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The Happiness Diet: A Nutritional Prescription for a Sharp Brain, Balanced Mood, and Lean, EnergizedBody
For the first time in history, too much food is making us sick. It’s all too apparent that the Modern American Diet (MAD) is expanding our waistlines; what’s less obvious is that it’s starving and shrinking our brains. Rates of obesity and depression have recently doubled, and while these epidemics are closely linked, few experts are connecting the dots for the average American.
Using the latest data from the rapidly changing fields of neuroscience and nutrition, The Happiness Diet shows that over the past several generations small, seemingly insignificant changes to our diet have stripped it of nutrients—like magnesium, vitamin B12, iron, and vitamin D, as well as some very special fats—that are essential for happy, well-balanced brains. These shifts also explain the overabundance of mood-destroying foods in the average American’s diet and why they predispose most of us to excessive weight gain.
After a clear explanation of how we’ve all been led so far astray, The Happiness Diet empowers the reader with simple, straightforward solutions. Graham and Ramsey show you how to steer clear of this MAD way of life with foods to swear off, shopping tips, brain-building recipes, and other practical advice, and then remake your diet by doubling down on feel-good foods—even the all-American burger.
Using the latest data from the rapidly changing fields of neuroscience and nutrition, The Happiness Diet shows that over the past several generations small, seemingly insignificant changes to our diet have stripped it of nutrients—like magnesium, vitamin B12, iron, and vitamin D, as well as some very special fats—that are essential for happy, well-balanced brains. These shifts also explain the overabundance of mood-destroying foods in the average American’s diet and why they predispose most of us to excessive weight gain.
After a clear explanation of how we’ve all been led so far astray, The Happiness Diet empowers the reader with simple, straightforward solutions. Graham and Ramsey show you how to steer clear of this MAD way of life with foods to swear off, shopping tips, brain-building recipes, and other practical advice, and then remake your diet by doubling down on feel-good foods—even the all-American burger.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2011
165 people are currently reading
1039 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
February 8, 2012
I'm still not going to eat meat.
December 19, 2012
I grabbed this off the library shelf to force myself to read a nonfiction book (I read way too much fiction!) and I actually read it straight through because it was so well-written and full of astonishing and alarming facts. I had no idea how dangerous pesticides and processed foods are for the brain. This book is specifically about eating to create a healthy brain (which leads to happiness -- hence the title). I will definitely be buying organic from now on. I've read Michael Pollan and other authors who write about food politics, economics and health issues, and THE HAPPINESS DIET is now up there on my list of books to recommend on these topics. As a vegetarian, I had to make adjustments to the authors' advice, but overall this book was full of valuable information. How sad is that humans have managed to screw up our own food? Seriously -- what other animal fouls its own nest, pollutes its own food and water and makes it harder to become nourished? There is something wrong with us....
November 11, 2012
Very easy to read to get basic info on what is really in our food and what it can do to our health. I have fibro and chronic sleep problems so I am always looking for some answers to feel better. I was raised organic so much of what is in this book is no surprise but did explain what a lot of the additives in our food are and how we are mainipulated into thinking that these foods are good for us-like chicken is labeled as having no additives but they are allowed to put anything in thier feed.
I live in the rural south and my husband says the three major food groups are sugar, salt and suet.
There is no chance of getting grass fed beef or free ranged chicken so eating as this book recommends is just about impossible.
The good news is since I have been following this diet I don't get hungry very often, I have stopped thinking about food every waking second and, best of all, I have stopped binging on bad carbs.
This is also like a hunter-gatherer diet, and paleo diet.
I got this book on eBay for under 4.00 including shipping.
I live in the rural south and my husband says the three major food groups are sugar, salt and suet.
There is no chance of getting grass fed beef or free ranged chicken so eating as this book recommends is just about impossible.
The good news is since I have been following this diet I don't get hungry very often, I have stopped thinking about food every waking second and, best of all, I have stopped binging on bad carbs.
This is also like a hunter-gatherer diet, and paleo diet.
I got this book on eBay for under 4.00 including shipping.
September 13, 2017
This book is a serious downer. My rating is a bit low, because I don't think the tone of the book is helpful to those picking it up because of the title.
The set up is not unique: intro and scientific explanation for why this food plan is vital, followed by recipes. One interesting bit of formatting is the way the 100 facts for why one should avoid processed foods are sprinkled in boxes through the text. Basically, we are being poisoned. That is what I got from this book. The first half of the book is information dense, but overloads explanations and makes it not helpful as a checklist.
I would have preferred a book that clearly, easily highlighted the positive steps I could take followed by what to avoid so that I could feel up for some positive changes instead of fearful and overwhelmed.
