A Healthy Dose of Skepticism: My Take on 'Food for Joy'

Hey there, fellow reader!

I'll be honest, I'm a bit worried about reading books these days. Sometimes I'm surprised by the misinformation or questionable claims that make it into print.

Recently, I read Elena Mottova's book 'Food for Joy' in its e-book version, and I'm excited to share my thoughts with you. The reason I went for the e-book is that I wasn't sure if the book was worth the investment.

Food for Joy. Notes of a Dietitian. Mottova ElenaI was pleasantly surprised by how easy the book is to read. It's not too long, and the language is straightforward – no complicated medical or scientific jargon here. The author draws on various scientific studies and surveys to make her points, which adds to the book's credibility. The main idea is that food should be a source of joy, not just a necessary part of life. It's not a new idea, but the author tries to prove it with her own experiences and examples.Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of nutrition, and the author either debunks or supports the claims with research and scientific findings. It's a great way to engage with the reader and spark a debate.

Food for Joy. Notes of a Dietitian. Mottova ElenaThe author is a dietitian and a blogger who's passionate about sharing her knowledge with others. While books about finding a partner through dating sites are no longer relevant, this book is a great resource for anyone looking to improve their relationship with food. As the author says, it's not just about what you eat, but also how you prepare and store your food.The book's format is user-friendly, with each chapter focusing on a specific aspect of nutrition. It's a great starting point for anyone looking to learn more about healthy eating and food choices.

A Foodie's Delight. A Dietitian's Notes. Elena MotovaI was expecting a book that dives into the unique eating habits of Russians, but what I got was a bunch of stats about what people in other countries eat. I mean, if I wanted to know about food in other countries, I'd read a book on Italian cuisine or watch Jamie Oliver's cooking show. I wanted to learn about Russian food, not a comparison of what we eat versus what they eat in Britain, Denmark, or Brazil.There's even a section on RPPThe only thing the author mentions about Russia is that we're eating wrong and cites some depressing stats about how most Russians are missing out on essential nutrients and barely eat any fruits and veggies. That's it. No real insights into Russian eating habits.A Study on Russian NutritionAlmost half the book is filled with foreign research studies. I get that research is cool, but I'd rather see some Russian studies that take into account our unique culture and eating habits. The author seems to be pushing a certain theory, but it's not really explored or analyzed. It's just a bunch of studies that seem to contradict each other, and I'm left wondering what the point of it all is.Okay, I guess it's still interesting to learn something new from the world of science, but the problem is that these studies often have diametrically opposed conclusions, and it's hard to make sense of it all. It feels like the goal of these studies is just to prove the author's theory.

Choosing the Right Cut of MeatFor instance, Elena's not a fan of taking vitamin D, and she cites a study that shows it's not effective in preventing chronic diseases. But that's a no-brainer, because vitamin D has nothing to do with preventing those diseases in the first place.About Vitamin DVitamin D actually works in a different way - it's about supporting thyroid function, preventing autoimmune diseases, maintaining bone density, and so on. I could dig up some studies online that back up these facts right now.Determining the Nutritional Value of GrainsElena also cites a study that shows omega-3 supplements aren't effective in lowering cholesterol levels. I took omega-3 during pregnancy on my doctor's recommendation, and I wasn't trying to lower my cholesterol. It seems weird to me that this study found that omega-3 supplements don't work. On the other hand, omega-3 is a great source of essential fatty acids, especially if you don't eat a lot of fish or don't like it. But since Elena's all about eating a lot of fish, omega-3 isn't really necessary for her. However, not everyone can afford to buy salmon and lobster every week.Elena also rips into people who follow different diets - paleo, keto, and gluten-free. These diets are primarily therapeutic, and I'm not sure why she spends so much time talking about them.

Food for Joy. The Diary of a Dietitian. Motova ElenaIf we look at food through the lens of these studies, it's going to be really hard to choose what to eat. And that's because many of these studies aren't objective or independent enough. That's why you'll find phrases like this in the book.Food for Joy. The Diary of a Dietitian. Motova ElenaSo, what's the book about? Elena calls it Food for Joy. I didn't really feel any joy while reading it. Instead, I'd recommend calling it the notes of a dietitian who's a bit of a perfectionist. Because everything she could have said in a few chapters is spread out over many, many pages.There are a few main points in the book, and I'll summarize them below:

I've been trying out this new diet, and I have to say, it's been a wild ride. The author's got some pretty strong opinions about what you should and shouldn't be eating.

