Terrors of the Table: The Curious History of Nutrition

by Walter Gratzer

Terrors of the Table is an absorbing account of the struggle to find the necessary ingredients of a healthy diet, and the fads and quackery that have always waylaid the unwary and the foolish when it comes to the matter of food and health. Walter Gratzer tells the tale of nutrition's heroes, heroines and charlatans with characteristic crispness and verve. We find an array of colourful personalities, from the distinguished but quarrelsome Liebig, to the enterprising Lydia
Pinkham. But we also find the slow recognition that the lack of vital ingredients can cause terrible illnesses - scurvy, rickets, beriberi. These diseases stalked the poor in the West even into the 20th century, and scandalously remain in poorer parts of the world today. The narrative stretches from classical
times to the modern day and gives a valuable historical perspective to our current understanding. It also highlights some of the problems faced by the developed world regarding health today - in particular diabetes and obesity. And despite our far greater understanding of what our body needs, there are still many who would fall for fads and fancy diets - some dangerous, others just daft.

Of course, the story of nutrition does not end there. We have discovered the key vitamins and minerals our body needs, but research continues on the connections between diet, health and disease. The body's biochemistry is complex, and there are no easy answers, no magic formula, that applies to all individuals. The safest and most rational course would seem to be a sensible, moderate, and varied diet, not forgetting that 'a little of what you fancy does you good'.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Nutrition, Food

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Annabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book undoubtedly offers lots of information and every paragraph is packed with unknown facts about nutrition over the past centuries; it is truly fascinating. The only problem with the text, for me, is that it really jumps across not only decades but centuries within the same paragraph sometimes, which didn't suit my reading style or what I was looking for. The text is divided into relevant thematic sections, such as 'Fads and Quacks' and 'The Scurvy Wars', but personally I would prefer a more chronological structure that would be easier to follow and I would find it it easier to flick through different sections to find what I am looking for, as although it is all wonderfully interesting, I am only interested for the moment in the Elizabethan era, and it was rather difficult to search for only this.

[Durbsplaty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just started reading this most amazaing account of the history of nutrition. Picked it up by chance off the 'Sales' table at Exclusive's. We take so much for granted about the why and wherefore's of the foods we consider healthy to eat...or not eat. Really well written and extremely informative and entertaining!

[Jane Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixes two different fields of study; the discoveries of the science of nutrition and a history of such things as food adulteration and dieting. That doesn't work all that well. Despite what some have said, it is certainly not too technical. The complicated science is relegated to an appendix.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost like a textbook of stories of the people who studied nutrition through the ages and how they figured out how common health issues (e.g. rickets, scurvy) were related to nutrition, this book is a good read if you want every last detail (who studied nutrition plus their life story). Written from a scientific background, it gets very technical, so I wouldn't really recommend it for an average reader who wants to know "The Curious History of Nutrition". What you learn by reading it is that humans know very little about nutrition or what is ideal. We didn't know about vitamins until the last century! Crazy.

[rambow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting and entertaining book about the history of nutrition. It proceeds in roughly chronological order and goes into some detail about the lives and characters of the various major players in the history of nutrition, though some of the later chapters strike a slightly moralizing and alarmist tone. The bibliography is really helpful.

[Jocelyn Antl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very technical. Almost painful in some areas. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is new to the study of nutrition. On the other hand, it's very detailed with impressive scientific research and background. If you're looking for hard facts about a somewhat new and underdeveloped science, this is the book for you.

[Melody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story about food and humanity's relationship with it throughout the course of history. The book doesn't flow well, and the writing is scholarly and dry, but it's worth the slog for the delightful trivia available within.

[Fee · Rating 2 out of 5]

"A curious history of nutrition". Academic, history, science, fads, quackery, health themes. Very laborious reading with some excellent gems hidden within.