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The Gluten Lie: And Other Myths About What You Eat Hardcover – April 21, 2015

by Alan Levinovitz (Author)

4.0 295 ratings

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An incendiary work of science journalism debunking the myths that dominate the American diet and showing readers how to stop feeling guilty and start loving their food again—sure to ignite controversy over our obsession with what it means to eat right.

FREE YOURSELF FROM ANXIETY ABOUT WHAT YOU EAT

Gluten. Salt. Sugar. Fat. These are the villains of the American diet—or so a host of doctors and nutritionists would have you believe. But the science is far from settled and we are racing to eliminate wheat and corn syrup from our diets because we’ve been lied to. The truth is that almost all of us can put the buns back on our burgers and be just fine.

Remember when butter was the enemy? Now it’s good for you. You may have lived through times when the Atkins Diet was good, then bad, then good again; you may have wondered why all your friends cut down on salt or went Paleo; and you might even be thinking about cutting out wheat products from your own diet.

For readers suffering from dietary whiplash, The Gluten Lie is the answer. Scientists and physicians know shockingly little about proper nutrition that they didn’t know a thousand years ago, even though Americans spend billions of dollars and countless hours obsessing over “eating right.”

In this groundbreaking work, Alan Levinovitz takes on bestselling physicians and dietitians, exposing the myths behind how we come to believe which foods are good and which are bad—and pointing the way to a truly healthful life, free from anxiety about what we eat.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A factually accurate and highly entertaining work. It provides an effective counter to the fearmongering and false promises purveyed by sensationalists masquerading as scientists. This book should be essential reading for anyone who contemplates following a restrictive diet and for all health practitioners who use diets as the central platform of their therapeutic approach.” -- Peter Gibson, MD, Director of Gastroenterology at the Alfred Hospital and Monash University

“In the world of food fears, this is a landmark book. Levinovitz brings science back into the picture in an eye-opening, punchy, and entertaining way that will change many of the single-sided conversations about food. The Gluten Liewill put a lot of minds at ease, and bring a lot of balance back into diets.” -- Brian Wansink, PhD, author of ― Slim by Design and Mindless Eating

“Levinovitz shows us how to stop being afraid of food. Everyone truly interested in nutrition should read this book and get back to the joy of eating.” -- Philip Zeitler, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine

“The cure for Dr. Oz-itis and Oprah syndrome. Well researched, easy to read, and incredibly informative.” -- Jen Gunter, MD, author of ― The Preemie Primer

“Stop poisoning your friends and family—with junk science nutritional claims. Feed them The Gluten Lieinstead and enjoy lunch again." -- Hank Campbell, founder of Science 2.0 and co-author of ― Science Left Behind

“With a thorough and incisive investigation into what science really tells us about gluten, fat, sugar, and detox, Levinovitz argues persuasively that we can stop worrying about what we ‘should’ eat and concentrate on enjoying food that appeals to our palate. Well-written, entertaining, solidly referenced, and perhaps the best debunking of popular diet myths ever.” -- Harriet Hall, MD, Associate Editor, ― Science Based Medicine

“A fun and evidence-based inoculation of clarity into an area permeated with confusion and controversy. It is a must-read for anyone fed up with all the noise surrounding nutritional advice.” -- Tim Caulfield, Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta, and author of ― The Cure for Everything

“A fascinating read. Professor Levinovitz uses the saga of gluten sensitivity as one of several compelling object lessons.” -- Nortin M. Hadler, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine & Microbiology/Immunology UNC, Chapel Hill and author of ― The Last Well Person and Worried Sick

About the Author

Alan Levinovitz is an assistant professor at James Madison University. His writing has appeared in Slate, Salon, Wired, The Believer, and The Millions, as well as academic journals. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with his wife, his daughter, and a cat. Fake cheese is his one food taboo.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Regan Arts.; 1st edition (April 21, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1941393063
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1941393062
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #452,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #573 in Gluten Free Recipes
- #2,069 in Weight Loss Diets (Books)
- #3,288 in Other Diet Books

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4.0 295 ratings

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Alan Levinovitz

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Alan Levinovitz is an associate professor of religion at James Madison University. He received his BA in philosophy and religion from Stanford University, and his PhD in Religion and Literature from the University of Chicago.

The focus of his academic research is classical Chinese thought and the intersection of religion and literature. In addition, he writes journalism that explores the relationship between religion, philosophy, science and medicine. His work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Vox, Slate, Wired, Aeon, The LA Review of Books, The Believer, The Millions, and other outlets.

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-researched and thought-provoking. They appreciate its clear explanations of diet myths and misunderstandings. Readers describe it as an interesting read that offers health benefits.

