Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices: The Invisible Influences that Guide Our Thinking

by Jack A. Bobo, Al Kessel (Narrator)

Our food has never been safer or more abundant and yet consumers have never been more scared. Consumers have never known more about nutrition and never been more obese. The proliferation of healthy snacks and diet books has done nothing to stem the tide of obesity. In fact, for most Americans, making healthy food choices is more difficult than doing their taxes. What are we doing wrong? Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices explores the hidden influences and mental shortcuts our minds use to process information and how that often leads to unhealthy food choices. Understanding these hidden influences can help us make better decisions. More importantly, we can learn to fear less, and enjoy more, the food we eat.

Genres: Nutrition, Health

8 pages, Audiobook

First published June 8, 2021

About the author

Jack A. Bobo is the CEO of Futurity, a food foresight company that helps brands get ahead of trends so they don’t get run over by them.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s different about this book, compared to so many other books designed to help people improve their diets, is that it focuses on the behavioral and psychological aspects of food choice. There are so many more powerful factors at play beyond nutrition knowledge, from decision fatigue to fear to food framing, not to mention social and economic inequities that have an enormous impact on nutrition and health. This book is an enlightening read for anyone interested in improving their own food decisions or the dietary patterns of broader communities.

[Christian · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF This book was terrible. The advice was extremely cliché, repeatedly recycling ideas about food psychology and eating habits that have already been discussed ad nauseam elsewhere. There was absolutely nothing innovative or insightful; every revelation about things such as decision fatigue, confirmation bias, and food marketing has been covered time and again and in in more engaging ways. After struggling through the first few chapters, I couldn’t continue; the writing didn’t hold my interest, and each chapter repeated the same tired points. If you’re looking for new perspectives or practical advice, you won’t find them in this book.

[Rory · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was published in May 2021 so, in my opinion, it should have up to date research and some items of interest.

I listened on audio book and I just heard everything I had heard before. A lot of about bigger portions when eating out and bigger plates. We all know this.

I didn't hear anything about invisible influences or how to resolve them.

Maybe I expected too much, but I had hoped for some information on how to make smart choices.

[tosha · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was some interesting information in this book but it’s not really meant for the average consumer. More of a manifesto for social change which is a bit disappointing since most of us can’t afford to wait until society catches up with nutritional science and our “foodscapes” are transformed to make us healthier. I’d recommend the Diet Cure or the Craving Cure by Julia Ross if you actually want to make substantial changes to your diet and understand how food affects your mind and body.

[Georgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Instead of citing multiple health sources (although there is health involved, and it is mentioned), he dives more into the psychological and physiological instances that drive the behaviors of shoving your face with things you shouldn't be eating. Very enlightening.

[Dmytro Safonov · Rating 2 out of 5]

not worth it

I’ve had lots of expectations from this book, but it turned out to be just a lot of bla bla about things that are common sense. Simply a waste of time…..

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook, as I was intrigued by the title. It has some overall good points regarding whats changed over time (size of plates, processed food, etc). Nothing too earth shattering. It was a nice reminder of those changes.