“The revolution starts with what we put on our plates and into our bodies. But even before that, it starts with Food Fix. Read this book to change the world.” – Tim Ryan, US representative (OH)
Food is no longer just a means of restoring energy levels and getting the required nutrients. In the modern world, food is the catalyst of the biggest global crises, including the epidemic of obesity, food-related chronic conditions, poverty, violence and changes in climate.
In his eye-opening book ’Food Fix,’ Mark Hyman explains how many of the world’s greatest issues can be traced to our food and how it is produced.
Author’s background

Mark Hyman, MD, is a renowned medical doctor and author known for his expertise in functional medicine.

He is the Founder and Senior Advisor of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine and also the Founder and Director of The UltraWellness Center. With several bestselling books, including ‘Young Forever,’ ‘The Pegan Diet,’ ‘Food Fix,” ‘Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?,’ ‘Food: What the Heck Should I Cook?,’ ‘Eat Fat, Get Thin,’ ‘The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet,’ and ‘The Blood Sugar Solution,’ he has become a leading figure in promoting health through optimal nutrition and lifestyle choices.
What is the book about?

‘Food Fix’ is an incredibly captivating, thought-provoking, and inspiring book. It sheds light on how our broken food systems extend far beyond just our health and affect our economy and the planet’s well-being. Dr. Hyman connects the dots between what we eat and its influence on various domains, including health, economy and climate.
The book is organised into five parts and seventeen chapters, addressing different food-related issues and providing a comprehensive perspective on how our food reaches our plates, including the ineffective role of government in setting food policies. It delves into the manipulative practices of major food companies like PepsiCo, McDonald’s, Domino’s, Kellogg’s, etc., and how they influence our food choices while silencing opposition.
At the end of each chapter, the author offers practical suggestions called ‘FOOD FIX,’ encouraging us to take control of our food choices and consider ways to fix the broken systems, not just individually but also on a broader scale.
The book emphasises that the choices we make about what we eat can have a significant impact on our health, the environment, and the world around us, prompting us to take a more responsible and conscious approach to our diets.
Table of contents

- Introduction
- PART I
- The Health and Economic Impact of Our Food System
- 1. The True Cost of Food – The Health, Economic, Environmental, and Climate Impact of Our Food System
- 2. The Global Epidemic of Chronic Disease: The Role of Our Food System
- 3. The Global Reach of Big Food
- 4. Leveraging Fiscal Policies to Address Obesity and Chronic Disease
- PART II
- The Dirty Politics of Big Foods
- 5. How Big Food and Big Ag Control Food Policy
- 6. The Power of Food Industry Lobbyists
- 7. The US Government: Subsidizing Disease, Poverty, Environmental Destruction, and Climate Change
- 8. The Food Industry Preys on Children and Schools 9. The FDA Is Not Doing Its Job to Protect Us
- PART III
- Information Warfare
- 10. How the Food (Mostly Soda) Industry Co-opts Public Health and Distorts Nutrition Science
- 11. How Big Food Buys Partnerships and Hides Behind Front Groups
- PART IV
- Food and Society: The Destruction of Our Human and Intellectual Capital
- 12. The Hidden Oppression of Big Food: Social Injustice, Poverty, and Racism
- 13. Food and Mental Health, Behavior, and Violence
- 14. Farmworkers and Food Workers: The Neglected Victims of Our Food System
- PART V
- The Environmental and Climate Impact of Our Food System
- 15. Why Agriculture Matters: Food and Beyond
- 16. Soil, Water, Biodiversity: Why Should We Care?
- 17. The Food and Ag Industry: The Biggest Contributor to Climate Change
- Epilogue: The Future of Food, Humans, and the Planet
- Acknowledgments
- Discover More
- About the Author
- Books by Mark Hyman, MD
- Notes
- Resounding Praise for Food Fix
Key takeaways from ‘Food Fix’