They say food should be diverse and delicious, which I'm all for. But then they go on to say you should cut out all processed foods, including fast food, sausages, sugary yogurts, baked goods, and the like. That's a pretty tough ask, if you ask me.They also claim that you should only eat food that's good for your body, which sounds great, but it's a pretty vague statement. I mean, what even counts as 'good' food?The author's also against following trendy diets, saying they're not backed up by science. Fair enough, I suppose.But then they go on to say that you can get all the nutrients you need from food, and that supplements are a waste of time. That's a pretty bold claim, especially when you consider that some people might need extra help getting the nutrients they need.They also insist that you should include a list of specific foods in your diet, regardless of whether you like them or not. I'm not sure I agree with that - I mean, if you don't like something, it's hard to make it a regular part of your diet.Apparently, the key to making veggies taste good is to cook them right. Who knew?I've got to say, some of the author's claims are a bit contradictory. On the one hand, they say food should be diverse and delicious, but on the other hand, they're telling you to cut out whole groups of foods - like red meat, bread, and juices.

They also claim to be a proponent of the Mediterranean diet, but then they go on to say that other diets are 'wrong' in their opinion. That's a pretty narrow-minded view, if you ask me.And then there's the issue of red meat. The author says you should cut it out of your diet, but I'm not sure I agree with that. I mean, what about a nice steak every now and then? Or a hearty beef stew on a cold winter's night?Take the issue of whole grain cereals, for example. The author says you should eat them, but what about the ones that are high in calories and sugar? Those don't sound like a great choice to me, especially if you're trying to manage your blood sugar levels.

And then there's the issue of iron deficiency. The author says you shouldn't take supplements, but what about people who are actually anemic? Don't they need a little help getting the iron they need?Finally, there's the issue of processed foods. The author says you should cut them out of your diet, but what about things like yogurt, cheese, and milk? Those are all processed foods, but they're also pretty healthy, if you ask me.I've also got to say, some of the author's claims about food prices are a bit off the mark. I mean, have you seen the prices of fish lately? It's crazy! And it's not like it's always fresh and delicious, either. Sometimes it's just a sad, soggy piece of fish that's been sitting in the fridge for days.

I've gotta say, the author's enthusiasm for legumes is pretty infectious. They're always talking about the benefits of bobs, and it's clear they're passionate about 'em. But let's be real, cooking legumes isn't exactly a quick process, and I'm not sure the average Russian would be down to have a chickpea soup for dinner every night. I mean, it's not like they're gonna be satisfied with just a bowl of soup, you know? And not everyone can afford to eat legumes, they're pretty dense and hard to digest. Plus, for people with digestive issues, they can be a real problem.

Midway through the book, we're told that palm oil is good for us. But then we're also told to cook with rapeseed oil, which was used as a technical oil back in the day. And of course, there's a whole section on the benefits of olive oil, like it's just growing on trees or something. I'm pretty sure the author's not aware that linseed oil is actually native to Russia, or that most Russians use sunflower oil. There's not a word about corn oil or other less popular types of oil. But hey, there's a whole chapter on the benefits of rapeseed oil.

Example of a balanced mealAs for eating a ton of veggies and fruits, I've got some questions. First off, the author must have a lot of free time to cook up all these fancy veggie dishes, because their recipes are pretty original. And secondly, eating veggies and fruits out of season is just not the same as eating them in season. And let's be real, not everyone can afford to buy frozen and fresh veggies and fruits out of season. I mean, take the salad Niçoise the author makes in the winter, it's a pretty pricey dish. And the selection of veggies and fruits in the winter is just not that great.

But the biggest thing that's bugging me is the lack of research on the safety of these veggies. I mean, how many nitrates and pesticide residues are they really safe to eat? The book doesn't even touch on that. It's like the author is just assuming they're safe, without doing any actual research.

The author also recommends eating a ton of veggies, fruits, nuts, and seeds, like, as much as you can fit in. First off, 700-800 grams a day is just way too much for me, even as a big veggie fan. That's like, a whole lot of fiber, and I'm not sure I need that much. And secondly, why do I need all that fiber when my body is made up of protein, right?

