A review by jenniebooknerd
I'm So Effing Tired: A Proven Plan to Beat Burnout, Boost Your Energy, and Reclaim Your Life by Amy Shah

4.0

The title of this book spoke to me. I have been tired before but, now I am just getting sick of the feeling. I need to believe I can feel better. I am eager to try anything that will help me reclaim my life.
I have read a few nutrition books in my quest for a better life. I am by far no expert, and I trust the qualifications of a double-board-certified medical doctor. However, I have read enough to starting seeing trends and similarities among nutrition information. This book is both up-to-date nutrition science and a spin on the adage that moderation is key to a healthy life. I appreciate that she points out that some things are just not known or understood yet.
In general, Americans do not learn about nutrition. Most people learn everything they know about food from commercials. Food companies do not want you to know how to eat healthfully. They profit from the overconsumption of processed junk foods. Going to your family doctor may not help because doctors do not learn in medical school to see connections between what we eat and how ill or healthy we are. This book would be a huge step towards learning healthy eating.
The book comes across as written for a primarily white, female, upper-middle-class audience, while the information would be helpful for anyone inclined to read the book. The author draws heavily on the reader's ability to see themselves in her experiences to motivate them to keep reading and follow her program. While her humor is about mainstream pop culture, it will resonate most with middle-class white women. She tends to use the word organic as a shorthand for high quality. Readers may have access to foods that are both high quality and nutritious without being organic. She fails to dispel the myth that just because something is organic, it is not automatically healthy. Organic candy is still candy.
Ultimately this book will not be life-changing for me. I have one of the medical conditions listed as needing more than diet changes. The advice to me is to consult with my doctor or see a specialist. I learned that my regular eating habits fall in line with intermittent fasting. I am looking forward to trying her recipes. Overall I would recommend reading this book. Follow her plan if you are interested in seeing how it could make you feel better. If it encourages you to eat more healthfully, your life will be better for it.