If you've ever wondered how other people eat, What I Eat: Around the World in 80 Diets (Ten Speed Press) by Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio (the same couple behind Hungry Planet and Material World) is the book for you.
This large coffee table book doesn't just show you what someone eats on any given day; it breaks down the day's intake by meal, product, weight. The person's weight, age, height and the total calories consumed are also listed. The information is straightforward but it's the accompanying text that provides the context, bringing the data to life and making it valuable. The narrative helps us understand why the person eats what (s)he eats with a daily account of activities. The photos, data, and text come together seamlessly and all together, these elements demonstrate the complex nature of food. Because we know that food is more than just something you eat. Food choices can represent and reflect ideals and principles, and they're often impacted by factors such as the economy, social status, politics, religion, genetics, and geography. Those topics are covered in thought-provoking essays by the likes of Marion Nestle, Michael Pollan, and Wendell Berry.
The photographs are eye catching and because the book is organized by increasing caloric intake, you will be amazed by just how muchor how littlesomeone eats. Take the time to read the profiles and then take a step back to contemplate what food means to you.
Photo: © Peter Menzel / www.menzelphoto.com