This is beautiful writing by Ruby Tandoh not just about food but bodies, culture, class, and feelings. It has been such a wake up call to struggle less with what I eat and slow down to be kinder to myself. There's a core of kindness and lack of judgement here that is so refreshing when it comes to food writing.

A wonderful exploration of food, eating and everything in between. Ruby explores a myriad of different avenues in this book - the scope really is astonishing (and there were many things that I wish had been granted more space - though the book does have a list of references at the back) from science to films, from TOWIE's Gemma Colins to ancient history's Galen. She communicates so much about food, looking at the cultural and environmental impact. There is also the question of *our* relationship with food, how it shapes us and defines us; she doesn't shy away from the question of EDs and disordered eating which gives Eat Up yet another angle. Overall though, Eat Up brings joy back into eating, which in this age of dieting and clean eating, is something to be thankful for. (Profile Books were kind enough to send me a copy of this book in exchange for a review ✨)

Ruby Tandoh has the most exquisite writing style, when she describes food you can taste it, smell it, experience every moment of it. This book is more than just some beautiful prose though, it is a glorious life(however you want to live it, whoever you are)-affirming look at our relationships with food. Often times funny, always thoughtful, this book is perfect for people to love food and want to understand more about how we relate to each other through what we put on our plates.

Like many people, food for me has always been a battleground. Social and societal influences have impinged on my enjoyment of food countless times, combined with ideas like "cheat days," "indulging," and the judgement on how much or little I heap onto my plate. Reading 'Eat Up,' I was not only confronted full-on with the extent to which my eating habits had been shaped and moulded by (often toxic) external influences, but Ruby gave me an explanation of my patterns and behaviours that I had been craving. In this beautifully written, opulently descriptive book, I fell back in love with food without considering its caloric content. I rediscovered an enjoyment of eating that came separate to critique of whether it was nourishing, or balanced, or aesthetically pleasing - as her subtitle promises, I relearnt 'Eating What You Want.' Stylistically, the book is easy to read, irreverently funny, and pulls from diverse sources spanning Kardashians, psychological journals, Disney movies, and Ruby's own personal experiences and connections with food. She tackles huge subjects like the diet industry and vegan eating with grace and wisdom. The recipes intertwined into the prose were fun to make, relevant to the topic and hand, and ALWAYS delicious. It's a warm, heartfelt, earnest book - and one I unequivocally recommend. (NB: Profile kindly gave me a proof copy to read)

Occasionally, a book will come along that is so needed by society that we will all wonder why it hadn’t been done any earlier. Eat Up! is that book. This is more than just a food book - but don’t let that stop you making some of the amazing recipes scattered throughout! This is a book that delves deep into the depths of culture, bodies, class and real emotion, all the while keeping you in the now and making you feel good about yourself. You know from the very first page that Tandoh isn’t here to judge you, she isn’t out to shame you for whatever your size, diet, culture may be. If you like a certain food, eat it. If you like a certain way of life, live it. She takes on a kind and generous tone throughout; she’s not trying to dictate to you, she wants you to share her pleasure and understand how she thinks about the magic of food. Food is beautiful and can be complicated, just like us. It’s only when we understand this that our relationship will change.