Before you think about starting a diet, read this book. As a medical and health writer with her doctorate in bioethics, Sara Rosenthal is disturbed by some of the assumptions and misunderstandings promoted by our society’s obsession with avoiding fat. In a culture that assigns moral values to being “fat” or “thin,” eating disorders, depression, and in some cases malnutrition are more common, as people struggle to achieve an unrealistic ideal. InThe Skinny on Fat, Sara Rosenthal does some plain talking about body image, fat phobia, anorexia, and bulimia, as well as the other side of malnutrition – overnourishment. She takes a down-to-earth look at the most popular diets of the moment and discusses how they work (or don’t), what their critics say, and what effects they can have on your health. She also outlines prescription and over-the-counter weight-loss drugs and the myriad of chemicals – such as fat replacers and artificial sweeteners – that we ingest daily in order to avoid fat and sugar. Finally, she turns to recommendations for a healthy, balanced diet. Informed, straight-forward, and accessible, this is a book everyone should read before they start a diet.