Adelle Davis, described on the back cover as “America’s most noted nutritionist,” was a controversial author of the last century whose books on health, diet and nutrition sold millions of copies.

With Let’s Cook It Right, first published in 1947 and updated in 1972, Davis hoped to show “America’s housewives” how to achieve healthful, tasty, nutritious meals made mostly with whole, unrefined ingredients, unlike the highly refined, prepared foods in cans and boxes lining supermarket shelves and stocked in home pantries.

Perhaps this excerpt from the back cover expresses her intent best: “The easy-to-follow, marvelously tempting recipes in this book will delight the most discriminating palate—and prevent the damage so often done by incorrect cooking methods and harmful ingredients and additives.”