Eating on the Wild Side; the missing link to optimum health by Jo Robinson

This is an eye-opening book and will change the way you shop for food.  You may already know that the dark leafy lettuces have more nutrients than the light-colored varieties. But which apples have the most nutrients.  But did you know that our tendency to breed varieties of fruits and vegetables for higher sugar content often decreases the level of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals?  Robinson describes how our modern fruit and vegetable varieties were developed from their wild parents, often to withstand being stored for weeks before purchase.  She reviews the research on the most nutritious varieties, and provides lists to use when shopping, whether at the grocery store or farmer's market.  400 pages.

Super Immunity by Joel Fuhrman

In Super Immunity, Fuhrman outlines how certain foods including leafy green vegetables, mushrooms, onions, garlic, berries and seeds can improve our natural defenses. Eating only vegetables, particularly green leafy and other foods high in nutrients is purported to not only boost immunity but also rid the body of other problems like diabetes and lupus.  While the information on the particular vegetables was interesting and useful, there is also a lot of space given to his theories on, for example, why cold medicines don't work. He also includes a lot of testimonials, which I always consider kind of a red flag for credibility.  Furhman espouses the vegan diet, or at least a diet with little or no meat and dairy, and not much fats except avocados.  While there are a number of recipes given, similar ones can be found in any good vegan cookbook. There is also no index. Most reviewers on Amazon gave the book 4 or 5 stars, but I expect most of them were predisposed to his message.  278 pages. Medicine

The Science of Skinny by Dee McCaffrey, CDC

Like many other books on good nutrition, the author encourages eating whole foods, organic if possible, including plenty of fruits and veggies.  Most of the book details the damage done to the human body by sugar, flour, food additives and pesticides. Unfortunately the author often takes a preachy tone, and also cites outdated studies.  If the author, who is a registered food and environmental scientist, is to be believed, this is a truly scary title to read just before Halloween.  Be sure to wash your apples before eating to remove the pesticides.  450 pages.