Diet for a New America: How Your Food Choices Affect Your Health, Happiness and the Future of Life on Earth Second Edition

This is a must read for anyone in America that eats.

I was rather disappointed when I received this book. I thought that it was an updated edition. But the only new information in this book is a six-page "Afterword," which was apparently written in the late 1990s (The last date mentioned in it is 1997). The copyright for the rest of the book is 1987. And looking over the footnotes appendix, the bulk of Robbins' sources are dated from the 1970s through the early 1980s. I am writing this review in 2002, so the information in this book is already 20-30 years old. Given how quickly our knowledge of nutrition and related issues grows and changes, this leaves the statistics and many of Robbins' claims rather out-dated.That said, this book is a 400+ page treatise designed to convince everyone to become a vegetarian. And I am sure many have done so as a result of reading this book. The details about the mistreatment of farm animals alone are enough to turn a sensitive person away from eating animals.And for those concerned about their health, this book details how pesticides concentrate in the meat and fat of animals. And it presents stories of the health problems caused by the hormones given to animals. For instance, Robbins tells the stories of very young girls developing fully formed breasts as a result of eating hormone-containing meat. These facts alone do show that there is serious health risks associated with the eating of today's meat.And Robbins cites studies showing the correspondence between meat eating and the development of cancer and heart disease. But this is where the problem with Robbins sources being so dated comes in. When I did the research for my more recent book "Creationist Diet," I found that the evidence was split as to whether meat eating was associated with an increased risk of cancer or not.But overall, I would say that Robbins makes a strong case for not eating meat as it is commonly produced today. And in that respect this is a valuable book. There are serious problems associated with the consumption of most of today's meat.However, in his zeal to promote vegetarianism, he tries to write off the eating of organic meat with one paragraph (on page 343). But his main argument against eating organically raised meat is that such animals would still concentrate toxins from the grains they eat.Now maybe back in 1987 someone could label meat from animals that had been fed pesticide-laden grains "organic," but that is no longer the case today. There are now regulations on the use of the term "organic," and more stringent ones will be coming into effect later this year.Moreover, by definition, organically raised animals are not given hormones. And pasture-fed animals would not be subjected to the mistreatment of factory farm animals that Robbins describes in his book.In addition, I am now of the concerted opinion that when studies do show there are health problems associated with the eating of meat, it is not meat per se that is causing the problems but the pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and steroids in the meat, along with the high amounts of saturated fat in such animals. But such problems would not apply to organic meat or game meat.So Robbins' arguments in regards to the mistreatment of animals, contaminates in animals, and the health effects of meat eating would not apply to organically raised, pasture-fed animals. Similarly, his arguments would not apply to the eating of game animals. So if one can find organically raised, pasture fed animals or utilize game meat, then the bulk of the arguments in this book would not apply. The only argument left is Robbins' contention that farm animals are "intelligent" creatures, and thus it is morally wrong to eat them.Now the discussion of morals becomes much less concrete. And each person must decide for himself or herself if it is morally wrong to kill and eat animals. But personally, as a Christian, I look to the Bible for guidance on what is morally right or wrong. And the Bible makes it clear that the killing of animals for food is not morally wrong. I address this issue in detail in my book.Having said all of that, I do believe that a mostly plant-based diet is healthiest. The consumption of healthy plant foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes are definitely associated with decreased risk of heart disease, cancer and stroke. And eating a majority of ones daily food in the form of animal foods would displace these more healthy foods from ones diet.It also should be said that a vegetarian diet can be healthy. In fact, I have a chapter in my book on "The Benefits of a Vegan Diet." But I also have a chapter on "The Pros and Cons of Flesh Foods." And in that chapter I demonstrate that it simply is not a clear-cut case that the eating of meat is bad and the not eating of meat is good as Robbins makes it out to be.As for myself, I have followed a vegan diet in the past. In fact, I was following such a diet when I wrote my book. But I found that I did not "thrive' on it. But the re-inclusion of a limited amount of animal foods has benefited me greatly. So my diet is now probably about 80-90% plant foods and remainder from organic animal foods.I discuss all of the issues I address above in much more detail in my book "Creationist Diet: Nutrition and God-given Foods According to the Bible." And it should be noted that my book was published in September of 2000. And the sources I cite are from the 1900s and even some from early 2000. So my book provides much more recent information on all of these issues than Robbins' book does.

