How to Be a Conscious Eater

Is organic really worth it? Are eggs OK to eat? What does it mean if something’s labeled “Fair Trade,” or “Biodynamic,” or “Cage Free”? What about all the noise around farmed fish, fake meat, coconut oil, almonds – not to mention fat, carbs, and calories?

Using three criteria – is it good for me? is it good for others? is it good for the planet? – Sophie Egan, an expert in health, nutrition, and sustainability, revolutionises our understanding of food in a way that will change the way we shop, cook, and eat. To be a conscious eater is not about diet, fads, or hard and fast rules. It’s about having the information to make informed choices amid the chaos of hype and marketing. For instance, plastic water bottles are convenient but contribute to a massive patch of garbage floating in the Pacific. A reusable container saves money and the environment. Organised into four categories – food produced by plants, by animals, by factories, by restaurant kitchens – How to be a Conscious Eater covers everything: tips for buying produce, diet and cancer risks, the truth of sell-by dates, cutting down on food waste, the great protein myth, and much more.

“"The clearest, most useful food book I own. Thank you, Sophie, from my stomach, farm animals everywhere, and my great-great-grandchildren." --A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author”

“…smart and sensible approach to eating consciously…” —Michael Pollan, New York Times bestselling author 

"If you’ve ever stalled out in the refrigerated aisle debating the environmental merits of oat vs. almond milk, add this book to your bedside table. Sophie Egan provides clear, non-judgmental information... It’s a practical guide that empowers readers to understand the plethora of labels and claims out there and make informed food choices every time you go to the store." —Bon Appetit.com 

“The clearest, most useful food book I own. Thank you, Sophie, from my stomach, farm animals everywhere, and my great-great-grandchildren.”
—A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author

“Thought-provoking… Egan displays a talent for making the environmental complexities of food choices comprehensible… [A] thorough primer to combining health consciousness and environmental responsibility.” – Publishers Weekly starred review 

“Egan (Devoured: How We Eat Defines Who We Are) presents a voice of reason in the cacophony of advice about food and diet that surrounds us…Recommended for everyone who eats, particularly those who hope to improve their own health and the planet’s by doing so.”—Library Journal starred review

“Readers will find much to take away, including reminders that our consumer behavior can drive change and that what's good for us and good for the planet often align.”—Booklist

Sophie Egan is the Director of Health and Sustainability Leadership for the Strategic Initiatives Group at The Culinary Institute of America, as well as the Editorial Director. She contributes regularly to The New York Times' Well blog and has written for The Wall Street Journal, TIME, The Washington Post, Mic, Bon Appétit, WIRED, and The Kitchn. Egan is the author of Devoured: How What We Eat Defines Who We Are. She holds a master of public health from the University of California, Berkeley, with a focus on health and social behaviour. She lives in San Francisco, CA.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.