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Passionate Nutrition: A Guide to Using Food as Medicine from a Nutritionist Who Healed Herself from the Inside Out
This power-foods healthy-living guidebook will inspire readers to eat well, lose weight, and embrace food as medicine. “Food as medicine” is a powerfully healing way to eat and was embraced by nutritionist Jennifer Adler as she recovered from a malnourished childhood and adolescence. Part power-foods cookbook, part handbook for healthy living and eating, and part memoir, Passionate Nutrition provides digestible information, tips, and techniques for how to find your way to optimal health. She focuses on abundant eating (as opposed to restrictive eating), and explores what she calls “the healthy trinity”—digestion, balance, and whole foods. Adler guides and encourages readers to shift their diet to achieve this desirable balance, introduces power foods we should all eat, and provides healthy ways to lose weight, along with simple recipes to optimize health. With her personal story interwoven, readers will be inspired to embrace the healthy power of food.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published December 16, 2014
40 people are currently reading
1109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 3, 2015
This was a good book--well-written, inspirational, and doubtless exactly what many women need to know--but it wasn't exactly the book I was expecting. The subtitle states "a guide to using food as medicine," and that was what I was hoping for. There was definitely some useful information (I especially liked the chapter about healing the gut, and applaud the author for recommending whole foods instead of supplements), and I enjoyed reading about the author's personal journey to health. She had such an abysmal childhood and really turned her life around; it was truly an inspiration to read about it.
Still, I was disappointed with the book as a whole, as most of it seemed geared to chronic dieters and "orthorexics" (people who are so fixated on eating healthy that it becomes an eating disorder), explaining why dieting and stressing out over food are so bad for you, and why "forbidden foods" like fat and meat are important. There was a lot of print devoted to the concept of intuitive eating and accepting yourself as you are, even as you work to become healthier. Don't get me wrong, this is all great stuff, but as someone who swore off dieting a couple of decades ago, eats pretty much whatever I want, and is not overweight, it wasn't very useful. (I knew I was in the wrong place, so to speak, when she mentioned how her many tissues her clients go through in a session.)
So why did I read this book, you may be thinking. Well, not dieting or having food "issues" is great, but I could still be a lot healthier. My woes include hypothroidism, variable energy levels, IBS, rosacea and mild depression, and I would love to use food as medicine to heal myself. This book had some good tidbits but was really more geared at helping the chronic dieters and food-phobic.
Still, I was disappointed with the book as a whole, as most of it seemed geared to chronic dieters and "orthorexics" (people who are so fixated on eating healthy that it becomes an eating disorder), explaining why dieting and stressing out over food are so bad for you, and why "forbidden foods" like fat and meat are important. There was a lot of print devoted to the concept of intuitive eating and accepting yourself as you are, even as you work to become healthier. Don't get me wrong, this is all great stuff, but as someone who swore off dieting a couple of decades ago, eats pretty much whatever I want, and is not overweight, it wasn't very useful. (I knew I was in the wrong place, so to speak, when she mentioned how her many tissues her clients go through in a session.)
So why did I read this book, you may be thinking. Well, not dieting or having food "issues" is great, but I could still be a lot healthier. My woes include hypothroidism, variable energy levels, IBS, rosacea and mild depression, and I would love to use food as medicine to heal myself. This book had some good tidbits but was really more geared at helping the chronic dieters and food-phobic.
January 21, 2015
I don’t read food books. I don’t because I don’t cook. What? There, I said it. Just because I don’t cook doesn’t mean I don’t care about what I eat though. The thing that appealed to me about this book was that it was suppose to be a memoir. At some point, I wanted to study nutrition. I thought this would be a nice what-if book for me. I thought it might have some advice on how to eat better and a life story to go along with it. This book was so much more for me. Passionate Nutrition was a wake up call. I am buying this for my Mom and my sister.
