Living the Low Carb Life: Controlled Carbohydrate Eating for Long-Term Weight Loss [Bargain Price] (Paperback) Review

Here's my chapter-by-chapter review of this book.A little long, but should give you a good idea of what the book contains.

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Chapter 1: The History and Origins of Low-Carb Diets

This was a fun chapter. Jonny Bowden talks about the history of low-carbohydrate diets, from William Banting and Dr. William Harvey all the way to Dr. Barry Sears (The Zone). We find low-carb diets did not start with Dr. Robert Atkins in 1972, but actually with Mr. Banting's publication of Letter on Corpulence in 1864. So low-carb has been around much longer than the low fat dogma that has only been popular the last 30 years. The concept of the calorie wasn't even discovered until between 1890 and 1900 by a man with the name of Wilbur Atwater.

Mr. Bowden goes through all this and more, touching on each of the major players in diet from 1864 onward. Many of the people named I had never heard of before. There's so much more to this low-carb lifestyle than one man in New York in the 70s!

Very good chapter and I highly recommend it.

Chapter 2: Why Low-Carb Diets Work

Jonny Bowden gets somewhat technical in this chapter, and I admit parts were over my head. It talks about how our bodily system work, with a focus on insulin since it is a key reason low fat/high carb diets don't work. It talks about blood sugar, cholesterol (both HDL and LDL), and triglycerides. It explains why a diet high in carbohydrates has an adverse impact on all of these.

He spends extra time on insulin, insulin resistance, and diabetes. He talks about insulin as the "fat-storage hormone" and most importantly, what goes on in the body to cause this. The chapter can be summed up best in one sentence: "Controlling insulin is the number one priority of all low-carb diets" (page 64).

As I said, parts are quite technical, but most of the chapter was understandable. It left me thinking, "Why would I ever want to put so many carbs in my body when they do such horrible things?

This is the chapter to read if you want to know the scientific reasons a low carb diet works and what goes on in your body when you are on a traditional low fat diet.

Chapter 3: The Diets

In chapter 3, Jonny Bowden takes pains to list the positives and negatives of all the diet plans he profiles. With those that get a low rating, such as Lindora, he mentions what is good about the program. And with the highest rated, such as Atkins, he mentions the faults he sees. So far from being overly biased, he does his best to highlight the whole story behind all the diets - good and bad.

Here's all the diets and how they rated, from top rated down to lowest rated. When more than one program has the same rating they are in alphabetical order. If you want to know Mr. Bowden's reasoning behind these ratings, you'll have to get the book! :) Below each diet I will put my comments.

The Atkins Diet - 5 stars

I am, of course, biased toward this program because it is my plan. :) Atkins is high-fat, low-carb, consisting of four phases, each one less restrictive than the last.

Favorite quotes:
"But you have to realize that in 1972, banning these foods [high carbohydrate foods] for even two weeks was the nutrition equivalent of suggesting that every school and office in the country burn the American flag. These foods were the holy grail of low-fat religion" (pg. 68).

"Atkins has been one of the most misunderstood diet authors and has been the target of more attacks than any other low-carb proponent, probably because his was the first and the most commercially successful of the plans and also, to the constant chagrin of the establishment, because he simply wouldn't go away" (pg. 72).

The Fat Flush Plan - 5 stars

A good basic plan. There really isn't anything bad to say about it. It restricts wheat, dairy, and sugar, which some people are sensitive to in which case these foods would cause bloating.

The Hamptons Diet - 5 stars

Favorite quote:
"Dr. Pescatore points to the fact that the American Heart Association diet - which recommends limiting total dietary fat to less than 30 percent of the diet and saturated fat to less than 10 percent - fails to lower triglycerides and actually lowers HDL (good cholesterol). In addition, the AHA diet has never consistently shown long-term improvement in any heart disease outcome" (pg. 107).

Protein Power - 5 stars

Not much to say. It's a very good, well-balanced low carb diet.

Interesting feature of the diet:
It has three levels, representing your level of commitment. The higher the level, the more healthy you will be. You'll have to get the book for the full explanation, but here's the name of the levels.

Purist - very restrictive
Dilettante - a little less restrictive, but still bans certain foods; the authors themselves are on this level
Hedonist - the least restrictive; anything goes as long as you stay within your allotted carbs and get the amount of required protein

If I had to go on this diet I would most certainly be a hedonist!

