Book Review: The Big Fat Surprise

Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet by Nina Teicholz

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As someone who was vegetarian and vegan for over 20 years, changing my diet felt like an impossible task, even when I was no longer feeling well. It felt like a moral failing, and when I transitioned slowly in 2021, it triggered an identity realignment. So much of my life - including the Jewish Food Hero and several recipe books - had been built around vegetarianism/veganism that I was embarrassed for a full year, telling no one but my family because I felt I was letting people down.

But as I started eating meat and dairy again, my physical and mental health improved dramatically. That prompted me to dig into the science behind the foods I was now eating. One book that profoundly shaped my understanding is The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet by Nina Teicholz.

This book challenges long-held beliefs about nutrition, specifically the idea that saturated fats are harmful. For someone like me, who spent several years eating a low-to-no oil vegan diet, someone who grew up thinking vegetarianism was the best thing for both my body and the planet, it was an eye-opener. It’s important to reeducate ourselves and let go of ideas that have been proven false. When I began my vegetarian and vegan journey at 12, I truly believed I was doing the right thing for my health. Now, I realize I was wrong.

I hope you enjoy this review and find it as thought-provoking as I did.