Jennifer Adler tells her story. It isn’t squeaky clean. She is honest and writes conversationally about her battle for better nutrition. She speaks with passion about her quest to fix what ailed her. Her journey with food is horrifying and inspiring. She talks like someone who knows things can’t change overnight. She speaks about her own cheats and things she won’t compromise on anymore. She is someone I would love to meet and thank for letting me in on what may be wrong with my diet and how easy it would be to fix things. I have suffered with digestion issues for years. I am anxious to put her ideas into practice and see if it helps. If nothing else, this book makes me feel better about why I eat the way I eat and things I have been doing right with food.
Even if you don’t subscribe to all of Jennifer’s theories, her book is easy to read. Anyone could glean some helpful information from this text. I didn’t feel bad about the way I eat after reading this. Jennifer is careful not to offend the reader, but meets you where you are. She has done a lot and her honesty is so refreshing. She speaks as someone with a passion to help people stop beating themselves up and really enjoy food. This book includes recipes, lists of foods with the top nutritional benefits, a breakdown of what nutrients are really important for better health, ways to achieve a better diet, ways to rid guilt from eating, ways to improve intestinal health, and personal stories to keep all that entertaining. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it for almost anyone.
Jennifer Adler tells her story. It isn’t squeaky clean. She is honest and writes conversationally about her battle for better nutrition. She speaks with passion about her quest to fix what ailed her. Her journey with food is horrifying and inspiring. She talks like someone who knows things can’t change overnight. She speaks about her own cheats and things she won’t compromise on anymore. She is someone I would love to meet and thank for letting me in on what may be wrong with my diet and how easy it would be to fix things. I have suffered with digestion issues for years. I am anxious to put her ideas into practice and see if it helps. If nothing else, this book makes me feel better about why I eat the way I eat and things I have been doing right with food.
Even if you don’t subscribe to all of Jennifer’s theories, her book is easy to read. Anyone could glean some helpful information from this text. I didn’t feel bad about the way I eat after reading this. Jennifer is careful not to offend the reader, but meets you where you are. She has done a lot and her honesty is so refreshing. She speaks as someone with a passion to help people stop beating themselves up and really enjoy food. This book includes recipes, lists of foods with the top nutritional benefits, a breakdown of what nutrients are really important for better health, ways to achieve a better diet, ways to rid guilt from eating, ways to improve intestinal health, and personal stories to keep all that entertaining. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it for almost anyone.
September 20, 2019
I want to buy copies of this for every woman I know. Jennifer shares her inspiring life story and empowers the reader to heal themselves with a practical compassionate nutritional approach. This book goes beyond nutrition and leads the reader down a path of self-acceptance and love.
December 13, 2014
In "Passionate Nutrition," Adler uses her knowledge as a nutritionist to provide some common sense guidance for those that are looking to get healthier and to have a healthier relationship with food. Adler's background is very unique in that she had a very difficult life growing up where food was scarce and the scarce food that there was in the house was not healthy at all. As she grew up, she knew that she wanted to make her life's work in showing others how to use food as medicine. It's a fascinating look.
I really liked how much of herself the author chose to infuse this book with. Adler makes a point to say that she usually doesn't tell her clients about her very painful past as she shares her story throughout the book. This truthfulness really adds a lot to this book and definitely enhanced my experience in reading the book.
There were a lot of different parts of this book that I know that I want to try out in my own life. This book definitely has a lot of food for thought and I love when a book can make you think outside the box, which this one certainly does. This book would be a great pick for anyone looking to revamp their own outlook on food.
I really liked how much of herself the author chose to infuse this book with. Adler makes a point to say that she usually doesn't tell her clients about her very painful past as she shares her story throughout the book. This truthfulness really adds a lot to this book and definitely enhanced my experience in reading the book.
There were a lot of different parts of this book that I know that I want to try out in my own life. This book definitely has a lot of food for thought and I love when a book can make you think outside the box, which this one certainly does. This book would be a great pick for anyone looking to revamp their own outlook on food.