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33 customers mention "Enlightenedness"30 positive3 negative

Customers find the book well-researched and thought-provoking. It debunks myths and magical thinking about diet. Readers appreciate the author's careful reasoning and unique perspective on the topic.

"...However, I loved it and plan to reread it. The author is clearly brilliant, and is a master of critical thinking...." Read more

"...The book is well researched (big "notes" section in the back) and, as I mentioned, easy to read. It's almost recreational reading...." Read more

"...Powerfully and effectively written, the author lays out the uncertainties in what science & medicine really do and don't know, and how those..." Read more

"...This was a really unique take on the topic, and I've recommended it to all of the women I work with around eating disorder recovery, but I think..." Read more

20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging. They say it's a good read, especially the first six chapters.

"...As I have said already, it is one of the best books I have ever read on the topic. Carol Fay" Read more

"...It's an interesting read and he can be downright funny, at times, when he is in full snark mode about nutrition authors he thinks are wrong or..." Read more

"...disorder recovery, but I think that this is an important, important read for anyone who has ever gone on a diet or followed a certain way of eating..." Read more

"...This is a great book for those who want a more nuanced look into why we believe what we believe about food and diet." Read more

3 customers mention "Health benefits"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides useful information on health. They mention that eating in moderation and exercising are good for them.

"...I think the book is one of the best I have ever read on health...." Read more

"...is that any food is OK to eat "in moderation" and exercise is good for you. Sound familiar? Eat less, exercise more...." Read more

"...on my obsession with food and food articles and ingredients and health benefits and so on and so on...." Read more

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Carol Fay
FABULOUS BOOK
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
As a life long “health nut” I read this book with some caution. I have devoured books on health since I was 10 years old and got Gaylor Hauser’s latest book for my birthday. He was the nutrition guru to the stars in about 1951 and I have followed his yogurt and wheat germ for breakfast recommendation ever since then.

However, in the 1970’s I was an assistant DA in San Francisco, and handled a big Laetrile case that lasted 10 years. I even wound up testifying in Washington DC about the subject. And through that I learned that belief in a “cure” –the placebo effect – is very, very powerful.

I also learned, among other things, that a “new cure” taken two weeks after a valid treatment (such as chemotherapy) can be wrongfully thought to have caused a recovery which was actually due to the chemotherapy. “Cause” is not always clear cut.

Over the years I have probably read well over 300 books on health, and I subscribe to at least 10 doctors’ health newsletters and several health magazines. I have taken scores of vitamins every day my entire life.

Thus, I approached this book with extreme caution.

However, I loved it and plan to reread it. The author is clearly brilliant, and is a master of critical thinking. He points out the deception caused when certain “studies” or even just aspects of studies, are relied upon by someone claiming health benefits or detriments for a food product, and other studies are omitted.

He points out, repeatedly, the tricks played upon us to deceive us into thinking that an approach to health has been proven, when it has not been.

Dr Levinovitz stresses the power of myth, or as I think of it, the placebo effect –belief. He notes the complexity of the human body and the difficulty of establishing cause and effect when we analyze just one aspect of a situation and ignore a multitude of others.

I think the book is one of the best I have ever read on health. The last two chapters, setting forth his “diet” and then giving us that “diet” with notes letting us see how we are being misled by the claims set forth in it, are the best. If I read nothing else of the book, I would read and re read those two chapters.

This book will not deter me from reading an endless plethora more of books on health, nutrition, and vitamins, but it will help me to analyze them even better, much better, than I have in the past. As I have said already, it is one of the best books I have ever read on the topic.

Carol Fay

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Ken Montville
Eat What You Like....Just Not All At Once
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2015
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I liked this guy's style of writing. Easy to understand and a quick read. The book should have been titled "Permission to Gorge: Eat What You Want". To be fair, he does say that if you have celiac disease or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)you should stay away from gluten. However, that population is pretty small and there's no evidence gluten does harm to "just regular folks" like you and me.

He also goes into a lot of debunking of other nutrition "myths" - things that are supposed to be bad for us but really aren't - like sugar, saturated fat and salt. He spends a lot of time in each area explaining how these "killers" were once thought to be something avoided at all costs but really arent't that bad for you.

It's an interesting read and he can be downright funny, at times, when he is in full snark mode about nutrition authors he thinks are wrong or outright quacks and snake oil salesmen.

The bottom line with this book is that any food is OK to eat "in moderation" and exercise is good for you. Sound familiar? Eat less, exercise more. Simple stuff.

