shopping.
This isn’t some orthorexic “eat kale or be unhealthy” manifesto. It’s more like chatting with a super smart friend who’s done all the homework for you and just wants to help you eat well without the stress. Everything is broken down, from sneaky food labeling tricks to how big food companies influence what we put in our carts, without ever making it feel too heavy or overwhelming.
What I appreciated most is how she doesn’t shame you for not being perfect. It’s more about being aware, making better choices when you can, and enjoying your food in the process. She’s all about real food, eating mindfully, and not getting sucked into the hype. And with all the changes in the food world since her original book came out, like tech foods, delivery apps, and organic everything, this update feels super timely.
The book is also pretty eye opening when it comes to how much corporate interests influence what ends up on our plates. From supermarket placement tricks to the world of food lobbying, we see a behind the scenes look at the forces shaping what we eat. It’s like getting the inside scoop on how the food industry works, and how to outsmart it and be healthier for a better life.
But the best part? Despite all the heavy topics, What to Eat Now doesn’t feel preachy. It’s practical, witty, and definitely feels like a conversation with a friend who just wants to help you make smarter, more delicious food choices. If you’re someone who’s interested in food, health, or even just want to make more mindful choices at the store, this is the book for you.
Bottom line: if you're tired of being confused about what’s actually healthy or ethical to eat, What to Eat Now will clear the fog. It’s smart, readable, and might just make your next grocery trip way less stressful (and maybe even a little fun).