Throughout the book, Motova keeps saying that healthy eating is the key to preventing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. But I'm not convinced. I mean, you can't just say that eating healthy is the cause of these diseases without actually proving it. And even if you do eat healthy, it's not like you're immune to these diseases. You can still get them, even if you're eating a balanced diet.

I've got to say, Winston Churchill's daily habits were pretty wild. He'd smoke a bunch of cigars, eat a ton of food, and drink several rounds of drinks. And get this - he'd often eat in bed, and even have ministers come to visit him there. I'm not saying he was lazy, but he definitely had a sedentary lifestyle. And yet, he lived a pretty long life. I'm sure we all know someone who's got similar bad habits, but still manages to stay healthy.

I've got to say, I was pretty disappointed with the section on how food can cover all your vitamin and mineral needs. Elena cites some American studies, but even those don't necessarily back up her claims. I mean, it's true that you can overdose on anything, including herbal remedies, if you're not careful. And let's be real, we've all seen those 'miracle cures' that are sold in stores without any warnings about side effects.

But even my own experience tells me that food can't give you everything you need. Take iron, magnesium, and calcium - those are the big three that are essential for normal body function and good health. And you can't just get them from food. You need a special diet with a wide variety of foods to get enough. I mean, to get 30 grams of iron, I'd need to eat 100-150 grams of liver every day. And to get my daily dose of magnesium, I'd need to eat 90-100 grams of pumpkin seeds or 200 grams of chocolate. Yeah, good luck with that.

And don't even get me started on how hard it is to make veggies taste good. I mean, they're just not as tasty as fruits, and to make them palatable, you need to put in some serious cooking time and effort. And let's be real, cooking a salad is way harder than just grilling some meat.

Some of Elena's arguments are just plain ridiculous. Like, she's a big fan of the Mediterranean diet, which is all about eating small amounts of wine for health benefits. And yeah, that makes sense, because in the Mediterranean, wine is basically a national drink.

Mediterranean DietOne of the key principles of the Mediterranean diet is that a little bit of wine is good for you. And yeah, that's pretty easy to understand, given that wine is such a big part of Mediterranean culture.

Food for Joy. The Diary of a Dietitian. Motova ElenaSo, Elena starts off by saying that if you want to, you can drink, but honestly, you can probably get by without it. But then she does a complete flip in the next chapter and writes that regular alcohol consumption is bad for your health and increases the risk of chronic diseases.The Dangers of AlcoholOr take this excerpt from the chapter about how you should store tomatoes at room temperature. It's just genius, so I'll quote it:Delicate fruits and vegetables get damaged by cold temperatures and lose their flavor when refrigerated. Store all climacteric fruits at room temperature: avocados, bananas, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, and tomatoes. If you really need to, you can put overripe bananas or avocados in the fridge for an extra day.

Ah, now I'm going to build a tomato house so they can live it up while I'm eating them. I feel bad for them in the fridge, they'll freeze and won't ripen. No, the idea of ripening tomatoes is a good one, but in today's world, when out-of-season tomatoes have no flavor, it just seems like a joke. Good tomatoes like cherry tomatoes already have flavor, and Turkish tomatoes will never have any. The only thing you can achieve by storing tomatoes on the kitchen counter is that they'll spoil faster and attract a bunch of cockroaches to the kitchen.

Tomatoes are Better Stored in WarmthElena also tries to show off her cooking skills and tells us how to cook vegetables to make them taste good. I, for example, eat raw onions, but the author insists that you need to cook them. It doesn't matter that if you cook them in oil, they'll become way more calorie-dense, and I'm not even getting into the fact that cooking isn't the most diet-friendly way to prepare food. But our 'dietitian' conveniently forgets about that. Instead, she gives a detailed guide on how to cook onions, like she's sharing a secret cooking technique.Vegetables need to be cooked right: that's the only way they'll taste good. Not many people enjoy eating raw onions, and the idea of eating boiled ones is just disgusting. Tushenaya kapusta and overcooked carrots are in the same category. Let me tell you how to do it.

Some veggies are best raw (try young zucchinis), while others like broccoli and pumpkin are better off with a quick steam or light pan-frying to keep them crunchy. If you want a vibrant color and flavor in your borscht, it's best to roast the beets in the oven wrapped in foil. The flavor of properly caramelized onions is rich and sweet, with a deep caramel flavor. To get this, you need to cook them low and slow in oil, seasoning with salt at the beginning to release moisture, and then keeping an eye on the heat to ensure even cooking.