1Stop drinking sugar
In ‘Food Fix’, a powerful and thought-provoking message emerges: ‘Stop Drinking Sugar.’ Hyman states that sugar is a culprit of various health conditions and even calls it a ‘candy for cancer cells.’
Dr. Hyman emphasises that eliminating sugary beverages is the topmost approach to enhance our health and compel industries to stop profiting from such lucrative products. By cutting out sugary drinks like sodas and fruit juices (which are often mistaken as healthy), we can take control of our well-being and make a significant impact on our health and the food industry. Hyman urges us to recognise that sugar is not a healthy food, urging readers, especially parents, to be mindful of the sugar content in what they consume.
2Doctors should prescribe food in addition to medicines
‘Food Fix’ explores a revolutionary concept of prescribing healthier food as a means to address the root causes of various health issues. Dr. Hyman highlights compelling research where individuals are split into two groups, one treated normally and the other given ‘food prescriptions.’ Imagine going to a doctor for diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, and receiving a prescription for healthier food, with insurance covering the cost. This innovative approach demonstrates remarkable results, with decreased healthcare costs and improved health measures.
Using a creative metaphor involving a tree, Hyman explains that similar to a gardener who provides the right nutrients, water, and light to restore a healthy tree, the healthcare system needs to address the root causes of health issues rather than simply masking symptoms.
3Junk food companies are deceiving you more than you can imagine
Dr. Mark Hyman delves into the disturbing truth about the food industry’s influence on research. With a staggering 12 billion dollars spent on junk science, the industry attempts to confuse and manipulate consumers into believing that their unhealthy products are not as harmful as they seem. This deceptive approach echoes the tactics used by the tobacco industry, raising questions about the credibility of such research.
The energy balance theory, promoted by the food industry, suggests that a calorie is a calorie, and all we need to do to maintain our weight is to balance our energy intake and expenditure. However, the reality, supported by independent research, paints a different picture. Ultra-processed, sugar-laden foods affect our bodies differently than whole, nourishing foods like fats and proteins.
Overall rating & strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews

Strengths
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Offers an evidence-based approach, using science, facts, and studies to explain the importance of proper nutrition and how to improve our broken system for the environment, farmers, and our health.
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Inspires and provide hope, offering actionable steps and resources to make a positive difference.
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The author’s stance is neutral, not advocating for any specific dietary camp, but instead offering rational and practical advice on the foods we need.
Weaknesses
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A repetitive writing style may lead to confusion and disorganisation for some readers.
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Heavy reliance on data, lacking visual aids like tables and charts that could enhance data comprehension.
Best quotes from ‘Food Fix’

“One-third to one-half of all greenhouse gas emissions come from industrial agriculture, which releases 600 million tons of CO2 equivalent into the air every year.”
“The crops are grown through intensive industrial farming that leads to massive soil erosion and loss of soil carbon, worsening climate change. In Iowa, we lose 1 pound of topsoil for every pound of corn grown. The cost of soil erosion from industrial agriculture is $44 billion a year. We lose almost 2 billion tons of topsoil a year.”
“SNAP is a vital anti-poverty, anti-hunger tool. No doubt about it. But that is why other aspects of the program desperately need reform. The most pressing food problem for low-income households is no longer a lack of calories – it’s a lack of good calories. Thanks to federal supports for corn, soy, and grains, junk food is now cheaper than ever (with the help of taxpayer dollars), and consumers are exposed to a conveyor belt of empty, disease-producing calories.”
Final takeaway

‘Food Fix’ by Dr. Mark Hyman is an eye-opening and inspiring book that sheds light on the detrimental impact of our broken food systems on health, economy, and environment. By presenting evidence-based solutions and encouraging individual and collective action, Dr. Hyman empowers readers to take charge of their diets and make informed choices that can lead to a positive change in the world.
This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the interconnectedness of our food choices with major global crises and is willing to take steps towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future.
Where to buy
You may purchase ‘Food Fix’ on Amazon at the best price. It is available in paperback, hardcover, audio and Kindle versions, so you may choose an option that appeals to you the most.