March 10, 2017
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. I have read heaps of books about nutrition and there are incredible books out there but THIS is my current favorite. Her own personal story about how she became educated about nutrition and why was heartbreaking but courageous. Her attack on the Standard American Diet and the way that we try to lose weight has been done over and over again but the way she approached it resonated with me. I can understand the pain and frustration of eating less and less and exercising more and more and still gaining weight and having doctors and society in general telling me that I simply was not trying enough and I must be a lazy sloth who eats McDonalds when in fact, that was far from truth. Once I started eating MORE calories but of whole foods, the weight started to come off. I get so sick of the "calories in=calories out" as it has been proven outdated and damaging but it is still touted by some as science. Her chapters on digestive issues and immune issues were fantastic, the science well laid out and understandable by those without a chemistry degree, and were supplemented with easy to follow suggestions on how to incorporate these principles into daily life. This women has gotten me to eat seaweed and fermented foods! Impressive.
The author not only stays away from shaming people for their eating habits but she is extremely accepting of people wherever they are nutritionally and advocates self love and treating yourself with dignity rather than getting down on yourself whenever you eat something that you previously felt guilty for eating.
The author not only stays away from shaming people for their eating habits but she is extremely accepting of people wherever they are nutritionally and advocates self love and treating yourself with dignity rather than getting down on yourself whenever you eat something that you previously felt guilty for eating.
January 2, 2015
Great recipes at the end make it easy to see how easy whole foods can be added to the toolkit for cooking meals. I like how overall it doesnt exactly seem pricey to be more nutritionally savvy. The pursuit of the pasture chicken, beef, and eggs may be a bit challenging but I believe baby steps can at least be taken to move off of the traditional way that meat is sold in American stores.
I like the seaweed tip offered for more health benefits getting the vegetables raw (but there was nothing about canned vegetables), or trying frozen vegetables and fruits (even a natural smoothie recipe), and a few other minor tips.
Writing style made it feel like a good conversation of sharing tips instead of a rule book of how to be a better eater. Take the time to savor and enjoy food, dont remove things yet (unless they are a long list of ingredients one cant imagine growing naturally or recognizable), listen to music while eating or chatting with friends, and etc. Its just a really well done book.
I like the seaweed tip offered for more health benefits getting the vegetables raw (but there was nothing about canned vegetables), or trying frozen vegetables and fruits (even a natural smoothie recipe), and a few other minor tips.
Writing style made it feel like a good conversation of sharing tips instead of a rule book of how to be a better eater. Take the time to savor and enjoy food, dont remove things yet (unless they are a long list of ingredients one cant imagine growing naturally or recognizable), listen to music while eating or chatting with friends, and etc. Its just a really well done book.
December 29, 2014
Seattle-based nutritionist Jennifer Adler has a profoundly unique and nearly tragic personal story. It is only "nearly tragic" because she finds her way through the hard times and creates a successful business.
This is an enthusiastic approach to eating based on natural foods. She embraces a lot of fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, miso, nettle, seaweed, and more as well as grass-fed meats. There is no diet plan here or magic formula. Rather, it is about incorporating small changes steadily into one's diet with the intention of correcting how we feel in areas of digestion, skin, weight, etc. She also provides a chapter on homemade beauty treatments and a chapter on sexual healing, both subjects you do not often find in diet books.
Friendly and encouraging, there are at least a few ideas for health seekers to try.
This is an enthusiastic approach to eating based on natural foods. She embraces a lot of fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, miso, nettle, seaweed, and more as well as grass-fed meats. There is no diet plan here or magic formula. Rather, it is about incorporating small changes steadily into one's diet with the intention of correcting how we feel in areas of digestion, skin, weight, etc. She also provides a chapter on homemade beauty treatments and a chapter on sexual healing, both subjects you do not often find in diet books.
Friendly and encouraging, there are at least a few ideas for health seekers to try.
October 24, 2015
Excellent book! Well written and full of great advice. I love Adler's kind approach to health and nutrition. First we have to love and appreciate ourselves. Being healthy should not involve deprivation. She also tossed so many interesting ideas in this book, too. How we need bacteria in our lives...how we need to stop being so sterile and clean, the whole idea of fermented foods (never realized the health benefits!!). And her recipes don't require we buy into expensive fads. Very interesting book!
