This book fulfills the need for a balanced report on current understanding of dietetics and nutrition. It sifts through mountains of literature and constructs a concrete structure from scattered information. Data that are still speculative are identified as such, facts are so stated and erroneous beliefs are exposed. All this is done in a language that dietitians, nutritionists, medical professionals and busy housewives are all comfortable with. The latest edition has been fully updated (with up-to-date references provided) and is more crisp but accommodating. The earlier four-part format - the first dealing with elements of nutrition, the second with food items, the third with clinical dietetics and the fourth with nutritional values, has been retained. Strong features from the previous edition e. g. - sample menus and lists of permitted and forbidden items and tables of food values, have also been retained. Vegetarian and mixed tastes are catered to. Overall, the book should be at home in most countries of the world.