Interestingly enough, I recently stumbled upon Dr. Michael Eades' blog and have been reading it.

The South Beach Diet - 5 stars

Consisting of three phases and a good carbs/good fats approach (after the initial low-carb approach of Phase 1), the diet's true genius was that Dr. Agatston managed to get accepted by the mainstream. This is probably do to his demonization of saturated fats, which Mr. Bowden feels is dead wrong. However, if it can get people eating less carbs, that's a good thing.

I can't find fault in this diet. It encourages people to eat carbs in the amount their individual bodies can handle them, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Best (if not favorite) quote:
"The genius of Agatston is that he has taken this information and make it extremely user-friendly and accessible, and has done so while making sure not to alienate his more conservative colleagues in the medical profession. This makes it much more likely that his important message will be heard" (pgs. 155-156).

The Zone - 5 stars

Consists of 40% carbs/30% protein/30% fat.

Mr. Bowden then takes time to explode some basic myths about the diet.

1) "The Zone is not a high-protein diet" (pg. 161). It includes about 112g of protein a day.
2) "The Zone is also not a low-carb diet" (pg. 162). It includes about 150g of carbohydrates. (Yikes! Way too high for me. Any more than about 90g a day and I get the most horrible cravings.)
3) "The Zone was never meant solely as a weight loss diet. It was designed to reduce heart disease through the control of inflammation" (pg. 162).

In this section Mr. Bowden touches on the topic of eicosanoids. Very interesting stuff. Don't skip it.

He says that Dr. Sears has "almost singlehandedly forced the dietary establishment to reevaluate the prohibition on fats" (pg. 165), and that 40/30/30 beats the USDA food pyramid any day of the week. He says the Zone is a good place to begin, even if you later move on the a different program.

The 7 Day Low-Carb Rescue and Recovery Plan - 4 stars

By the same authors as the The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet. This is a week-long program and not a lifestyle. It's meant to transition you slowly into the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet. (See below for more on this.)

The GO Diet - 4 stars

Favorite quote:
"Fruits today are definitely not the same fruits out ancestors ate. Our fruits have been bred and engineered for far more sweetness than the bitter little things that our Paleolithic ancestors gathered" (pg. 102).

The Schwarzbein Principle - 4 stars

Mr. Bowden says that every low-carber should have the original Schwarzbein Principle in their library. He also says that if you aren't familiar with the case against a low-fat diet that this book is a good place to start.

The Schwarzbein Principle focuses on both insulin (as all low-carb diets do), but also on having healthy adrenal glands. This is what sets it apart from all other low-carb diets.

Why does it get only 4 stars? Because it's not really a weight loss plan. "As an overall plan for health, this is five-star material. But as a weight loss diet - which it was never intended to be - it may not be the ideal entry-level plan, as it requires a good deal of patience and lots of commitment" (pg. 146).

The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet - 3 stars

Two "on plan" meals a day consisting of mostly protein and vegetables and one reward meal, but that meal must be eaten in one hour. No snacks.

I could do a LOT of damage in one hour. This program would never work for me.

Neanderthin - 3 stars

Notable quote:
"Until the advent of agriculture, grains, beans, potatoes, milk, and refined sugar were not part of the human diet" (pg. 119).

This is SO true! Agriculture has only been around for 10,000 years. Our digestive tracts don't change that quickly. Our bodies are much better suited for a hunter/gatherer diet - low carbohydrate, high protein and fat.

Interesting feature of this diet:
"You...shouldn't drink alcohol, though he [the diet's author] says that if you must, you can do damage control by drinking fruit-based alcohol such as wine or champagne" (pg. 121).

No quibble here. I'm a wine girl all the way!

Favorite quote:
"A vegetarian diet, says Audette, is about as natural to humans as a diet of Cheerios to a lion" (pg. 122).

I...Read more›

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Product Description:
The first and only book that combines history, science, tips, facts, and resources in a concise yet comprehensive review of all the low-carb programs, so that dieters can choose the right one of them.

The low-carb revolution is changing lives and ordinary bodiesinto beauties, but the sheer volume of information on the subject can be overwhelming. This comprehensive guide cuts through the confusion, showing dieters how to choose and customize an effective low-carb plan for their own metabolisms and lifestyles. In straightforward language, weight-loss coach Jonny Bowden rates and discusses the differences between the top-selling low-carb diets-from Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution to The South Beach Diet to Sugarbusters and more-providing readers with the facts they need to make informed choices. There's also an explanation of the science at work behind low-carb dieting, and hundreds of practical food tips and insider secrets to make the lifestyle work.