June 21, 2017
Inspiring guide by a nutritionist whose own struggles with food, sex, health, diet, and love reads like a dark novel.
In simple straightforward prose, Adler doles out common sense advice. Like Dr Josh Axe, Adler examines gut health as a foundation and de-myths some long held beliefs about what to eat and what to avoid.
More than that, Adler clearly wants women in particular to appreciate their bodies and food.
Includes natural beauty tips -- though I object to twice weekly baths and still prefer twice DAILY -- and recipes.
In simple straightforward prose, Adler doles out common sense advice. Like Dr Josh Axe, Adler examines gut health as a foundation and de-myths some long held beliefs about what to eat and what to avoid.
More than that, Adler clearly wants women in particular to appreciate their bodies and food.
Includes natural beauty tips -- though I object to twice weekly baths and still prefer twice DAILY -- and recipes.
March 30, 2022
A great nutrition book for the everyday person looking to heal their bodies through food. Very easy to follow, lots of awesome advice, would definitely recommend this book.
December 10, 2014
With so many diet and nutrition books out there to read, it can be hard to figure out what is really accurate. One book can tell you to not eat any carbs and another will tell you not to eat a lot of red meat. With that being said, Jennifer Adler's advice comes from personal experience. She talks about how she was very sickly as a child and from her experience of eating to get well. She offers a lot of great tips and ideas from her own experiences that have worked for her and others. Nothing in this book seems overly complex or unrealistic. In one of the chapters Adler talks about just by looking at a person, often times she can pinpoint nutritional issues that cause them. For instance she discusses contributing factors to acne or dandruff.
This book is more than just a nutritional book. There are recipes included and stories about her own life that had to be hard to put in a book. She gives beauty tips and how to eat for energy or deficiencies in your diet. She also discusses how the right foods improve your health but in a round about way can improve emotional well-being. Jennifer discusses different types of eaters to help you identify what kind of person you are (are you always on the goal or do you try to self-sabotage yourself with food?). I do not know why, but there was a bullet point that really stuck with me about restaurants. She mentions that the reason that higher end restaurant's food tastes better is because they use higher-end ingredients. Everything is usually fresh. However, some of the restaurants that are not as expensive use shelf-stable foods (or frozen) and lower quality vegetables. This seems like general knowledge due to price and cost saving measures on the lower qualities business side. However, most people cannot afford to go out to eat at the more expensive restaurants on a regular basis. She suggests people use those types of restaurants as celebratory meals. Again, this seems like general knowledge. However, I know I am guilty for going not necessarily a fast food restaurant but an affordable sit-down restaurant because sometimes that is just easy. However, sometimes I need to really think about what is better for me in the long run as far as what I put in my body. This is a great handbook with lots of bullet points and dinner ideas. It explains certain types of food and why they are good for your health. The chapters are broken up so that it easy to find something that you want to reference back to later on. I loved how everything was explained in layman's terms! If you are looking for a nutritional book with a little more than telling you to eat this or that, look into this book!
I received a review copy of this book for an honest review.
This book is more than just a nutritional book. There are recipes included and stories about her own life that had to be hard to put in a book. She gives beauty tips and how to eat for energy or deficiencies in your diet. She also discusses how the right foods improve your health but in a round about way can improve emotional well-being. Jennifer discusses different types of eaters to help you identify what kind of person you are (are you always on the goal or do you try to self-sabotage yourself with food?). I do not know why, but there was a bullet point that really stuck with me about restaurants. She mentions that the reason that higher end restaurant's food tastes better is because they use higher-end ingredients. Everything is usually fresh. However, some of the restaurants that are not as expensive use shelf-stable foods (or frozen) and lower quality vegetables. This seems like general knowledge due to price and cost saving measures on the lower qualities business side. However, most people cannot afford to go out to eat at the more expensive restaurants on a regular basis. She suggests people use those types of restaurants as celebratory meals. Again, this seems like general knowledge. However, I know I am guilty for going not necessarily a fast food restaurant but an affordable sit-down restaurant because sometimes that is just easy. However, sometimes I need to really think about what is better for me in the long run as far as what I put in my body. This is a great handbook with lots of bullet points and dinner ideas. It explains certain types of food and why they are good for your health. The chapters are broken up so that it easy to find something that you want to reference back to later on. I loved how everything was explained in layman's terms! If you are looking for a nutritional book with a little more than telling you to eat this or that, look into this book!
