Eat like the animals What nature teaches us about the science of healthy eating

Entomologists Raubenheimer and Simpson (The Nature of Nutrition, coauthors) discuss what humans can learn from other animals about eating in this revelatory work of health science. The authors open with their central question--how do living things know what to eat?--and go on to describe conducting an experiment that found locusts instinctively eat a set amount of protein and carbs, but if confronted with an unbalanced diet, prioritize the former. A follow-up experiment with human volunteers found the same. Their search for other species which manifest "protein leveraging" leads them to study gorillas in the forests of Uganda, wild yaks in the Bhutanese Himalayas, and other species in far-flung locations. The authors observe that while many animals' "food environments" have not substantially changed over time, those of humans have, with ready access to "ultraprocessed" foods (high in fats and carbs). The "strong appetite for protein shared by all animals," they assert, drives human overeating and consequent health problems. The authors conclude with helpful advice on making balanced dietary choices. Whether readers are drawn to the book's health takeaways or to the scientific nitty-gritty, they will find much food for thought in this fascinating study. (Apr.)