Sorting Fact from Fiction in Health Literature
Expert reviews of nutrition books
Red Pen Reviews publishes the most informative, consistent, and unbiased reviews of nutrition books, helping you sort fact from fiction
Our latest reviews
What is Red Pen Reviews?
Red Pen Reviews is the only organization that publishes structured, expert-led reviews of popular nutrition books—free to the public. Our expert reviewers assess each book for scientific accuracy, reference accuracy, and healthfulness. We aim to empower readers, counter misinformation, and improve the standards of health writing. We’re funded entirely by reader donations, and we don’t accept funding from food or drug companies.
In-Depth Book Analyses
Explore Our Latest Reviews
Smart, Simple, Science-Based Strategies for Losing Weight and Keeping It Off
66
Why the Experts Got It All Wrong–and How Eating More Might Save Your Life
40
21 Practical Principles for Reclaiming Your Health in a Nutritionally Confusing World
59
How science shows a plant-based diet could save your life
84
The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease–and How to Fight It
52
Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating
53
78
The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition, and Modern Medicine
55
The Groundbreaking Science of Healthy, Permanent Weight Loss
68
The Definitive No Bullsh*t Guide
93
REd pen review process
How We Review Books
Red Pen Reviews uses a unique, structured review method to assess the information quality of nutrition books. Our method breaks each review into three core categories that are scored using a rigorous and consistent process.
Scientific Accuracy
We check whether three key claims in the book are supported by high-quality evidence.
Reference Accuracy
We randomly choose ten references and check whether they say what the book claims.
Healthfulness
We check whether the book’s advice does what it claims, improves general health, and meets nutritional needs.
Hall of fame
We’ve reviewed over two dozen popular nutrition books. Some are evidence-based – others aren’t. Here are our highest-scoring books.
Books Reviewed
Scored Highly
Expert Reviewers
"It seems as if every time I turn around, there’s a new book promising huge health benefits. Unfortunately many of these books make health claims and dietary recommendations that aren’t backed up by scientific evidence — even when the authors say that they’re science-based. So if you don’t have a nutrition-science degree, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff? Red Pen Reviews (redpenreviews.org) is a good place to start."
Trusted reviews, thanks to you
As a nonprofit, Red Pen Reviews relies on reader donations to make high-quality reviews and publish them free of charge. Your support makes this possible.
Help Us Continue Providing Unbiased Reviews
As a nonprofit, Red Pen Reviews relies on reader donations to fund our expert reviewers and maintain our commitment to unbiased, high-quality content. Your support makes our work possible.