I received a review copy of this book for an honest review.
January 8, 2015
Although this is a book about nutrition, it’s Jennifer’s story that really is the star of the book. Her childhood was anything but typical. The daughter of a pedophile father and a mother who passed at a young age from cancer, at times she was forced to steal food if she wanted to eat. Much of her young life she lived off of scraps and junk food. Despite her deprived upbringing, she learned that by simply changing what you put into your body, you could change how you feel not only physically, but emotionally. This led her into the field of nutrition and opening up her own practice called Passionate Nutrition.
It’s almost daily that you hear about a new diet craze claiming that if you eat this or eliminate that then you are guaranteed optimum health. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to restricting my diet, I find that I never achieve the results that I set out to. With Jennifer’s approach, she actually encourages abundant eating. Which, for me, is very doable! She goes on to explain The Healthy Trinity, which is digestion, balance and whole foods and when unbalanced the body as a whole is affected.
In this book, the author offers healthy ways to lose weight with recipes to encourage health and liveliness. It’s not your mother’s typical cookbook, but instead shows the author’s journey from starvation to optimum health of both body and soul. Her inspirational story is both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. It’s a true testament that it’s not about where you’re at, but where you’re going in life that truly shapes who you are.
It’s almost daily that you hear about a new diet craze claiming that if you eat this or eliminate that then you are guaranteed optimum health. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to restricting my diet, I find that I never achieve the results that I set out to. With Jennifer’s approach, she actually encourages abundant eating. Which, for me, is very doable! She goes on to explain The Healthy Trinity, which is digestion, balance and whole foods and when unbalanced the body as a whole is affected.
In this book, the author offers healthy ways to lose weight with recipes to encourage health and liveliness. It’s not your mother’s typical cookbook, but instead shows the author’s journey from starvation to optimum health of both body and soul. Her inspirational story is both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. It’s a true testament that it’s not about where you’re at, but where you’re going in life that truly shapes who you are.
January 17, 2015
I won this from Goodreads! Please consult a doctor before making any serious diet changes.
From her personal struggles with food and nutrition to her own life circumstance, this unique and informative book stands high above anything else I have read in this vein.
Natural tips, explanations of cravings and a focus on self care, this is a great road map to begin on your food awareness journey.
I appreciate that Jennifer discusses that not everyone can be vegetarian; a conversation that I have had with others many times. Not all bodies are the same and fuel for each of us effects us all differently.
I will be keeping it on my bookshelf next to my cook books for quick reference.
Excellent.
From her personal struggles with food and nutrition to her own life circumstance, this unique and informative book stands high above anything else I have read in this vein.
Natural tips, explanations of cravings and a focus on self care, this is a great road map to begin on your food awareness journey.
I appreciate that Jennifer discusses that not everyone can be vegetarian; a conversation that I have had with others many times. Not all bodies are the same and fuel for each of us effects us all differently.
I will be keeping it on my bookshelf next to my cook books for quick reference.
Excellent.
June 3, 2016
Some chapters were great, but there were a few sections that I hated. Jennifer is very condescending towards vegetarian/vegan diets. Just because her vegetarian years were not her healthiest does not mean it is a bad diet. Plenty of people (and elite athletes!) thrive on vegan diets. Her advice is good for someone that has an outrageously unhealthy diet/relationship with food and wants to eat better, but not very helpful for someone that already eats relatively healthy and wants to achieve optimal health.
August 18, 2015
Terrific. Begins with Jennifer Adler's personal story followed by what may seem to some her unorthodox approach to food as medicine. Adler advocates not only for incorporating the "in" foods such as probiotic-rich kefir and miso, but also makes credible claims for reintroducing the often taboo butter, whole milk, and beef (grass fed.) May inspire a willingness to change for those stuck in a rut of low-fat fare and who agonize over very morsel consumed.