The set up is not unique: intro and scientific explanation for why this food plan is vital, followed by recipes. One interesting bit of formatting is the way the 100 facts for why one should avoid processed foods are sprinkled in boxes through the text. Basically, we are being poisoned. That is what I got from this book. The first half of the book is information dense, but overloads explanations and makes it not helpful as a checklist.
I would have preferred a book that clearly, easily highlighted the positive steps I could take followed by what to avoid so that I could feel up for some positive changes instead of fearful and overwhelmed.
April 21, 2019
This book is useful because it covers the dangers of pesticides and how processed food affects your health, however, the author or "nutrition expert" still includes a diet with milk and eggs. He breaks down the dangers of processed foods yet skips the dangers of dairy. Not one mention of how dairy screws up your body. The author does recommend eating a wide range of vegetables and fruits, which is great, but doesn't cover the science behind how eating bananas can also activate happiness in the body. Not one banana is mentioned in his "diet".
June 17, 2022
This book is science based and gives useful data for developing a happiness diet. If you're inclined to continue doing research on your own about these elements of happiness in diet, you'll get the most out of this book.
September 5, 2017
A book which links what we eat to our health - this book is more about metal health so an emphasis on foods which are good for the brain and which prevent depression. However, the book is also an interesting introduction to the food processing industry and a fairly convincing argument for eating wholesome foods; fruits and vegetables. Interesting summaries of why the various fruit and veg are beneficial to the health and a few recipes at the end for good measure.
Some of the background info on processed food and how it came about links to the books message and I was particularly engrossed in the tale of how cotton seed, a by product of cotton farming, was once a fertiliser then cattle feed, only to end up on the kitchen table as a fat called 'crisco'. The birth of margarines were born, thank you Procter & Gamble.
Two tips:
Eat organic celery or be faced with up to 67 different pesticides; and
Asparagus do not require pesticides so it doesn't matter so much about buying organic.
Some of the background info on processed food and how it came about links to the books message and I was particularly engrossed in the tale of how cotton seed, a by product of cotton farming, was once a fertiliser then cattle feed, only to end up on the kitchen table as a fat called 'crisco'. The birth of margarines were born, thank you Procter & Gamble.
Two tips:
Eat organic celery or be faced with up to 67 different pesticides; and
Asparagus do not require pesticides so it doesn't matter so much about buying organic.
March 19, 2021
A lot of things I already knew, but still some new information that I found fascinating. Unfortunately in our modern society it's nearly impossible to completely avoid processed foods, pesticides, etc, unless you're pretty well-off, you somehow have year-round access to multiple farms, or you've decided to shun society to live in the woods growing and catching your own food. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's how it seems to me after reading this. Nonetheless, there is still a lot of advice in this that people can start to implement. It did take me about a year to actually read the whole thing because I kept getting bored, but I was determined to finish it. Overall, not a bad book and a good place to start if you don't know much about nutrition.
August 14, 2012
While some of this stuff I already knew, I really enjoyed this book. It really motivated me and their plan resonated with me. They are of the Micahel Pollan variety thinkers- just eat REAL FOOD in moderation and you will be fine. Real food as in meat, fats, dairy, plenty of fruit and veg. It's all the processed/refined crap (sugar!!) that is making us so fat and unwell. Plus there are some interesting factoids I entertained my co-workers with this weekend. (Most milk from non organic factory farmed cows has pus in it- PUS!!!)
July 4, 2012
Not a whole lotta new info for those familiar with this topic at all, but good recipe ideas and great emphasis on the role of Omega 3 and Vitamin D in one's mental health capacity. Check it out from the library, but perhaps not worth a purchase.
June 4, 2019
Good complement to wellbeing collection
Highly recommended for those looking for a holistic perspective on personal self-care.
The book offers a strong argument for food as strategy for health.
It does lean a little too heavily on vilifying common foods rather than just focusing on the “good foods”. This can distract from the message in my opinion.
Ultimately - I was hoping for a read that was targeting strengths and assets of certain foods. This book does that, but only by pointing to the “pathology” of certain foods. It’s a shame that they felt the need to apply this strategy (build up one by tearing down the other). I’d be interested in reading a book that was exclusively a positive celebration of good foods only with no deadweight comparisons to harmful stuff (which is well discussed in other books).
Having said all of that - the book is definitely an asset. Coupled with Michael Pollan’s books and some basic appreciation of our habits, there’s a great deal of useful stuff here. They provide great recipes and a good structure to supplement the positive wisdom.