- National Marketing Campaign
- National Radio Phoner Campaign

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The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person [Abridged, Audiobook, CD] [Audio CD] Review

I have The Beck Diet Solution, the book, which is excellent, but still purchased the audio book, to listen to while driving and doing other activities.

The Beck Diet Solution is great because it explains that proper eating is skill that can be learned, just as any other skill, like skating, knitting, or tying your shoes!It dispels the mystery behind proper eating and weight control ~ why it seems that some people are successful and some are not.It then proceeds to teach you the skill of successful dieting and weight control ~ and also teaches that to truly learnthe skill, you must practice it.And as you use it, you will see success ~ I have lost 20 lbs. so far, and it has been consistent.More importantly, it also teaches you how to handle the inconsistencies, which are bound to occur, and still keep you focused on your goal.

Specifically, in regards to the audio book, the reading is clear, and the quality is excellent.

After I purchased the book, I then purchased a copy for my sister as a gift.I so strongly recommend this plan that I would recommend buying this book or audio book first before starting any eating plan, as this gives you the road map to the the Land of the Thin!

~:)

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Product Description:
The Beck Diet Solution is the first book that teaches dieters how to apply the proven benefits of Cognitive Therapy to dieting and weight loss: how to think differently, change your eating behavior, and lose weight permanently. In fact, Cognitive Therapy is the only psychological method shown to help dieters keep off excess weight once they lose it.

The Beck Diet Solution will change the way you think about eating and weight loss-forever!

Written by world-renown expert Cognitive Therapist Dr. Judith S. Beck, the Beck Diet Solution is a remarkable six-week program that gives you all the tools you need to "train your brain to think like a thin person." This breakthrough approach-which works with any nutritional diet plan-shows you how to make the kinds of positive, long-term thinking and behavioral changes necessary to lose weight and to maintain your weight loss, not just for the short run but for the rest of your life!

Simply put, the Beck Diet Solution teaches you the skills you need to diet successfully and to keep excess weight off-permanently.

You will discover Dr. Beck's strategies for ensuring long-term weight loss-based on over 20 years of successfully coaching dieters in her practice-including ways to:
* Learn to stick to any diet.
* Make cravings go away-fast!
* Resist tempting foods.
* Deal with "trigger" eating situations.
* Say, "No, thank you," to food pushers.
* Put an end to emotional eating.
* Conquer every excuse to overeat.
* Find time to exercise.
* Lose excess weight and keep it off for a lifetime!

Give yourself the mental and emotional foundation you need to succeed with The Beck Diet Solution.

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The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet: Plus Dr. Tarnower's Lifetime Keep-Slim Program [Mass Market Paperback] Review

I love this diet! I have 3 small children and no time to exercise. Mymother gave me a copy of this book 12 years ago to remove weight that hadpiled on in Europe. It worked great and now that I am done breastfeeding my3rd child, I plan on using this to get off the rest of my pregnancy weight,I have already lost 16 lbs. I find the menus to be simple to follow andeasy to prepare. I grill all my meats so that they have a great flavour andlose the excess fat. I really love GOOD Food so I do have to disciplinemyself. This diet is great for you if you have little time for yourself anda spouse in grad school who's not about. Plus, I can feed it to my childrenwithlittle complaint. Just add some homebaked Scarsdale Protein bread(which I made in my machine)or a potato with butter and they'll gobble upthe rest. Also use good lettuce like romaine and fresh tomatoes. Dress upthe salads with Balsamic vinegar and use pink grapefruits as opposed toplain. I have also noticed you can use cucumber slices as a snack as well.I snack on Veggies all day and still lose at least a pound a day! This dietis much better than Atkins.

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Fit for My King: His Princess 30-Day Diet Plan and Devotional [Hardcover] Review

"Fit For My King" by Sheri Rose Shepherd is not your run-of-the-mill diet book.This is a 30-day diet plan and a devotional designed to change the way you think about food and how to see yourself as God does through saturation in His Word.This wonderful book is appropriately loaded with scripture to bathe your mind.It is packed with practical wisdom and wit.And the back of this book is filled with lots of yummy-sounding recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and beverages.