Even when he's praising science/nutrition writers like [author:Gary Taubes|712666] (who, by the way, is a big time low carb-high protein advocate) and his book [book:Good Calories, Bad Calories: Fats, Carbs, and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health|11370670] he says that having an occasional doughnut is not the end of the world.

The book is well researched (big "notes" section in the back) and, as I mentioned, easy to read. It's almost recreational reading.

The thing to remember is that this guy is not a nutrition scientist, either. That PhD after his name is for religious studies.

But, if you're like me, and get a little crazy with each new food fad that comes along whether it's Paleo or low fat or gluten free, this is the book to read.

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Charles D. Payet, DDS
Absolutely Phenomenal
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2015
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As a dentist with a skeptical attitude towards fads and a firm belief in the benefits of modern science over ancient ignorance, as well as a person who appreciates a good dose of sarcastic wit and biting sarcasm directed at those who deserve it - I absolutely loved this book. I will be recommending it to a lot of people whose lives have become obsessed with trying to find the perfect diet, all while losing all pleasure in the simple enjoyment of food.

Do I care that the author has no background in nutrition? You bet! In fact, I think it's wonderful, because he looks at food and out beliefs about food from a very different perspective - the historical and theological one. After all, the claims of so many food myths, both ancient and modern, frequently take on religious fervor in the supposedly miraculous abilities of foods to either make us sick or healthy. Throughout history, religious prohibitions and requirements have played powerful roles in establishing authority and identity of one group over and/or against others, and we see similar identity and authority (and anti-authority) roles being played out in the "food wars" of today.

Powerfully and effectively written, the author lays out the uncertainties in what science & medicine really do and don't know, and how those uncertainties are preyed upon and exploited by those with an agenda, putting their followers at greater risk of health issues than they would have ever faced if they'd just accept the real mantra of "moderation in all things and enjoy what you eat."

Highly recommended.

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Kit
" He proposes that keywords like "good, " "bad
Reviewed in Canada on June 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Scholarly and very readable. Levinovitz spends an entire book showing how diet culture is based on tentative studies that may or may not be reliable, and closes by making up his own fix-all food/diet fad as an example. He draws a fascinating comparison between religious fervour and the North American obsession with "clean eating." He proposes that keywords like "good," "bad," or even "sinful" and "clean" applied to food indicate a relationship between dichotomous religious thinking and diet culture. Well worth a read.

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M. G. Goodson
A truly admirable book; everyone who has ever succumbed ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 5, 2015
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A truly admirable book; everyone who has ever succumbed to the lies and semi-truths of those who peddle pseudo-science in a bid to part you from your hard-earned cash should be encouraged to read this. Not because it posits self-evident truths but because Levinovitz is not a 'scientist' per se, he is a biblical scholar, but he uses the scientific method to debunk a host of dietary myths, mostly of US origin but 'imported' throughout the English-speaking world. The last chapters are a killer!

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Daniel Staeger
ausschweifend auf andere Themen, aber trotzdem interessante Ansichten
Reviewed in Germany on June 16, 2015
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Der reisserische Titel verspricht mehr als das Buch zu halten vermag. Leider viel zu viele Ausflüge zu Zucker, Fettkonsum und anderen Hypes.
Eine gut gemeinte Aufforderung kritisch zu bleiben.
Dieses Buch DARF in der Sammlung eines Ernährungsberaters fehlen.

Englisch einfach geschrieben und auch für Anfänger sicher gut zu lesen.

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Robin Lyons
A please-must-read book for everyone
Reviewed in Australia on June 19, 2016
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I loved this book and the author's debunking of every food myth. How reassuring it should be for those tied up in knots about food choices. And for those too, who have been scared out of their wits by 'experts' publishing inane books about sugar causing cancer etc (and making a financial killing in the process).

I have a good friend who has CD and I recommended this book to her so she could read the history of the disease. This information isn't readily available.

After the introductory chapter about MSG I laughed when I noticed that a packet of corn chips I had in the cupboard was emblazoned with a banner on the front reading; NO ADDED MSG. It's still happening all these years later!

Please re-read the end...that's for the reviewers who only read the first section of the UNpacked Diet and who then didn't keep going to realise that this was satire and was subsequently thoroughly debunked by its author using the same methods he used in the other chapters. (!)

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Mark C. Boyle
A real eye opener - it's surprising how little we know.
Reviewed in Canada on May 23, 2015
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I really enjoyed this book. It was very interesting to see how our beliefs about food are very similar to religious beliefs. Despite the fact that the level of evidence is about the same, we consider it to be science when it comes to food but faith with religion. Even the terms used (good vs bad food, sinful treat etc.) are often based in religion.

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