Food Sense: What to Eat and Why Hardcover – October 13, 2026

Renowned Stanford nutrition scientist discusses the findings of his over two dozen studies to end the diet wars, debunk myths, and provide health insights to inform our everyday food choices.With so many confusing and contradictory food and nutrition health claims out there, deciding what to eat can feel nearly impossible. Diet is the most under-appreciated, underutilized factor in preventing disease; the food you consume each day has a direct impact on how you feel in the short-term and on your long-term health. At the same time, food also means a lot more than sustenance to people. We need to enjoy it, and it needs to align with our sense of who we are; otherwise, the dietary choices we make are not going to last. This includes taste, pleasure and culture, and our values regarding the environment, animal welfare, and the conditions of workers. Through decades of gold standard original research, Gardner reports on where there is scientific consensus: “The Big Four” (emphasizing vegetables and whole foods, and avoiding added sugars and refined grains) and the “Solid Six” (beans, fruits, nuts, eggs, fish, and yogurt), while providing his framework to be flexible in your food choices. He addresses your nutrition questions regarding weight loss and health, cholesterol, seed oils, plant-based meats, ultra processed foods, protein, GMOS, fads, fibers, and fermented foods. And he shows you how to put all this knowledge together in the kitchen by providing some of his favorite recipes. This book will inspire you to change your diet to include more plants and less processed food and sugar and, most importantly—to enjoy your food. Read more