February 19, 2015
I loved this book. The author's truly remarkable story about growing up in abject poverty, undernourished, and being abused and neglected is inspiring. Not only did I learn a ton about nutrition, but I also was impressed at the ability of the human spirit to shine through and overcome so much. If you have any issues around eating, food, or dieting, this book is a must-read.
August 15, 2016
This is NOT your average nutrition guide, but a guide to healthy living that looks at the whole person's psychology and works with food to help heal the individual. If you like the message, subscribe to Clean Eating magazine as they have a similar philosophy.
February 7, 2017
This book was interesting but felt more like promo for her nutrition practice than an actual cohesive guide to nutrition or her theories on nutrition. I did find her life story interesting but for the most part this book just was not for me.
January 29, 2015
A lot of inspiring information about living and eating. The 100 year diet is a smart concept about eating whole foods. Many new ideas about nutrition and eating unprocessed food.
May 9, 2018
I couldn’t put this book down for the first 3/4 but it was a little hard to swallow at the end. I personally believe that having fluoride in your oral care is important and that twice daily baking soda toothpaste could be a little too abrasive. The last chapter was nice, and I respect her and understand the purpose but it felt out of place for the average reader. I have encouraged many to read this book, because I love Jennifer’s approach to healthy eating and loving yourself. Absolutely worth a read to anyone hoping to resolve digestion issues (why I picked up the book). Already I’m less scared of dairy and incorporated seaweed into my daily diet. Good luck on your nutrition journey!
January 7, 2021
Jennifer Adler has done an AMAZING job with this entire book! I could NOT put this book down as her story telling of her life while adding in the nutrition/health portion of this was VERY worth it cover to cover. I felt so very inspired with each chapter and felt like at some times I could very much relate with some of the bulletpoints she was offering within her chapters. I LOVED this book that I always have it near me and like to re-read chapters that I've highlighted to continue my education on said topic. I have even followed a few of her recommendations for eating healthy and they have helped SO much! Fabulous read and highly recommend!
August 16, 2019
A pretty basic prescription: eat real food, listen to your body, and love your body the way it is (which I always thought was stupid... If you love your body, where is the motivation to be healthier?). Then there's the gems like "chicken eaters are flighty and beef eaters are calm", or "foods that look like body parts are good for those parts". You would be better off reading some of the books she so frequently cites rather than hers. Her background story seems just a bit too much to be true, but maybe that's just my inner cynic that needs some beef to mellow out.
September 3, 2019
Passionate Nutrition is written from the perspective of traditional medicine. Though I agreed with some of the concepts, such as the importance of gut health and good bacteria and eating food in its whole state, I disagreed with much of what Jennifer Adler promoted, including a diet rich in meat and dairy. Much of what she shared was based on anecdotal evidence with an emphasis on "listening" to one's body and following "gut instinct." I would have appreciated more solid scientific research behind her statements and less reliance on what she believed that "our ancestors" did.
June 21, 2021
Just picked this up to look at as I was checking books in at my library job. I ended up taking it home and pouring through it the rest of the night. I was really drawn in by authors own personal story and how it led her to the field of studying nutrition. I am a fan and if I were having big issues in this area I would definitely tune in to all her advice more.
December 11, 2023
Very informative. I appreciate the conversational writing, which makes it easier for the average person (like myself) to read and comprehend. If you've struggled with your health, weight, or body image in any way, this book could be a great tool for you.
July 28, 2017
Very informational and inspiring!
April 18, 2021
I found this book to be engaging and full of practical, helpful steps for taking strides in my journey with nutrition. I would definitely recommend it as a useful resource.
July 17, 2021
A lot of good no nonsense information. It made sense. Author’s story was quite amazing!
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December 8, 2021Great
December 20, 2023
Very interesting book and wonderful story of her life of malnutrition until she found her way to good health.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews