Knowledge of nutritional principles, says Deborah Kesten, does not necessarily lead to a healthy diet. In examining our attitudes toward food, she initiated a search of the world's spiritual traditions. She reviews the regard for food in Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and the American Indian tradition. She maintains that the loving spirit with which we prepare and eat our food is a major factor in the quality of our diet.

Deborah Kesten, an international nutrition researcher and public health expert, is author of Feeding the Body, Nourishing the Soul.