The Gluten Lie

This book was annoying.

I saw a picture of it online somewhere and ordered from the library. I assumed it was written by a scientist who would discuss science. In actuality, the author has no health experience; he studies religion, and essentially wrote this book to show how fad diets are mythologies. There is very little discussion of the science. Studies are referenced, but nothing you haven't heard before (if you read this kind of thing) and it's glossed over; a talking point in service of his argument.

His focus is on history and identifying the individuals responsible for demonizing particular foods: gluten, fat, sugar, salt. These are all things the general public needs to educate themselves on, as most people aren't aware of the controversy around public health guidelines.

However, the book was mostly ruined for me by an off-putting tone of condescending sarcasm throughout, to the point of calling out and mocking multiple people currently active in the online health community. It's unprofessional and makes him sound arrogant - you can disagree with someone without being an asshole. This coming from someone with an extremely sarcastic sense of humor who actually agrees with him on a lot of this. But it does not translate well into book form, or at least this particular book. The fake diet and the critique of the fake diet at the end were the most annoying way to end and kind of sums the whole thing up. He's not wrong, but it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

It's ironic that he chose to write a book that vilifies certain people for lack of credentials, blind promotion of an agenda, and potential book sales... when that's basically what this is.

He is absolutely correct in the amount of fear inspired by food choices these days and we all just need to chill out. I'm surprised he never used the word orthorexia, but that's basically what he discusses. I will also say if you find yourself buying into every new fad diet this book will help you develop a lens of healthy skepticism. Don't go into it expecting a scientific exposé, be prepared for the tone and maybe you'll enjoy it more than I did.

I highly recommend Denise Minger's Death by Food Pyramid for a much better example of a balanced book by a health industry outsider that will teach you how to interpret food studies.

There is a good 2-star review that I agree with to an extent, and the reviewer states her opinions on this book far better than I am able to do. I gave it a three-star rating, though. It was interesting. But I agree that our author is, perhaps, not the best authority on dietary science. I'm also a little baffled about some of his statements on sugar and fats. And if one more person mentions BMI, I'll scream. Even when a writer dismisses the BMI tables, they end up using them. But I digress. I appreciate his skepticism, but I also find him a little TOO skeptic, if that makes any sense. Anyway, go read the 2-star review. It's a better review.