And here's the 'secret' that any halfway decent cook knows:

Another option is making fish patties or meatballs. If you're using lean fish, be sure to add a bit of butter to the mix. This simple trick of adding a teaspoon of sugar per pound of fish will elevate the flavor of your patties.

Personally, I think recommending a Mediterranean diet in a northern country is like suggesting someone in Africa buy a snowmobile. In Russia, people love their meat, and the availability and quality of fish just aren't the same. Of course, if you live on Capri or the south of France, buying fresh fish that's been caught just hours before is a great idea, as it's a natural part of the local cuisine and culinary tradition. So, this diet should be approached with a consideration of national cuisines and food preferences.

I also disagree with the dietician's claim that dairy products can be consumed without issue. Maybe, if everyone had a healthy gut, but what about people who get bloated and have digestive issues from dairy? Then we're told to drink low-lactose milk and low-lactose dairy products. What about people with lactose intolerance? And, in principle, the dairy products on supermarket shelves are the result of industrial processing, which we're advised to minimize or avoid altogether. Yogurt that can be stored for a month in the fridge, milk with a two-month shelf life, and so on.

Here, the author writes that there's no lactose in cheese and yogurt, but that's not true - there's still a small amount of lactose presentLet's not forget that milk is a complex product, unique in its composition. In its pure form, it's difficult to digest, as it contains all three types of nutrients - protein, fat, and carbohydrates (lactose). All gastroenterologists advise people over 40 to limit their milk intake and consume more fermented dairy products, which, as we know, are natural probiotics.

Here's the lowdown on trans fats in food - but let's be real, it's a waste of time looking for them in processed products.The author also mentions that dairy products are packed with calcium and other essential micronutrients. Yeah, maybe products made from whole milk contain those things, but what we buy in stores is clearly mass-produced. The author goes on to explain the benefits of milk for calcium absorption, but who's actually checked the calcium content in those store-bought products? And even if you do get that calcium, you need a healthy stomach acid to absorb it - something city dwellers can't exactly boast about. So, I'm still on the fence about consuming dairy products.Throughout the book, the author constantly touts the Mediterranean diet as the ultimate healthy and balanced way of eating. I'm skeptical, though - I think there are other diets that can lead to a healthy lifestyle too. Take the Caucasus region, for example, where traditional cuisine is all about meat. That's a pretty well-known fact, and it directly contradicts the Mediterranean diet's recommendations.

Food for Joy. Dietitian Elena's Notes.Plus, when studying the Mediterranean diet's effects on longevity, other crucial factors like air and water quality, industrial production, stress levels, and more were completely ignored. So, the benefits of any given diet are likely exaggerated. Let's face it - 50% of our lifespan is determined by genetics, and then there's our lifestyle.So, this book doesn't exactly make me want to enjoy food with a sense of pleasure and joy. It's full of conflicting and debatable points, especially when it comes to product recommendations.

Let's summarize what I liked about the book. It's not like I needed the author's recommendations to figure this out, but some principles are definitely worth mentioning:

Limited or complete avoidance of processed food. I only eat that stuff in extreme cases - when I'm traveling, eating out, or just don't feel like cooking.

Using a variety of food groups based on personal preferences.

Maximizing salt and sugar intake restrictions.

For coffee loversThis is where things get tricky - choosing the right plant oils for frying and dressings. The author claims that frying with oil is pretty harmless, but then immediately recommends limiting cooking time and exploring other cooking methods.Frying with oilsUnfortunately, the book doesn't address daily intake or meal timing. It also doesn't delve deep enough into the nutritional value of foods and how they're used in cooking. For example, it doesn't mention that dairy products are best consumed in the morning.I was underwhelmed by 'Food for Joy'. It's packed with scientific research and conclusions drawn from it, which gets exhausting with all the constant citations. The author never really decides whether to focus on the benefits or the joy of food. Instead, it's full of advice like 'Eat right!' which gets old fast, especially since most people already know what's good for them and what's not.

There's also a lack of practical advice on portion control. The book doesn't take into account the specifics of different foods, our local culinary mindset, or the types of dishes we typically make. The recommendations in the book are pretty generic and could be found in any healthy eating program that's widely discussed in the media.