Encyclopedia of Foods

Rating:
Summary: A terrific source of information
Review: I must disagree with the previous review. As I own both this book and the The Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition mentioned by the reviewer, I do not believe them to be incompatible. While the two books are written from different health perspectives both provide ton of useful information.

I found this book to be extremely valuable and informative. Many of the complaints raised in the previous review misstate information in the book. For example, rather than categorically denying the value of organic foods the book states, "[n]utritionally, organically grown foods may not be significantly different from the same products grown with conventional farming techniques." Further, while the reviewer may have derived benefits from herbal remedies, it appears from the scientifically generated studies that there is little conclusive evidence that herbal remedies provide significant therapeutic benefits. These might be proven in the future, but they are not in existence at the present. But these criticisms miss the whole point of the book itself.

Encyclopedia of Foods is not a scientific study of farming techniques or illness remedies. It is a book about some possible ways to maintain a healthy diet. It is a book about the different types of foods and their places in a healthy diet. The book describes a multitude of foods and gives a great deal of information on the history of cultivation, nutritional benefits, and selected methods of preparation for them. It is a general text and not a scholarly work produced for nutritionists or other healthcare professionals. It also has several chapters devoted to explaining healthful diets, nutrients, and the relationship between some types of illnesses and diet. As a layman with a long interest in fitness, exercise and nutrition I found it to be very informative and will be a great help to me in selection what I eat in the future.

I would highly recommend this book as a great source of general information on healthy diets and foods.

Rating:
Summary: A terrific source of information
Review: I must disagree with the previous review. As I own both this book and the The Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition mentioned by the reviewer, I do not believe them to be incompatible. While the two books are written from different health perspectives both provide ton of useful information.

I found this book to be extremely valuable and informative. Many of the complaints raised in the previous review misstate information in the book. For example, rather than categorically denying the value of organic foods the book states, "[n]utritionally, organically grown foods may not be significantly different from the same products grown with conventional farming techniques." Further, while the reviewer may have derived benefits from herbal remedies, it appears from the scientifically generated studies that there is little conclusive evidence that herbal remedies provide significant therapeutic benefits. These might be proven in the future, but they are not in existence at the present. But these criticisms miss the whole point of the book itself.

Encyclopedia of Foods is not a scientific study of farming techniques or illness remedies. It is a book about some possible ways to maintain a healthy diet. It is a book about the different types of foods and their places in a healthy diet. The book describes a multitude of foods and gives a great deal of information on the history of cultivation, nutritional benefits, and selected methods of preparation for them. It is a general text and not a scholarly work produced for nutritionists or other healthcare professionals. It also has several chapters devoted to explaining healthful diets, nutrients, and the relationship between some types of illnesses and diet. As a layman with a long interest in fitness, exercise and nutrition I found it to be very informative and will be a great help to me in selection what I eat in the future.

I would highly recommend this book as a great source of general information on healthy diets and foods.

Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: I was disappointed upon receiving this book. I purchased it for the purpose of calculating my daily vitamin and mineral intake. However, the book doesn't consistently provide vitamin and mineral contents in standard doses. For example, Vitamin A content is listed in RE instead of IU. You can find the IU content listed in the very back of the book, but, that entails constantly flipping the pages back and forth after each food profile. Also, it is spread out over two pages, so you have to run your finger across two pages to make sure that you are on the same line; ditto with the Folic Acid content. It is indicated by a weird symbol; weird at least for a layman.

What really ticked me off about the book was some of the statements made about organic foods and herbal supplements. Statements, I am confident, are from the Dole Food Company's perspective. Example: The book states that organic foods are not anymore healthful for you than traditionally farmed foods. It is presumed that you cannot trust any source for organic produce; therefore it is just a big waste of your money. They also state that traditionally farmed foods are strictly monitored by the Federal Government and that herbicides, pesticides and insecticides are not only not harmful, but, that they are beneficially to our health by killing dangerous natural toxins. What a colossal joke! It's exactly something that I would expect from a producer of commercially produced produce, laden with harmful chemicals, many of which have wisely been banned by many (smarter) European countries. Nevermind the fact that traditional farming methods are ruining the soil, and in the long run, are not sustainable.

On the issue of herbal supplements, the book states that most herbal remedies have not proven to be of any benefit and are dangerous to boot. This is a supreme lie! Ginger settles my often queasy stomach. I take valerian on Sunday nights to help me unwind from a hectic weekend. Sage greatly eased some minor swelling that I had on my gums.

Scientists are realizing that conventional medications are only a band aid on a wound. They are beginning to seriously research medicinal plants with reputations for healing properties. Ginger, echinacea, garlic, culinary herbs, etc. have not only proven effective, but, have on many occasions, surpassed the results of conventional medicines, without the harmful side effects. The Government has not enforced the same standards of labeling on herbal supplements that it does with conventional medication. This makes it easier for disreputable companies to make wild health claims, such as increase your bra size or cure cancer. I think it goes without saying that anyone thinking about taking herbal medications should consult a healthcare practitioner knowledgeable in this arena and heed the same warnings and advice that you would with conventional medication.

If you just want simple food profiles, this book is acceptable. However, I found "The Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition: How to Buy, Store, and Prepare Every Variety of Fresh Food" far superior.

Rating:
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: I was disappointed upon receiving this book. I purchased it for the purpose of calculating my daily vitamin and mineral intake. However, the book doesn't consistently provide vitamin and mineral contents in standard doses. For example, Vitamin A content is listed in RE instead of IU. You can find the IU content listed in the very back of the book, but, that entails constantly flipping the pages back and forth after each food profile. Also, it is spread out over two pages, so you have to run your finger across two pages to make sure that you are on the same line; ditto with the Folic Acid content. It is indicated by a weird symbol; weird at least for a layman.

What really ticked me off about the book was some of the statements made about organic foods and herbal supplements. Statements, I am confident, are from the Dole Food Company's perspective. Example: The book states that organic foods are not anymore healthful for you than traditionally farmed foods. It is presumed that you cannot trust any source for organic produce; therefore it is just a big waste of your money. They also state that traditionally farmed foods are strictly monitored by the Federal Government and that herbicides, pesticides and insecticides are not only not harmful, but, that they are beneficially to our health by killing dangerous natural toxins. What a colossal joke! It's exactly something that I would expect from a producer of commercially produced produce, laden with harmful chemicals, many of which have wisely been banned by many (smarter) European countries. Nevermind the fact that traditional farming methods are ruining the soil, and in the long run, are not sustainable.

On the issue of herbal supplements, the book states that most herbal remedies have not proven to be of any benefit and are dangerous to boot. This is a supreme lie! Ginger settles my often queasy stomach. I take valerian on Sunday nights to help me unwind from a hectic weekend. Sage greatly eased some minor swelling that I had on my gums.

Scientists are realizing that conventional medications are only a band aid on a wound. They are beginning to seriously research medicinal plants with reputations for healing properties. Ginger, echinacea, garlic, culinary herbs, etc. have not only proven effective, but, have on many occasions, surpassed the results of conventional medicines, without the harmful side effects. The Government has not enforced the same standards of labeling on herbal supplements that it does with conventional medication. This makes it easier for disreputable companies to make wild health claims, such as promising to add three inches to your penis or increase your bra size or cure cancer. I think it goes without saying that anyone thinking about taking herbal medications should consult a healthcare practitioner knowledgeable in this arena and heed the same warnings and advice that you would with conventional medication.

If you just want simple food profiles, this book is acceptable. However, I found "The Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition: How to Buy, Store, and Prepare Every Variety of Fresh Food" far superior.