I’d enjoy more by the authors if they were to do a follow up (especially, if they did one that incorporates chapters on mindful eating and socially engaged eating; two commonly overlooked aspects of a healthful approach to sustenance).
Highly recommended for those looking for a holistic perspective on personal self-care.
The book offers a strong argument for food as strategy for health.
It does lean a little too heavily on vilifying common foods rather than just focusing on the “good foods”. This can distract from the message in my opinion.
Ultimately - I was hoping for a read that was targeting strengths and assets of certain foods. This book does that, but only by pointing to the “pathology” of certain foods. It’s a shame that they felt the need to apply this strategy (build up one by tearing down the other). I’d be interested in reading a book that was exclusively a positive celebration of good foods only with no deadweight comparisons to harmful stuff (which is well discussed in other books).
Having said all of that - the book is definitely an asset. Coupled with Michael Pollan’s books and some basic appreciation of our habits, there’s a great deal of useful stuff here. They provide great recipes and a good structure to supplement the positive wisdom.
I’d enjoy more by the authors if they were to do a follow up (especially, if they did one that incorporates chapters on mindful eating and socially engaged eating; two commonly overlooked aspects of a healthful approach to sustenance).
February 7, 2019
I didn’t get much out of this book. Most of the information I already knew. It is also hard to follow the instructions. Mostly, it says to eat organic food. The author recommends we get our nutrients from food instead of from vitamins and supplements. It is hard to get all the right nutrition in your body without supplements. I take them and will continue to do so. If I lived on a farm and grew all my vegetables, then I may not need them. Also fish is very important to eat for the omega 3s. I can’t eat as much fish as he recommends, so I started taking a supplement, which he says not to. Anchovies are really good for you. My mom always ate them; she did something right for her brain. I always thought anchovies were too salty. I might try it again since I know how good they are for you. The recipes in the last section of the book did not impress me. I will try one or two of them.
I have another book by Drew Ramsey, Eat Complete, that I will read next. Hopefully it will have more information in it because I want a healthy brain.
I have another book by Drew Ramsey, Eat Complete, that I will read next. Hopefully it will have more information in it because I want a healthy brain.
December 14, 2023
The Happiness Diet by Drew Ramsey and Tyler Graham explores the Modern American Diet – or MAD – and how it impacts mental well-being. Using Nutritional Psychology – an emerging field of science detailing the impacts of food on the brain – the authors explain the negatives of MAD and prescribe a whole foods approach to eating and reclaiming brain health and longevity through food.
I really enjoyed this one. Nutrition is a messy field and still very wild west, but the 2 authors wrote with clarity and focus. They honed in on how foods impact the brain and what we can eat to ensure optimal brain health. The short summary: 1) avoid process foods, especially those containing added sugars and vegetable oils 2) eat whole foods - "fish, greens, nuts, and beans.... and a little bit of dark chocolate" & 3) likely the most important, focus on nutrient density, not calories. Food is life; celebrate and treat it well.
I really enjoyed this one. Nutrition is a messy field and still very wild west, but the 2 authors wrote with clarity and focus. They honed in on how foods impact the brain and what we can eat to ensure optimal brain health. The short summary: 1) avoid process foods, especially those containing added sugars and vegetable oils 2) eat whole foods - "fish, greens, nuts, and beans.... and a little bit of dark chocolate" & 3) likely the most important, focus on nutrient density, not calories. Food is life; celebrate and treat it well.
December 18, 2021
Perfect timing.. if you are interested to understand how to better manage your mental health and your mood then I highly recommend this book.
When all my vitals were good and the only suggestion I got from my doctor was to take vitamin D and vitamin B12 supplements that didn't feel right.
Now having read this book I'm convinced that I should not get the supplements but rather look at whole natural foods to help me boost my health.
It's good that there are some recipes for simple healthy diets with mood boosting and energy boosting ingredients to help those of us who struggle on taking the first step towards the healthy and nutritious lifestyle.
When all my vitals were good and the only suggestion I got from my doctor was to take vitamin D and vitamin B12 supplements that didn't feel right.
Now having read this book I'm convinced that I should not get the supplements but rather look at whole natural foods to help me boost my health.
It's good that there are some recipes for simple healthy diets with mood boosting and energy boosting ingredients to help those of us who struggle on taking the first step towards the healthy and nutritious lifestyle.
March 23, 2025
To preface, the cover of my book is a chocolate-dipped strawberry so it’s much more fun.
As the book mentions, the literature regarding nutrition and what the “right” foods are is constantly changing so I did take some of the information with a grain of salt as they say. But, I found it very informative overall. It has good information regarding what foods help mood and brain function, and fun recipes as well. I love anything health related so when my friend’s mom recommended I read this I ordered it right away.