Diet for a New America by John Robbins is recommended reading by many health professionals and raw foodist authors. John Robbins definitely gives a biased view of the meat, dairy, and agricultural practices of today. I think the first section of the book is enough for people to set it down and not even consider the rest of it.At first I didn't understand what Robbins goal was in writing Diet for a New America and I would not have recommended it until I was over half way through. Robbins begins with a deliberately emotional account of animal cruelty in the modern animal factories.From some of the negative reviews I've read of this book, it seems this is where the reader stopped and didn't get the full picture. I was tempted of leaving off as it is difficult for me to process that amount of suffering and lack of compassion. Robbins also describes the forgiving and loving nature of animals whether they are chickens, pigs, dolphins, etc...After completing this book I understand how everything ties into each other. Our current food processes is unhealthy for the animals, humans, and the planet. The standard practice of animal cruelty is appalling. Next, eating sick animals is not good for humans at all. And the majority of meat in the markets today comes from animals that were mildly to grossly ill at the time of slaughter. Our forests are being turned into animal factories. Our ground is being poisoned with pesticides. Robbins does do an excellent job of tying in each point into a thorough argument against meat, dairy, eggs, and pesticides.The meat, egg, and dairy industries have taken a page out of the tobacco companies books and have learned how to mislead, lie, conceal, and manipulate the government and Americans into believing their propaganda. We take in the chemicals that are used in the animal industry and in farming via pesticides and we are a very sick population. Robbins points out the cost on our environments continuing in this manner. If we consumed far less meat or no meat at all, we could produce healthier foods for us and also have enough to assist in world hunger.Robbins gives a lot of information and his footnotes are extensive. At the moment I am not consuming any animal products other than honey due to dietary choices. This gives me a bit of comfort, but I have to consider my family and the health cost for them now and in the future. I am toxic and am now digging myself out from under the years of harming my body and my environment with my choices. Am I creating the same legacy for my children?I have to take Robbins with a grain of suspicion as he is clearly biased and even if half of his information is stretching, I don't know as I haven't done any studying his sources, I am stunned at how deceived I have been on nutrition.Having looked into this book a bit further, most people are recommending reading John Robbins The Food Revolution. I haven't read it. It appears to be an updated version of Diet for a New America.If I had known about The Food Revolution, I would have picked this up instead of Diet for a New America. I would recommend this book to anyone questioning the current nutritional "facts". I am unsure of my stand on meat vs. no meat for everyone, but I am sure that animal cruelty, sick animals, and deathly pesticides has no place in a conscientious diet.

This brilliant book should be compulsory reading for everyone, from the age of 6. Amazingly informative and would have saved the planet and the NHS as well as millions of people suffering from illnes and cancer. Also look at Dr Michael Greger's How not to Die.

This must be one of the best books I have ever read. Interesting, informative and compelling! If we want to teach our children how to live correctly then this book should be put on the school curriculum. I have been raving about it to everyone I know. Have already purchased his other books.

Every single person on this planet needs to read this book. This book will change the way you look at life. It is one of those books that comes along once in a life time. It will bring about an important, essential and positive change in: your life, the life of animals and the welfare of our unique environment and our amazing planet.

This is the best book I have ever read relating to why it is in out own best interests to be vegetarian, given where the world is at today. Not moralistic, nor rightous, just plain practical. Research shows the impact meat, and animal products have on many of the major diseases of today. Also shows the impact the meat and dairy industry has on the environment as well. A must read for anyone interested in your own or others health, or in making a difference to the planet.

Very informative, well-written book. This book combines sensitivity, wisdom, and science-based arguments to enlighten any reader.