Food for Life: The New Science of Eating Well by the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author

Top information.Food for Life includes all the information in Tim Spector’s previous nutrition books.In addition his expert nutrition knowledge is in perspective with facts of the Dimbleby Report, or the book Ravenous by Henry Dimbleby.Scientific information in an understandable format that I found was a pleasing read.

Excellent book, great information about the correct food for your daily health.

UK government website of as recent as 2021 has published recommendations that everyone in the UK should be taking 400 international units of Vitamin D daily as we simply can't make enough of this vital substance (ie are Vitamin D deficient) between Oct and March in this part of the world. Unless, of course you can afford to sun yourself in warmer climates during Winter holidays, which most of us can't... Everyone I know who takes Vitamin D in the Winter has noticed a reduction in common infections. Anecdotal data, I know, but consistent nonetheless.Not sure why Tim is so against this vital supplement, in spite of his earlier disappointments. Seasonal Vitamin D supplementation is not an optional indulgence in the northern hemisphere and not everyone can afford the sunkissed mushrooms only sold in luxury supermarkets... Also not convinced in the reliability of the self-selected Zoe app participants data. Sounds inclusive and democratic on the surface, but lots of variables seem tricky to control for, such as the socioeconomic background, availability of time and technology. I tried filling it in during the first COVID months but simply didn't have the time to carry on. That's telling me that a busy clinician like me might be self-selected out...Otherwise, lots of useful info as expected, really worth a read. I particularly value the stance on ultra processed foods and not pushing any extreme diets.

I was lucky enough to see Dr Tim Spector presenting to a scientific audience many years ago. That talk opened my eyes to the significance and complexity of the human microbiome and permanently changed my perspective on food. There is a lot of snake oil being sold in the food industry. As a scientist and epidemiologist dedicated to the objective study of nutrition and the microbiome, Tim Spector is well-placed to debunk many of the myths and fantasies we are all spoon-fed by commercially interested parties.In ‘Food for Life’ he aims to think about the science behind food not only in relation to our own individual health, but also societal and environmental health (Henry Dimbleby’s outstanding ‘Ravenous’ provides a complimentary read in this same area). I found ‘Food for Life’ a hugely compelling read. It comes across as a bit of a heavyweight tome at first, but most chapters have an easily digestible short summary of bulleted key points at the end. On Audible it comes in over 16 and a half hours and heavy hardback at over 500 pages ... I know because I loved it so much I bought it twice! This is going to have a permanent place as a reference point in my kitchen. Essential reading for anyone at all interested in evidence-based decision-making when it comes to making choices about their food choices. Brilliant.

I bought this for someone else and we browsed it together. It appealed to my friends inquiring minds as it is well researched and evidence based. Hopefully it will prove to be a useful and effective book.

I learned a lot about the microbiome and what to eat from ‘The diet myth’ by this author, but less from this one, which doesn’t quite make up its mind if it wants to be read through or used for reference. The last three quarters of it deals singly with individual foods, a mixture of factual background to them and health advice. I read it through, very slowly, a page or so each day, and will keep it for occasional reference. The writing style is mostly good, occasionally less than clear.

With 1350 positive reviews, it seem redundant to write another so, apart from recommending it highly her are a few brief observations:1. The chapter summaries at the end of each chapter are very useful2. At the back of the book, pages 422-448, there are some tables which are extremely useful.3. Apart from stressing the need to eat for good healthy, it points strongly to good gut food.4. It points out that the immune system cannot be boosted but it should be supported and maintained.5. Page 25 has an interesting section on essential Vitamin D - natural sunshine is much better than supplements and, in Winter, egg yolks, oily fish, sunbathed mushrooms (shiitake and button) and fortified foods are good sources.not enthusiastic about supplements (which many doctors recommend).6. It will open, eyes on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) - industrial formulations manufactured from substances derived from organic sources. They contain little or no whole foods, which Spector recommends.7. Little or no evidence suggesting eating quality meat in moderation is a health risk but that processed meat products are definitely bad for health.8. Meat alternatives and lab-grown meats are part of our future.9. Eggs are a great source of protein; a good egg sinks, a bad egg floats.9. Half the fish we buy is fake.10. Regular processed meat consumption is associated with increased heart disease and probably cancer.Be prepared to be educated, informed and change your eating habits ... an probably live a longer, healthier life.

Very good but geared too much towards the authors emphasis on blood glucose spikes and gut flora rather than weight and cardiovascular health. Also a lot is not practical for those on a low income.