It was his job to keep you eating.
It was his job to keep you drinking.
It was his job to keep you buying.
Unfortunately for you...
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reviews
Jan 26, 2011
Alexis
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I found this book at the library while I was doing research on another topic. The second I saw it, I knew I had to read it. I was reading another book at the time, decided to read a chapter of "Stuffed" and then ended up reading the whole thing because I found it so interesting.
The author, who wrote this with a co-writer, was a food executive involved in the industry for over 30 years. He's got a lot of experience with some of the decisions that the food industry has made a More...
The author, who wrote this with a co-writer, was a food executive involved in the industry for over 30 years. He's got a lot of experience with some of the decisions that the food industry has made a More...
May 11, 2010
Alison
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The author definitely knows what he was talking about in terms of how the food industry market themselves. It was enlightening, for the most part.
However, his "plan" for consumers to eat healthier was a little short sighted, placing all (or most since he greatly disliked government involvement in food manufacturing comparing the food industry to the car industry) of the responsibility on the manufacturers. The "Stealth Health" plan seemed just so sneaky. I agree More...
However, his "plan" for consumers to eat healthier was a little short sighted, placing all (or most since he greatly disliked government involvement in food manufacturing comparing the food industry to the car industry) of the responsibility on the manufacturers. The "Stealth Health" plan seemed just so sneaky. I agree More...
Oct 31, 2009
Nikki
rated it:
Warning, this review is as much rant as review!
Hank Cardello spent many years as a marketing executive in America's food and beverage industry (General Mills and Coca-Cola are just two places he worked). A bout with chronic fatigue syndrome somehow brought to his attention the health problems of obesity and poor nutrition that the late 20th and early 21st century American diet has caused. While he is no conspiracy theorist, he believes that the food industry (and by this he means primarily More...
Hank Cardello spent many years as a marketing executive in America's food and beverage industry (General Mills and Coca-Cola are just two places he worked). A bout with chronic fatigue syndrome somehow brought to his attention the health problems of obesity and poor nutrition that the late 20th and early 21st century American diet has caused. While he is no conspiracy theorist, he believes that the food industry (and by this he means primarily More...
Jun 08, 2009
Allyson
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I was walking through a book store when the cover of this book caught my eye. I did not want to pay $25 for the book, so instead I put my name on the waiting list at the library. It took about a month to get the book, but I was super excited when it came in.
I'd say it took me about 3 weeks to read, but I didn't put in a huge effort to finish it. I suppose that statement right there speaks for itself. See, if you know me, you know that I read books that I like quite quickly. Don't get m More...
I'd say it took me about 3 weeks to read, but I didn't put in a huge effort to finish it. I suppose that statement right there speaks for itself. See, if you know me, you know that I read books that I like quite quickly. Don't get m More...
Mar 21, 2010
Kris
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Written by a former food industry executive, this was an interesting book--wasn't written by someone who asks the reader to give up all of their favorite foods--he asks the companies to get smarter about adding nutrition to their foods (McDonalds, Little Debbies, General Mills, etc.)--and he takes the Stealth Health approach (like Mrs. Seinfeld's book, Deceptively Delicious)--he believes restaurants & food cos should just take out as much fat and salt and sugar as possible (w/o changing the tast
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Nov 27, 2009
Rachael
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Nothing new here, which was disappointing since I expected a "food insider" to be up on the literature that has been out there for years about his industry. Instead he reveals "amazing" secrets like the fact that grocery stores place products they make the most money on at eye level!!! What??? You're KIDDING??? Next you'll be telling us that fast food places get people to buy more when they bundle their food as value meals...oh, wait, you ARE telling us that.
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Feb 11, 2009
Sara
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My favorite part of this book was, without a doubt, the cover. What a great cover. Every time I closed it, I spent at least 3 minutes admiring the model of the U.S. made out of food. I liked that Michigan was corn flakes.
I was most interested in learning about the steps companies have taken to improve the healthfulness of their products and how those changes have reduced fat, calories, cholesterol. But I also just kept thinking that this expectation that companies have a respon More...
I was most interested in learning about the steps companies have taken to improve the healthfulness of their products and how those changes have reduced fat, calories, cholesterol. But I also just kept thinking that this expectation that companies have a respon More...
