Member Reviews

"Food Isn't Medicine" by Joshua Wolrich is a refreshing and empowering read that challenges conventional wisdom surrounding diet culture and health. Wolrich, a medical doctor with a passion for nutrition, offers a balanced and evidence-based approach to food and well-being. Through engaging storytelling and accessible language, he dismantles harmful myths about food and weight, encouraging readers to embrace a more compassionate and sustainable relationship with eating. What sets this book apart is Wolrich's emphasis on self-compassion and body positivity, advocating for a shift away from restrictive diets towards intuitive eating and holistic health practices. His message resonates deeply, offering readers the tools they need to navigate the often confusing world of nutrition with confidence and clarity. "Food Isn't Medicine" is a must-read for anyone seeking to break free from the cycle of dieting and cultivate a healthier, happier relationship with food.

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Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

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This should be an essential read! If only I had this when I was at school… We come across every aspect in this book through out our lives. This is what we need education and not what we are consuming online etc.. Which is allowed to be published without being checked throughout and ultimately leading alot of people to believe the idiots who write it!
Thank you Dr. Joshua Wolrich!

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Not your usual 'diet' book, Dr. Wolrich busts many of the diet industries myths and explores how food isn't the answer to the worlds problems. A refreshing read overall to be presented with cold hard facts rather than the usual psuedo science presented in such 'self help' books

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I follow Dr Wolrich on Instagram and his honest open attitude is refreshing and extremely positive. An advocate for people of all sizes and busting the myths on size shape and food relationships. This is one book I will read and have bought to give to friends an insightful choice with their own relationships with food. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

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I was initially put off Food Isn't Medicine by the jokey tone: maybe I'm not the target demographic, but it didnt appeal to me. However, once the author got into the serious matter of exposing false claims and fake diets, I was really intrigued. The book reminded me of 'Bad Science', in the anger the author obviously feels at the fact lives are being put at risk by unscrupulous peddlers of misinformation.

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Many thanks to the author, publishers and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook.
This book will be a revelation to many, a serious annoyance to the Nutritional Charlatans out there, and a source of good quality food related information for others. In short, it's an excellent book if you're looking to lay waste the vast amounts of nutritional related nonsense peddled on social media.
The author writes clearly, and accessibly, (which for a medical Dr is a minor miracle 😂). He speaks from the heart, citing his own experiences of attempting weight loss and of his own earlier misunderstandings about nutrition. He is leading from the front in a campaign to de-stigmatise ob*sity, and to promote being healthy no matter what you weigh. I follow this author on Instagram and know how hard he works with these aims in mind
I highly recommend this book, not to any specific group, it's a good read for anyone, but those who've struggled with their weight, have issues with understanding the facts about nutrition could benefit greatly from it. It's not a weight loss manual, it's not the 'next big diet thing ', but it is an intelligent, comprehensive, supportive de-bunking of all the nutribollocks out there.
Highly recommended 5*

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This is one of those books that everyone should read.

Dr Joshua Wolrich breaks down and debunks inaccurate yet well-publicised ideas on nutrition and health; it's an eye-opening insight into an incredibly flawed industry.

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I've followed Dr Wolrich's Instagram page for quite a while now as it's a different narrative to the mainstream often regarding body positivity, diet and his "no mess" attitude to "nutriboll*cks" spread online and in the media. I was interested in seeing how he related this all down in book form and to read the counter argument challenging some of the nutritional therapy books I've recently read.
It's an incredibly sensitive topic, it feels like there will always be this divide between medical practice and alternative nutritional therapy (who believe food, supplements and other practices influence our health at a cellular metabolic level and often blames "big pharma" for drugging people rather than promoting food as medicine) and especially considering people who are desperately needing some help with conditions such as cancer and diabetes who feel incredibly vulnerable and desperate to try anything that may help. The arguments and supposed research for all sides is compelling and it's difficult to accept that so many people can be wrong, on both sides, so perhaps there is nuances in the middle ground where both can and should play a part in helping people stay healthy and prevent serious disease, if possible?
This certainly isn't a book that denies that what we eat can benefit us, quite the opposite; it does discuss how we need to increase vegetables, fibre, lean protein, reduce sugar and processed food etc, but more in an intuitive way that denies and restricts nothing but strives for a balance that doesn't involve shame, guilt or "orthorexia" (where people become obsessed with avoiding certain food types/groups and see food as "good" or "bad"). The propensity for fad diets and the fact that there's always a new one popping up probably suggests there's some weight to the argument for ditching restrictive diets altogether and finding a better way of health promotion & to reduce disordered eating.
It's certainly a very interesting read and well referenced, with some funny anecdotes that keep it relatable and not preachy.

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When I came across this book, I was hoping for a quick easy fix to the emotional eating habits I tend to fall back on. You know, read the book and be instantly cured etc.
Well “Food isn’t medicine” isn’t that of course but it’s a lot more Instead.
Both the tone and main theme of the book are represented well by the opening chapter . In it, we learn about how a difference of opinion on whether food is medicine leads to Justin Bieber telling the author to f*ck off on social media.
There are also amusing moments throughout the following chapters. Favourite moment: The Great Beyonce Apple Fail.

The fact that the author draws on his personal experience with disordered eating meant the book was relatable and engaging rather than yet another doctor wagging their finger and giving us a shaming lecture.

The book concentrates on enlightening the reader about the fallacies in the “nutrib*llocks” nutrition fake news we are often fed by the media and those in the diet industry.
The book is informative and thought provoking. At certain points, I found the medical terminology and wealth of research was a little overwhelming but overall it’s easily accessible to someone with no prior knowledge and will be great to refer back to later.

I finished reading “Food isn’t medicine” feeling upbeat about what I could achieve on a personal level.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and Penguin Random House UK for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest opinion .

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