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"You are what you eat"

Posted by Paul Guthrie on August 04, 2000

In Reply to: "You are what you eat" posted by ESC on August 03, 2000

: : does anyone know what is the origin of the phrase "you are what you eat"?

: : I found a reference to another phrase "a man is but what he eats", spoken in 18??, by a german guy. I wasn't able to get the details.

: : is this phrase the same thing, and what does it actually mean.

: : email me on cassical@netspeed.com.au if you can help.

: : ta

: "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. Your health, looks, and well-being result from the kinds of food you consume. The proverb has been used in the United States since 1941, and is listed in the 1948 'Macmillan (Home) Book of Proverbs, Maxims and Familiar Phrases' by Burton Stevenson." Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).

: This is what I've found so far. It probably has an earlier origin.

The phrase would certainly have been popularized by the health book classic (well I know my mum had it!) of the same name, by Victor Lindlahr, first published in 1940. There is even an original copy still available at the link below, although of course there are many later editions.

Lindlahr, Victor. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. 128 pgs. Tables & charts. Dark blue cloth. Quarto. NY: National Nutrition Society, . Spine ends & corners shelfworn; pages lightly foxed; otherwise, good+ condition. 15.00
www.redding-bookstore.com/ medicine.htm

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