The True Size of Food

In this richly illustrated book, the designer and author Marijke Timmerman examines how we deal with nutrition and food. She goes about this in a manner that is characteristic for creative designers: visually, often by means of infographics, investigation and asking questions.

Her book is no cookbook, nor a book with commands and restrictions regarding food. Rather, what fascinates the author is the incredible abundance of food surrounding us everywhere. And that nowadays, instead of having to gather food, we actually have to restrain ourselves or at least be open to making more conscious choices.

By investigating the measurable side to our nutrition and our eating behaviors, the author provides us with surprising insights into our often absurd manner of dealing with food. An example of this is the number of eating establishments within a radius of 500 meters in any given medium-sized city. According to Timmermans observations this number amounts to 208. Inconceivable! With obvious enjoyment she visualizes the differences between an apple and a mars bar, the expiration date of various fresh and packaged foods and the ingredients of various food products. She also depicts the stress brought on by the sheer volume of choices were faced with standing in the supermarket aisles, etc.

A book to spark amazement and full of visual stories that you will want to pass on.