My main takeaways: always eat salmon (wild of course) and eggs (pasture-raised obviously) and you’ve got at least most of your bases covered.
As the book mentions, the literature regarding nutrition and what the “right” foods are is constantly changing so I did take some of the information with a grain of salt as they say. But, I found it very informative overall. It has good information regarding what foods help mood and brain function, and fun recipes as well. I love anything health related so when my friend’s mom recommended I read this I ordered it right away.
My main takeaways: always eat salmon (wild of course) and eggs (pasture-raised obviously) and you’ve got at least most of your bases covered.
January 20, 2025
The word “diet” in the title is misleading since the book is not about weight-loss (what we have come to associate with anything related to diet) but rather explains why certain nutrients are essential to our bodies and brains, and how to obtain them from natural sources (not supplements.). I found it to be well researched and written in an approachable manner that delves into everything from what the micronutrients accomplish to how to select a ripe watermelon at the grocery store. Essentially takes you by the hand and walks you through the entire process (even recipes and meal plans.)
May 18, 2023
A decent read but it left me questioning the practicalities e.g. in a cost of living crisis, how is the typical consumer meant to afford grass fed beef or organic fruit and veg? Also whitewashes periods of history e.g. the slave trade, Columbus, ignores the antisemitism associated with pellagra/vampirism.
March 6, 2018
Good collection of many scientific papers about nutrition, written in a coherent flow. Great comparison with "normal" use of food. Easy of use looks split on two levels: many single points of failure/advantage to know food by food, plus a full 2-week diet (veeery difficult to follow)!
July 15, 2019
Honestly, just read the "100 factoids" and "100 reasons not to take supplements". It was the only part of the book I liked. The rest is alot of the authors opinions & personal experience with food. Bottom line message: do not eat processed food!
July 4, 2017
Loved the research and insight and recipes and meal plans at the end. Hoping to implement some of these great ideas soon. For now, I'm loving eggs and legumes and need to increase the fish🤣
June 20, 2018
Interesting perspective.
August 9, 2020
Not very insightful or helpful.
February 4, 2021
I was very surprised at how much interesting history nuggets were woven into this, making it not just educational but fun to read.
May 20, 2021
About a third of the book was informative and helpful; the rest was overly technical and felt like space filling.
August 31, 2021
Somewhat common sense but provides interesting input about helpful food pairings for mood.
October 1, 2025
The underlying theme is the same as most- Eat a well rounded whole food diet and avoid processed foods. A great book if you enjoy lists and too many little tidbits to remember.
January 7, 2020
It's interesting how certain foods affect our mood - this is a quick read with half the book being recipes to try.
November 14, 2015
If you want to be completely grossed out by everything you eat, feel like everything you are eating is giving you cancer and is full of bug parts, this is the book for you.
There are a lot of interesting and gross facts about food in here, although, some of them are a stretch. For example, just because something is linked to cancer and a food has that in it does not mean that food will cause cancer, but that's what the authors imply. They clearly set out to scare you out of eating processed food, and I'm sure some of it is just as nasty as they say.
In the first half of the book it basically makes you feel like anything you don't pull straight off the farm is going to kill you, so pretty much everything we eat. How impossible does that sound to eat healthy? However, as they get in the practical side of it, it sounds much more doable.
The main take away:
1. Stay away from processed food as much as possible
2. Don't be scared of some of the foods we are always told are bad-butter, whole milk, cheese
3. Do be scared of all the things that are marketed to sound good-all natural, full of antioxidants, low fat etc. It's almost all just marketing junk to make it look healthy
4. Don't feel like you have to totally change your lifestyle and move to a farm to eat a healthier-even small changes can be meaningful
5. The fresher and truly all natural--fresh from the source meats, dairy, veggies and fruit, whole wheat, the better.
I like that this goes against a lot of the dieting trends in that it is basically working to take our diet back to the 1800's and away from all the man-made concoctions, which is really how I've always felt is healthiest. I think it gave me some good ideas and will encourage me to be more committed to trying to purchase produce locally and participate in things like bountiful baskets more regularly.
There are a lot of interesting and gross facts about food in here, although, some of them are a stretch. For example, just because something is linked to cancer and a food has that in it does not mean that food will cause cancer, but that's what the authors imply. They clearly set out to scare you out of eating processed food, and I'm sure some of it is just as nasty as they say.
In the first half of the book it basically makes you feel like anything you don't pull straight off the farm is going to kill you, so pretty much everything we eat. How impossible does that sound to eat healthy? However, as they get in the practical side of it, it sounds much more doable.
