cover image What the Fork Are You Eating? An Action Plan for Your Pantry and Plate

What the Fork Are You Eating? An Action Plan for Your Pantry and Plate

Stefanie Sacks. Tarcher/Penguin, $16.95 trade paper (400p) ISBN 978-0-399-16796-6

Culinary nutritionist Sacks smartly chooses to begin this guide to better eating with a summation of U.S. food regulations. She thereby encourages readers to listen with a sympathetic ear, rather than reacting to the revelations about the ingredients in what they eat with rage and terror. After claiming that the FDA takes a rather lax attitude toward additives, the book moves on to exploring what’s hidden in the nebulous categories of “natural flavors” and “artificial colors.” Readers may find their anxiety levels dialing up as Sacks marches through trans fats, pesticides, and the hormones given to livestock, as well as the epically thorny conundrum of how to define “organic” meat and fish. Whenever Sacks identifies an additive-laden food, however, she also manages to come up with an alternative, ranging from the expected granola to healthy fish tacos and baked buffalo wings (to help ease into the transition from unhealthy to healthy diets). She also offers tips on everything from shopping for groceries to dealing with picky eaters at home. This all adds up to an approachable, sensible guide that delivers on its promise of helping readers make healthier choices without breaking the bank or alienating family members. Agent: Lauren Galit, LKG Agency. (Jan.)