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Salt Sugar Fat
480 pages, 2013
In his book, Michael Moss explores how the food industry uses salt, sugar, and fat to make their products irresistible. These three ingredients are not just for taste, they're carefully calculated to hit the 'bliss point', making us crave more.
Moss digs into the science behind why we crave certain foods. He reveals that food companies invest heavily in research to understand our brains' response to salt, sugar, and fat. They use this knowledge to create products that are hard to resist.
The book also takes a look at how food companies use clever marketing strategies to sell their products. They target vulnerable groups, like children, and use persuasive advertising to make unhealthy foods seem appealing.
Moss doesn't shy away from discussing the health implications of consuming too much salt, sugar, and fat. He links these ingredients to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, urging readers to be more mindful of what they eat.
Despite the grim picture he paints, Moss ends on a hopeful note. He believes that consumers have the power to demand healthier options and that change is possible. So, if you're looking to make healthier choices, this book is a great place to start.
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Salt Sugar Fat is a breathtaking feat of reporting. Michael Moss has written a powerful exposé that weaves history, reportage, and hard-nosed independent research together in a vivid, richly detailed narrative that is sure to change the way we think about food.
Mark Bittman - Food JournalistMichael Moss has brilliantly exposed the dark side of the American food industry in Salt Sugar Fat. This is a vital and disturbing look at the processed food industry. Moss’s work should be read by anyone who cares about their health.
Eric Schlosser - Investigative JournalistSalt Sugar Fat is a remarkable accomplishment. Michael Moss manages to sound the alarm on the dangers of processed foods without resorting to sensationalism. This is a meticulously researched and compellingly readable book that thoroughly examines the health impacts of processed foods.
Marion Nestle - Nutrition ScientistIn Salt Sugar Fat, Michael Moss has given us a riveting expose of the processed food industry. This book should be required reading for anyone who eats.
Michael Pollan - Food Writer