Consumed: Why Americans Hate, Love, and Fear Food

by Michelle Stacey

In this look at the uniquely American obsession with food, Michelle Stacey chronicles the psychological and cultural forces that have transformed oat bran and broccoli into magical totems, and steak, butter, and eggs into killers.

Stacey takes us on a revealing journey through the landscape of American food paranoia and suggests a new answer to our fears, one that takes into account our ancient and abiding love for eating.

Genres: Nonfiction, Food

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

the disadvantage of this book is that it was written in 1994 so it's main focus is viewing America's whack eating habits through the lens of the "low/no fat" and the oat bran-in-everything trends. Luckily, people are still morons so you can substitute in whatever your favorite dietary trend is (antioxidents! low-carbs! veganism!) and have the explanation be roughly the same. thought that this would be more of a psychology-oriented book but ut had to do more with the -ology of marketing "scientific" findings. as always, ms. stacy's writing is pleasant and easily read without sacrificing content.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book-length essay on the politics of food science and culture in the United States. Stacy looks at the weird ways Americans are altering their diets in order to measure up to some imagined nutritional ideal. She interviews several scientists, chefs and food writers who claim that the result is a pathological and cultural fear of food that brings about the very problems that these altered diets were meant to avoid. Along the way, the book pauses to talk with the inventor of Olestra, the fat substitute that failed abysmally in the marketplace, and with the head of the nation's leading vegetarian advocacy group. This is a good companion volume to the last few chapters of Harold McGee's On Food and Cooking, and a necessary waystation for anyone contemplating a radical change in diet.

[Carol Bakker · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
To talk about simple moderation — good, satisfying food in normal amounts — is to talk like an adult, a parent, and that's never as fun.

Even though it was published in 1994, in the heyday of low-fat products like Snackwell's, there are some good insights, e.g. It is easier to fool the mind than the body. And Eat good stuff, just less of it. The book predates the discovery of the satiety hormone leptin (1994) and the hunger hormone ghrelin (1999). When the word vegan was used, the pronunciation and definition were included. I was astonished that refined and processed vegetable oils were known back then to be problematic.

At the same time, it smacked of reading through an old journal. Oat bran? I remember you! Flaxseeds? Oh yeah! Steamed veggies? Hello darkness my old friend! Eating the whole package of treats because they were low-fat? Been there. Done that.

Over the last year I have been 1) becoming convinced in my brain about- and 2) practicing moderation. The all-or-nothing mentality has deep grooves in my DNA, and yet it is a mindset that has not served me well. Even as I type this, I recall that an hour ago I was talking to my husband about a new approach to losing weight that has worked for a friend, one that requires drinking a cup of olive oil once a month. He smiled and reminded me that moderation and gratitude were my focus. Argh!!! Lord, have mercy!

[Bethany Donovan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book was published in 1994, and I just read it in 2018, I thought it was an interesting peak into the history of American eating and our myriad neuroses surrounding food in this nation. It was also interesting to see how a good portion of the book surrounded the low fat fad of the 1990s and all the other fads that were happening in the 80s and 90s. It started out slow, but I actually started to enjoy it in the second half. If you decide to read this book, stick through the beginning and you might end up liking it. I almost didn’t finish it, but then my stubborn side would let me give up on it. I’m glad I didn’t.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dated but still can make you think. In America we are more nutrition focused than taste focused - does that actually contributed to our disordered eating and obsession with junk food?

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about Americans weird eating habits and propensity for being overweight and obsessing about health and food. Apparently, it's all or nothing for us.

However, it would be interesting to read studies about how people in other countries actually eat. According to this author, it's how Americans eat, not what they eat that is the cause of our poor health.

[heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, though a bit dated (1995?). I appreciated the emphasis on America's warped attitudes toward food, and the background info on the people who have shaped our food industry.