The book focuses on the importance of core ingredients. In the food industry, the three ingredients of salt, sugar, and fat account for many products, and the resulting health problems.

Sugar in particular accounts for addictive eating and resulting health problems. In candies and breakfast cereals and other sweet foods, it appeals especially to children. In liquid form, such as sodas, sugar can escape the notice of the body, leading to large amounts of consumption.

Fat adds flavor and texture to foods including ice cream and pizza. It complements the other key ingredients, and could cause its own health problems. Fat is the key ingredient with the most notorious reputation. According to Salt Sugar Fat, Americans consume dangerous amounts of saturated fat from cheese and red meat.

Salt makes snacks and other foods tastier, crunchier, and longer-lasting. It has a long history in food preparation and preservation. However, recent alarm over its possible role in high blood pressure and accompanying diseases has introduced questions about the role of dietary salt.

A bliss point is the balance of an ingredient at which a consumer finds it ideally appealing. For example, just the appropriate amount of sugar makes a soda taste best.