I'm usually a bit apprehensive about Christian dieting and health books because I've read books that promote products that you can only buy through the author's website.Although the recipes do talk about using specific products, it seems that the reader will be able to find the ingredients or make intelligent substitutions for some items.I definitely look forward to making some of these dishes.

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Product Description:
Sheri Rose Shepherd has been leading women to a better life through Christ for years. Her Princess books for adult women speak to a need women have to be loved, especially by their Creator. Now Shepherd offers specific help to women so that they can take care of the body God gave them and draw closer to him at the same time.Readers start with Shepherd's own inspirational story about her struggles to treat her body well by eating real food, exercising, and praying. She invites readers to sign a covenant in which they agree to jump-start a diet using specific guidelines. Readers are supported with 30 days of personable and helpful devotions with plenty of stories, suggestions for exercise, and appropriate Scripture. Shepherd even includes many of her favorite tasty recipes to keep women on track.Sheri Rose Shepherd has a gift for speaking straight to women's hearts and souls. Because of that, women will use this book, talk about it, and share it with others.

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Flat Belly Diet! for Men [Hardcover] Review

Open the book up to pages 8-9 and look at the smile on MY face!That is me, Anthony Henry.I was one of the men who was part of the test panel.I was not paid to test the plan or to write this review.To be completely transparent we were given a Saucony messenger bag that had a Contigo 24oz water bottle & a copy of the flat belly cook book in it.I was also allowed to keep the shirt you see me wearing in the book but that was a gift from the stylist.In total it was less than $100.I did, however, have to make three trips into the publishers office for weigh-ins, measurements, and photos.With travel each took over three hours.In the end it all evened out.



As I said look at the smile on my face.This program helped me get my life back on track.Since completing the test panel I have run a half marathon & raised over $14,000 for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.Before this program I wouldn't have been able to run two miles let alone a half marathon.I found the food to be delicious and I tried things I might never have tried, or heard of, before, like Tahini butter (made from sesame seeds).Before this book I LOVED Skippy peanut butter sandwiches.Now it is strictly natural peanut butter for me.I made several of the recipes with my favorite being the chili.More than a cookbook this is a guide.You don't HAVE to use all the spices but they will help with your metabolism and open you up to new flavors.I am not the world's greatest cook but I do follow directions pretty well.This book directed me to saving my life.It taught me portion control and how to make intelligent choices.I learned how to swap out bad food for good food.



You may not like all of the recipes in the book but it is a diet book, not a cookbook.It will teach you the right way to eat and you can learn to make foods that you enjoy in a more healthy way.The program works.I highly recommend buying the book and working the system.My family, a few friends, and some of the guys at the firehouse are now using it.I can honestly say that this book saved my life and it will help you drastically improve your life too.It's not a diet book, it's a life changing book.

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Product Description:
Eat your way to six-pack abs! Flat bellies aren't just for wives and girlfriends! Now the New York Times bestseller The Flat Belly Diet!, the only diet that specifically targets belly fat, has been revamped just for men. With mouthwatering meals that fill you up and boost your energy, losing weight will never be the same. You've noticed that your belly just hasn't stopped growing since you hit the big 4-0. You're not alone-once you hit middle age, that extra beer with the guys or last night's bucket of fried chicken starts to show itself-in the form of your belly, spilling out over your pants, putting your buttonholes to the test, and distancing you evermore from your toes. If no amount of sit ups, boxing workouts or early morning runs has deflated your flab the way it did when you were 20 years old, it's time to up your game. Turn to The Flat Belly Diet! for Men to:

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Lean for Life : The Clinically-Proven Step-By-Step Plan for Losing Weight Rapidly and Safely...and Controlling It for Life! [Illustrated] (Paperback) Review

Over the years I have written a number of diet book reviews ... I am happy to say that LEAN FOR LIFE is the last diet book I will need to review. LEAN FOR LIFE WORKS and I don't need to read anymore diet books!
The book "Lean For Life" has since been updated and retitled. It's now called "Lean For Life Phase One" and is available ... and at leanforlife.com. I would advise purchasing the new version instead of shelling out the extra money for an out of print copy of the original Lean for Life.
Lean for Life Phase One is a book that you do. Each day you are given step by step directions to follow to mentally and physically achieve your weight loss goals.
The program begins with a "prep" period where you buy the items you need for the diet and prepare yourself mentally.
The next 3 days are protein days. You select protein choices from a given list. I was shocked to find that it was easy. I ate cheese, yogurt, drank milk, protein bars, nibbled on chicken, eggs and more.
This is followed by a period where you add vegetables, grains and fruit from a list. The program is designed to get your body in a state of ketosis so you do not experience cravings, mood problems etc. AND IT WORKS!
On previous programs I had cravings for sweets and could not stick with the plan. But with LFL your cravings (if any) are very manageable and you eat so you are not hungry!
Each day adds in new mental concepts to work on to learn to become LEAN FOR LIFE. Exercise is also included - how much to do and when to do it for best effect.
After a cycle of weight loss you go into a period of metabolic adjustment adding in yet more food. Then you can repeat the cycle of weight loss if you need to lose more or you can go on to the carefully designed maintenance plan. Everything is planned out so you will become LEAN FOR LIFE and not gain the weigh back!
I have lost weight quickly, safely and with ease. It's a wonderful program and I highly recommend it! I am finally achieving my weight loss goals thanks to LEAN FOR LIFE!

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Product Description:
Whether you choose to lose 5, 50, or 500 pounds, you will find this remarkable, results-oriented book -- and the clinically proven programme it features -- a dynamic roadmap to results! Developed with experience from five million patient treatments at the renowned Lindora Medical Clinics, this innovative three-phase approach to weight loss has changed the lives -- and bodies -- of more than 150,000 men, women, and teenagers since 1971. Lean for Life guides you through the programme day by day, offering practical, proven 'success strategies' and sharing inspiring insights from people who have lost between 20 and 450 pounds -- and kept it off! It also serves as a gateway to an unprecedented reader support system, including the Lean for Life World Wide Web Site, newsletter, and telephone hotline. This landmark programme has helped people all over the world achieve their weight-loss goals.

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Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life [Paperback] Review

Thrive Diet is a relatively easy to follow program for athletes that have food allergies, are vegan, or just want to get their nutrition from whole foods. The hardest thing of going plants only is accepting you can get solid protein and nutrition. Thankfully, the author knows how to research and presents his findings dispassionately and with reason. The page on protein powders is worth the book itself. No where else have I found this information, and I've been looking through all vegan, vegetarian, and bodybuilding books. Keep in mind that this book is soy and tofu free, due to the author's concerns with allergies. That's a good thing. Tofu/Soy products are used MORE in N. America. I'm not anti-soy. Just pro-variety (and frankly soy hasn't gotten me to where I want to be anyhow.)

An important part of this book are the early chapters on different types of stress and how nutrition can assist recuperation. The author is not a big supplement taker, and focuses on nourishment rather than calories/protein/carbs counting.The recipes are simple to prepare. It's actually, dare I say it, kind of lazy food prep, minimal tools (food processor & blender), and maximum return. These are positives. Other vegan cookbooks have 20 steps, consume an hour of time and the end result is just a side dish. Of potatoes....

Now, the book is affordable, but there's a sticker shock that comes from going whole foods whole cloth. Thankfully I have a Whole Foods within 8 miles. They had most everything on the list, except yellow pea protein powder. The clerk said the co. that made that went bankrupt, so it's put a lot of folks in a lurch.My total bill? $227.00 The protein powders are about $15 each, the oils are around that price point, and maca and chlorella cost $15 a bottle.AND THIS IS WITH ALMOST NO PRODUCE OR VEGETABLES. $227. The upside is the convenience of Whole Foods having all this stuff. Nutrition costs...

I copied the shopping list to a pdf at orlandont dot com. Click on the Thrive link. Again, it's costly to just jump into it, so maybe transition using the energy bar recipes and grow from there.Still, this book is awesome and if you're serious about training or casually interested in losing weight or just understanding HOW your body functions, get this book.

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Product Description:
The thrive diet is a long-term eating plan to help all athletes (professional or not) develop a lean body, sharp mind, and everlasting energy. As one of the few professional athletes on a plant-based diet, Brendan Brazier researched and developed this easy-to-follow program to enhance his performance as an elite endurance competitor.
Brazier clearly describes the benefits of nutrient-rich foods in their natural state versus processed foods, and how to choose nutritionally efficient, stress-busting whole foods for maximum energy and health. Featuring a 12-week meal plan, over 100 allergen-free recipes with raw food options-including recipes for energy gels, sport drinks, and recovery foods-and a complementary exercise plan, The Thrive Diet is "an authoritative guide to outstanding performance" (Neal D. Barnard, M.D., Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine).

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