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Mar 29, 2009
Lori
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I hovered between 2 stars and 3 for this title. It was obvious that the author was not a writer, but had expertise in other areas and some valuable information to put out there. Some of the material became repetitive and I was not sure this was a style device (to underscore points and sum up material at the end of chapters) or if it was mainly a way to stretch the content into a book. In my estimation, Hank Cardello had a little too much to say to limit himself to an article but not quite eno
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Feb 12, 2010
William
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A contrarian's view of the obesity epidemic in America. The author does not discount individual eater's responsibilities, but makes a case that they frequently have limited choices for a variety of reasons that are not necessarily the fault of restaurants and the food industry, but that only those corporations that bring us raw and prepared food can realistically do anything about. Regardless of whether or not you buy his argument, it's interesting reading on how the food industry works from a f
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Nov 24, 2011
Bruce
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Cardelloo paints a common-sense picture of America's weight problem and how it has grown. Instead of placing blame on anyone segment he concludes that it is actually everyone's fault. The government with regulations that have unintended consequences, food industry for advertising to get people to eat their products, enticements to buy larger sizes, mis-leading labeling, restaurants that provide large portions, grocery stores and product placement, and people that decide to buy the larger sizes
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Oct 02, 2010
Laura
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This was an interesting look at the food industry from an insider's point of view. I liked that he assigned obesity blame evenly, and that he understood the ecomonics behind some of the food problems (like vending machines in schools). I think that some of his solutions work (like adding more water to vending machines), but others are way too 'big brother' for me. I also don't think that restaurants and food manufacturers are as responsible as the author solving the problem. And his claim th
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May 21, 2009
Dree
rated it:
Oh where to begin. The first half of this book is actually fairly interesting--through about chapter 9. The earlier chapters are the most interesting (or I may have given up in disgust!). Chapters 11-13 are horrible. Actually, they are frightening.
Essentially (without complete and total spoilers as to his arguments, which I find weak anyway), Cardello feels Americans are fat because marketers must be greedy (as per what their job is) and regular people are stupid. Regular people can' More...
Essentially (without complete and total spoilers as to his arguments, which I find weak anyway), Cardello feels Americans are fat because marketers must be greedy (as per what their job is) and regular people are stupid. Regular people can' More...
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Oct 04, 2010
Richard
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Cardello was mover and shaker for some of the food industry giants like Coca Cola and General Mills before realizing that the actions of those giants were having some profoundly negative effects on the health of Americans. He outlines some of the market realities that make it unlikely that the food industry will take the initiative in providing healthier products, but also has no faith in government regulations or in the ability of consumers to make personal changes. What he never comes near
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Nov 30, 2010
Laura
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The first part of the book is interesting enough, tracing the history of processed food in America.
Cardello's solutions to the problem of obesity in American are all concerned with the food industry. He places great stock in technology's ability to engineer healthier foods. He doesn't think that the consumer will ever really make good choices and so "Big Food" has to come up with healthier food (i.e. hamburgers with omega 3's added in to make them more healthy). Although i More...
Cardello's solutions to the problem of obesity in American are all concerned with the food industry. He places great stock in technology's ability to engineer healthier foods. He doesn't think that the consumer will ever really make good choices and so "Big Food" has to come up with healthier food (i.e. hamburgers with omega 3's added in to make them more healthy). Although i More...
Jan 25, 2009
Abcdarian
rated it:
(Read in Uncorrected Proof version) This excellent book discusses in intelligent but very readable form not only where the problems in our diet come from, but where the solutions can come from as well. One of Cardello's main points is that most consumers will not change their eating habits, so the food itself must become healthier, and this can be done by the companies and restaurants that produce it, without harming their profits. All in all, a surprisingly positive book!
Jun 14, 2009
Ashley
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An interesting read from a decidedly non-author; he has industry experience and knowledge though but the delivery was different than from an author.
Love the cover. Like the ideas proposed, but the most interesting thing to me were the facts presented about farm subsidies, the insider knowledge of food marketing, and the idea of the poor buying mostly junk food and the reasons for why that is.
Love the cover. Like the ideas proposed, but the most interesting thing to me were the facts presented about farm subsidies, the insider knowledge of food marketing, and the idea of the poor buying mostly junk food and the reasons for why that is.
May 15, 2010
Erin
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Hank Cardello seems to be a fan of a few things - artificial sweeteners, pumping vitamins into foods like hamburgers, and 100 calorie packs. He seems to think there really is no problem with processed foods. I picked up this book at the library without knowing anything about it. I didn't hate the book, but I certainly didn't agree with most of the points Mr. Cardello tries to make.
Mar 02, 2010
Cory
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I don't think that this is a bad book, I just got really bored with it really quickly. There seemed to be a lot of repetition, and a bit of a holier-than-thou attitude. I mean, the fact that a person buys Frosted Flakes for their kids or eats a cookie now and then doesn't mean they are going to balloon up to 756 pounds.
Apr 14, 2009
Interesting but lots of information in this book is familiar if you've read books like Fast Food Nation, Omnivore's Dilemma or any other popular books about food. Also, the author is of the mindset that we should continue to eat foods marketed and produced by these giant companies and I'm not sure that's the case.
Jan 18, 2011
Anita
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An interesting insight into the management practices of the food industry in America, and an essay on the causes of obesity in the US. The chapter on cup cakes was an eye-opener. I had no idea that they were such a big deal in America, having never heard cup cakes mentioned in the media until now. You learn something every day.
Apr 10, 2009
Kristin
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I thought this was an important book and shows us as consumers how we're viewed in light of marketing products to us. I ended up reading so much of this book aloud to my husband, I was so excited about it. But, I'm just not sure I agree with his view of "healthy"--something isn't healthy just because it's low in calories. It's more than that.
Sep 30, 2009
Lacy
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Surprisingly lacking in any real, usable information. I was pretty disappointed, though I guess I did learn a few new facts. Hank Cardello knows his stuff when it comes to marketing and such, but he does not care enough about natural food and its effects on the individual.
Apr 07, 2009
Alice
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So who or what is really "stuffing" America? Author not only presents viewpoints but also potential solutions & the shared responsibility btwn private & public sectors to work together. There's also an amusing chapter dedicated to the cupcake.
Jan 31, 2011
Katie
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Nonfiction 6
I would give the first 2/3 of the book a 4, and give the last 1/3 a 1. This is a very interesting analysis of food manufacturer's decisions and consumer choice. I really enjoyed this book's view toward grocery stores, food manufacturers, and restaurants. He did not demonize them and made their decision making process very transparent. These three are easy targets to criticize, but rarely do you read anything in defense of these three. The last portion of the book was very More...
I would give the first 2/3 of the book a 4, and give the last 1/3 a 1. This is a very interesting analysis of food manufacturer's decisions and consumer choice. I really enjoyed this book's view toward grocery stores, food manufacturers, and restaurants. He did not demonize them and made their decision making process very transparent. These three are easy targets to criticize, but rarely do you read anything in defense of these three. The last portion of the book was very More...
Oct 02, 2009
Dianne
rated it:
Good read for someone who really never thinks about all the crap they eat. Just confirmed what I already knew about food but it was interesting to hear about the marketing approaches and history of convenience food
Aug 15, 2011
Aja
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Aja Marsh Just so poorly written. I read a lot of books with similar themes/data/ideas and so usually getting through these books is a breeze and I can scan them for useful information, ideas, and compelling arguments. This just felt like a whine-fest where he spent more time in the first two chapters what he was going to tell you about that just frigging saying what he had to say. Ugh.
Feb 04, 2011
David
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This book, written by a farmer Marketing Executive to several large food companies, goes on to say the food system we have in America is not set up to supply us with healthy choices. He does detail some interesting insider stories, especially to me being an insider of sorts myself, but does not really add nothing new to table. Basically, cost is the top driver, misinformation abounds, and general laziness of the consumer means no one is motivated to overcome it.
He does offer a somewhat More...
He does offer a somewhat More...
Jul 21, 2009
Lisa
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Interesting, quick read by a former food exec. I'm so used to the foodielite view on food, it's really different for me to be getting an industry perspective.
Feb 05, 2010
Jocelyn
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At first blush I thought it would be a railing against the big food companies and a call to government for more intervention. It's the opposite, with an understanding that food companies are in it to make money, the government is too unwieldy to make decisions for the industry, and that consumers have to take some responsibility, too.
Jul 06, 2009
Jenny
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Took me about 3 weeks to finish this and it was okay. He makes some interesting points about the food industry and also shared some insights, but I found it a little too "Scold-y" like and the "prescription" to fix america's food industry is compelling, but maybe it should go to the White House.
overall I thought it was ok, but not very well written. Great cover, interesting approach, but I didn't entirely agree with his approach to health being engineered food More...
overall I thought it was ok, but not very well written. Great cover, interesting approach, but I didn't entirely agree with his approach to health being engineered food More...