The main take away:
1. Stay away from processed food as much as possible
2. Don't be scared of some of the foods we are always told are bad-butter, whole milk, cheese
3. Do be scared of all the things that are marketed to sound good-all natural, full of antioxidants, low fat etc. It's almost all just marketing junk to make it look healthy
4. Don't feel like you have to totally change your lifestyle and move to a farm to eat a healthier-even small changes can be meaningful
5. The fresher and truly all natural--fresh from the source meats, dairy, veggies and fruit, whole wheat, the better.
I like that this goes against a lot of the dieting trends in that it is basically working to take our diet back to the 1800's and away from all the man-made concoctions, which is really how I've always felt is healthiest. I think it gave me some good ideas and will encourage me to be more committed to trying to purchase produce locally and participate in things like bountiful baskets more regularly.
November 11, 2015
If you want to be completely grossed out by everything you eat, feel like everything you are eating is giving you cancer and is full of bug parts, this is the book for you.
There are a lot of interesting and gross facts about food in here, although, some of them are a stretch. For example, just because something is linked to cancer and a food has that in it does not mean that food will cause cancer, but that's what the authors imply. They clearly set out to scare you out of eating processed food, and I'm sure some of it is just as nasty as they say.
In the first half of the book it basically makes you feel like anything you don't pull straight off the farm is going to kill you, so pretty much everything we eat. How impossible does that sound to eat healthy? However, as they get in the practical side of it, it sounds much more doable.
The main take away:
1. Stay away from processed food as much as possible
2. Don't be scared of some of the foods we are always told are bad-butter, whole milk, cheese
3. Do be scared of all the things that are marketed to sound good-all natural, full of antioxidants, low fat etc. It's almost all just marketing junk to make it look healthy
4. Don't feel like you have to totally change your lifestyle and move to a farm to eat a healthier-even small changes can be meaningful
5. The fresher and truly all natural--fresh from the source meats, dairy, veggies and fruit, whole wheat, the better.
I like that this goes against a lot of the dieting trends in that it is basically working to take our diet back to the 1800's and away from all the man-made concoctions, which is really how I've always felt is healthiest. I think it gave me some good ideas and will encourage me to be more committed to trying to purchase produce locally and participate in things like bountiful baskets more regularly.
There are a lot of interesting and gross facts about food in here, although, some of them are a stretch. For example, just because something is linked to cancer and a food has that in it does not mean that food will cause cancer, but that's what the authors imply. They clearly set out to scare you out of eating processed food, and I'm sure some of it is just as nasty as they say.
In the first half of the book it basically makes you feel like anything you don't pull straight off the farm is going to kill you, so pretty much everything we eat. How impossible does that sound to eat healthy? However, as they get in the practical side of it, it sounds much more doable.
The main take away:
1. Stay away from processed food as much as possible
2. Don't be scared of some of the foods we are always told are bad-butter, whole milk, cheese
3. Do be scared of all the things that are marketed to sound good-all natural, full of antioxidants, low fat etc. It's almost all just marketing junk to make it look healthy
4. Don't feel like you have to totally change your lifestyle and move to a farm to eat a healthier-even small changes can be meaningful
5. The fresher and truly all natural--fresh from the source meats, dairy, veggies and fruit, whole wheat, the better.
I like that this goes against a lot of the dieting trends in that it is basically working to take our diet back to the 1800's and away from all the man-made concoctions, which is really how I've always felt is healthiest. I think it gave me some good ideas and will encourage me to be more committed to trying to purchase produce locally and participate in things like bountiful baskets more regularly.
May 30, 2012
I think this would be a great book to introduce people to the idea of a truly whole foods diet that is free of processed foods--especially if they aren't interested in getting too deeply involved in the nutritional science behind the recommendations. The explanations for why we should eat this way are direct and simple to understand, but don't contain a lot of scientific references or jargon.I personally prefer books with more science, but I know that not everyone wants all that information. It's also a great book for people who aren't necessarily interested in losing weight, but still need to improve their diet. While the authors touch on weight loss briefly, the book is primarily about how the food we eat affects the way we feel.
I really wish the authors would have dealt with the issue of grains more fully. They don't really discuss the pros and cons of eating them, and while their meal plan includes some grain based meals, there are many days that don't include any grains at all. They didn't provide any good reason to eat them, but shied away from directly discouraging people from doing so.
I really wish the authors would have dealt with the issue of grains more fully. They don't really discuss the pros and cons of eating them, and while their meal plan includes some grain based meals, there are many days that don't include any grains at all. They didn't provide any good reason to eat them, but shied away from directly discouraging people from doing so.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews