The Dorito Effect

The Surprising New Truth About Food and Flavor

By: Mark Schatzker

Narrated by: Chris Patton

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

In The Dorito Effect, Mark Schatzker shows us how our approach to the nation's number-one public health crisis has gotten it wrong. The epidemics of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes are not tied to the overabundance of fat or carbs. Instead we have been led astray by the growing divide between flavor - the tastes we crave - and the underlying nutrition.

Since the late 1940s, we have been slowly leeching flavor out of the food we grow. Simultaneously we have taken great leaps forward in technology, allowing us to produce in the lab the very flavors that are being lost on the farm. Thanks to this largely invisible epidemic, seemingly healthy food is becoming more like junk food: highly craveable but nutritionally empty. We have unknowingly interfered with an ancient chemical language - flavor - that evolved to guide our nutrition, not destroy it.

©2015 Mark Schatzker (P)2015 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Important and surprisingly hopeful book

What made the experience of listening to The Dorito Effect the most enjoyable?

To me, the genius of this book is Mark's ability to tell his horrifying tale of the state of food and flavor this country without coming off as an alarmist. It would be really easy to write this story with an accusatory tone, but Mark documents the history of how food production has changed over the last 40 years, without demonizing anyone in particular. And for that reason, I hope it will be less likely to be dismissed because I think what he is saying makes a lot of sense, and if people pay attention, it will make an enormous difference in the lives of millions of Americans. Maybe it is cynical, but the hopeful part to me, is that there is money to be made in making food more nutritious, and money is what makes things change. I'm now voting for change with every dollar of food money that I spend.

Stuff we need to know

Well written and read- couldn't put it down. Put it in your wish list, right at the top. Must listen

Explains so much!

Any additional comments?

I have felt a personal angst about supermarket foods for past decade. Seemed everything has some underlying flavor that did not belong, or no flavor at all. Tomatoes are just the tip of the iceberg. (no pun intended). Finding myself trying more edgy greens and veggies, and spices for my meats...the elusive flavor factor that satisfied. This book enlightened me greatly. It is not just me! There are real reasons for this disenchantment with food Ive been experiencing! I would love this to start a revolution, but as the author points out, low cost yield based food production will always be king.. Also, very well narrated!

Food for thought .... what’s on the label

Wonderful book for novice, foodie or especially a food technologist. Eat differently and listen to your body.

great tone for a serious subject

great wrap up at the end! change is possible and starts with me! I love being read to as if I was smart and cared to learn. thank you!

Eye opening

A different take on this topic, an interesting read for us wellness geeks. Have already recommended to friends and family.

Contemporary food industry explained

I work in the food industry and I've read a lot of books on nutrition but this one is simply brilliant work and a must have for everyone that wants to understand how the food industry operates on a massive scale and how they trick people into consulting ultra genetically modified products that end up in ultra processing such as domino's and fried chicken to name a few.

I Had No Idea!

I heard about this book on an Underground Wellness podcast. The author interviewed well and peaked my interest. Glad I purchased it. There's lot's of information in this book, regarding how our food has changed. To my surprise, this has been going on longer than I thought!The narrator was good, and didn't put me to sleep. I've listened to this twice and have placed several bookmarks.

Diluted Food

Our food is diluted. That's why I love this time of year when my garden yields undiluted vegetables that are so full of flavour that all I add is butter or a tiny bit of salt. Tomatoes that are taste sensations! Really delicious potatoes, corn, cucumbers, etc This flavour is missing in action in our supermarkets and I want it found. The time has come and it is not hard to do. If that's what the consumer wants and demands the market will provide it. Read this book and find out how we are duped.

Great Book!

A very interesting learning experience about food and flavor, and their effects on our meals and choices. Take that dorito off your mouth and start eating some real food!