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What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Food: The truth about modern diets and health - everything you should know about what you're eating and why it matters
Most people people say their doctor has never talked with them about food, yet what we eat is the one thing that we have control over which can seriously impact our health for the better. This book is here to bust some deep rooted myths about plant-based eating.
* Is plant protein as good as animal protein? * What foods should you eat to live longer? * Are Sugar Spikes the enemy? * What are the 10 rules for eating better than 90% of your friends?
Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a doctor and gastroenterologist, Dr Alan Desmond shows the powerful connection between what you eat and how you feel - both today and for the rest of your life.
Addressing common misconceptions you'll learn which protein-rich foods are the foundation of a truly healthy diet, how ultra-processed foods might be sabotaging your health, and why dietary fibre is the unsung hero of gut health and overall well-being.
This book is about more than just avoiding disease. It's about optimizing your diet for better digestion, more energy, a sharper mind, for a longer, healthier and happier life. You don't have to be perfect to make this work- but you do need to be better informed and ready to make smarter choices every time you eat.
Packed with insights from researchers, dietitians, athletes, and top experts in human nutrition, What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Food offers straightforward, practical advice you can actually use. Whether you're looking to fight disease, improve your health, or simply make better food choices, this book is your guide to taking control of your health - starting today.
* Is plant protein as good as animal protein? * What foods should you eat to live longer? * Are Sugar Spikes the enemy? * What are the 10 rules for eating better than 90% of your friends?
Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a doctor and gastroenterologist, Dr Alan Desmond shows the powerful connection between what you eat and how you feel - both today and for the rest of your life.
Addressing common misconceptions you'll learn which protein-rich foods are the foundation of a truly healthy diet, how ultra-processed foods might be sabotaging your health, and why dietary fibre is the unsung hero of gut health and overall well-being.
This book is about more than just avoiding disease. It's about optimizing your diet for better digestion, more energy, a sharper mind, for a longer, healthier and happier life. You don't have to be perfect to make this work- but you do need to be better informed and ready to make smarter choices every time you eat.
Packed with insights from researchers, dietitians, athletes, and top experts in human nutrition, What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Food offers straightforward, practical advice you can actually use. Whether you're looking to fight disease, improve your health, or simply make better food choices, this book is your guide to taking control of your health - starting today.
- GenresHealth
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 9, 2026
What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Food: The Truth About Modern Diets and Health is an insightful, evidence-based guide that challenges many of the assumptions people hold about nutrition while offering practical strategies for building a healthier lifestyle. Drawing on more than two decades of experience as a gastroenterologist, Dr. Alan Desmond combines medical expertise with accessible advice, empowering readers to make informed dietary choices that can improve both their immediate well-being and their long-term health.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its focus on questions that many people genuinely want answered but often struggle to navigate amid conflicting nutrition advice. From the quality of plant-based protein to the role of dietary fiber, sugar spikes, and ultra-processed foods, Dr. Desmond addresses popular misconceptions with clarity and scientific reasoning. Rather than promoting fad diets or rigid rules, he encourages readers to understand the evidence behind their everyday food choices.
The book excels at making complex nutritional science understandable for a broad audience. Dr. Desmond explains how food influences digestion, metabolism, cardiovascular health, brain function, and overall wellness without overwhelming readers with technical jargon. His approachable writing style makes complicated medical concepts feel practical and relevant, allowing readers to confidently apply what they learn to everyday life.
A particularly compelling aspect of the book is its emphasis on prevention rather than treatment. Instead of focusing solely on managing disease after it develops, Dr. Desmond highlights how consistent dietary habits can reduce health risks and support long-term vitality. This proactive approach encourages readers to view nutrition not as a short-term solution but as a lifelong investment in better health.
The discussion of gut health is especially valuable. As a gastroenterologist, Dr. Desmond brings specialized insight into the importance of dietary fiber, the gut microbiome, and digestive health. He effectively demonstrates how maintaining a healthy digestive system influences far more than digestion alone, connecting gut health to energy levels, immune function, and overall quality of life. This holistic perspective gives the book added depth and practical relevance.
Another notable strength is the book's balanced and realistic tone. Dr. Desmond avoids perfectionism, acknowledging that lasting dietary improvements come through informed, sustainable choices rather than extreme restrictions. His practical recommendations are designed to fit into everyday life, making healthy eating feel achievable instead of intimidating. This emphasis on progress over perfection makes the advice both encouraging and sustainable.
The inclusion of insights from researchers, dietitians, athletes, and nutrition experts further strengthens the book's credibility. By drawing from a broad range of evidence and professional expertise, Dr. Desmond presents readers with a well-rounded perspective on modern nutrition while encouraging critical thinking about common health myths and marketing claims surrounding food.
Informative, practical, and grounded in science, What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Food is an excellent resource for anyone seeking to better understand the connection between nutrition and long-term health. Readers interested in healthy eating, preventive medicine, gut health, plant-based nutrition, and evidence-based wellness will find this an invaluable guide. It is a book that not only educates but also equips readers with realistic strategies for making healthier choices that can have lasting benefits.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its focus on questions that many people genuinely want answered but often struggle to navigate amid conflicting nutrition advice. From the quality of plant-based protein to the role of dietary fiber, sugar spikes, and ultra-processed foods, Dr. Desmond addresses popular misconceptions with clarity and scientific reasoning. Rather than promoting fad diets or rigid rules, he encourages readers to understand the evidence behind their everyday food choices.
The book excels at making complex nutritional science understandable for a broad audience. Dr. Desmond explains how food influences digestion, metabolism, cardiovascular health, brain function, and overall wellness without overwhelming readers with technical jargon. His approachable writing style makes complicated medical concepts feel practical and relevant, allowing readers to confidently apply what they learn to everyday life.
A particularly compelling aspect of the book is its emphasis on prevention rather than treatment. Instead of focusing solely on managing disease after it develops, Dr. Desmond highlights how consistent dietary habits can reduce health risks and support long-term vitality. This proactive approach encourages readers to view nutrition not as a short-term solution but as a lifelong investment in better health.
The discussion of gut health is especially valuable. As a gastroenterologist, Dr. Desmond brings specialized insight into the importance of dietary fiber, the gut microbiome, and digestive health. He effectively demonstrates how maintaining a healthy digestive system influences far more than digestion alone, connecting gut health to energy levels, immune function, and overall quality of life. This holistic perspective gives the book added depth and practical relevance.
Another notable strength is the book's balanced and realistic tone. Dr. Desmond avoids perfectionism, acknowledging that lasting dietary improvements come through informed, sustainable choices rather than extreme restrictions. His practical recommendations are designed to fit into everyday life, making healthy eating feel achievable instead of intimidating. This emphasis on progress over perfection makes the advice both encouraging and sustainable.
The inclusion of insights from researchers, dietitians, athletes, and nutrition experts further strengthens the book's credibility. By drawing from a broad range of evidence and professional expertise, Dr. Desmond presents readers with a well-rounded perspective on modern nutrition while encouraging critical thinking about common health myths and marketing claims surrounding food.
Informative, practical, and grounded in science, What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Food is an excellent resource for anyone seeking to better understand the connection between nutrition and long-term health. Readers interested in healthy eating, preventive medicine, gut health, plant-based nutrition, and evidence-based wellness will find this an invaluable guide. It is a book that not only educates but also equips readers with realistic strategies for making healthier choices that can have lasting benefits.
Review of advance copy
Got this book from Waterstones slightly before the publication date it seems, lucky me.
Dr Desmond goes into a lot of detail about nutrition and what the research says about food and what to eat to maximise your health span.
Dr Desmond goes into a lot of detail about nutrition and what the research says about food and what to eat to maximise your health span.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews