The strongest criticism levelled at Eat This Book in reviews is that Nerz uses prose that is more sensational than objective.

"[1] Despite this negative criticism, other reviewers found the direct involvement by Nerz, and first-hand account of his own personal quest to become a competitive participant both absorbing and entertaining.

[1] The Publishers Weekly review of the book said that "Nerz chronicles his amusing adventures in the perverse, repellent, strangely heroic world of competitive eating…with glee and good humor."

The New York Times Book Review compared the author’s style to that of Grantland Rice, an early 20th-century American sportswriter known for his elegant prose.

Calling the author "more mythifier than journalist," the Times Book Review added that the competitive eaters he profiled "are indeed a colorful, varied bunch, even without the pro-wrestling-style personalities the IFOCE encourages.