In an era where convenience often supplants nutrition, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michael Moss delves into the heart of the processed food industry to uncover how salt, sugar, and fat have been meticulously engineered to hijack our taste buds and wallets. "Salt Sugar Fat" is a riveting exploration of the $1 trillion behemoth that dominates the American diet, revealing the calculated science and marketing genius behind the foods that line our supermarket shelves. With unparalleled access to the inner workings of the biggest names in the food business, Moss exposes how these companies ensure their products are irresistible by perfecting the very combination of ingredients that tap into our primal cravings for sweetness, saltiness, and richness. Through a narrative as compelling as it is alarming, Moss shares stories from the boardrooms and laboratories where food moguls view consumers not as people, but as targets in their strategy to boost sales. "Salt Sugar Fat" pulls back the curtain on the tactics employed to keep us coming back for more — from designing the optimal "bliss point" of sugary drinks to the "mouthfeel" of fats that make us crave them. It's a critical look at the health consequences of our eating habits, driven by a powerful industry that thrives on our addiction to salt, sugar, and fat. This book is not only a journey into the heart of American food culture but also a call to action, urging readers to rethink what they eat and why.