Rating: 
Summary: Excellent theory but not enough details on diet & exercise
Review: "Breakthrough" contains a new rationale for the Pritikin program called the "fat instinct". Pritikin explains what that concept means, then shows how his theory explains why the modern (western) diet causes illnesses which people who eat "traditional" diets do not have, why other weight-loss plans fail, and why the Pritikin program works. Pritikin then spends some time defending his position on carbohydrates. The practical result of all this is a chapter on behaviors which can be used to "outsmart the fat instinct". This is followed by a too-short explanation of how to follow the Pritikin program, and then a recipe section.This book does a great job of motivating the reader, explaining why the Pritikin program is necessary, and it gives new information about the behaviors necessary for dieting. However, "Breakthrough" does not give a detailed explanation of what the Pritikin diet and exercise program is. The Program is explained in one short chapter with a brief description of exercise methods earlier in the book. I strongly recommend that anyone interested in the Pritikin program also purchase the book "The New Pritikin Program", which spends over 400 pages discussing things which "Breakthrough" just mentions in passing. Even though "Breakthrough" is the newer book, "The New Pritikin Program" remains the definitive explanation of what the Pritikin Program is.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent theory but not enough details on diet & exercise
Review: "Breakthrough" contains a new rationale for the Pritikin program called the "fat instinct". Pritikin explains what that concept means, then shows how his theory explains why the modern (western) diet causes illnesses which people who eat "traditional" diets do not have, why other weight-loss plans fail, and why the Pritikin program works. Pritikin then spends some time defending his position on carbohydrates. The practical result of all this is a chapter on behaviors which can be used to "outsmart the fat instinct". This is followed by a too-short explanation of how to follow the Pritikin program, and then a recipe section. This book does a great job of motivating the reader, explaining why the Pritikin program is necessary, and it gives new information about the behaviors necessary for dieting. However, "Breakthrough" does not give a detailed explanation of what the Pritikin diet and exercise program is. The Program is explained in one short chapter with a brief description of exercise methods earlier in the book. I strongly recommend that anyone interested in the Pritikin program also purchase the book "The New Pritikin Program", which spends over 400 pages discussing things which "Breakthrough" just mentions in passing. Even though "Breakthrough" is the newer book, "The New Pritikin Program" remains the definitive explanation of what the Pritikin Program is.
Rating: 
Summary: made me understand my body better in ref to food
Review: Could'nt put the book down. It really facinated me. Made a lot of things that were happening to my body plain to understand. Dr Pritikin really knows how to talk to a lay person. I started implementing Dr Pritikin's program even before I finished reading the book because it made so much sense. The program really works, and I'm never hungry. I love it!!!
Rating: 
Summary: I think I can do this!
Review: Finally, I'm reading about a diet that makes intuitive sense! Picked up this great book at the library last week and went on the program (they don't call it a diet) immediately. The program of veggies, whole grains, fruit, low-fat proteins leaves you almost constantly hungry, but Pritikin doesn't want you to remain in that state. You're allowed to eat whenever you're hungry, as long as the food is on the list of healthy foods. You're encouraged to walk at least 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week (to reduce your craving for fatty food), something just about anyone can accomplish. My husband and I enjoyed eating this way over the weekend, and we think we've found something we can keep up. The book tends a lot toward the theoretical side, and less toward the practical side, but I enjoyed that. Many of the suggested recipes have lots of ingredients and aren't what you'd make for an average meal after a long day at work, but other than that, I really enjoyed the book! I might just have to buy my own copy, when this book becomes due at the library.
Rating:
Summary: It works!
Review: I bought this book, read it, followed the directions and 7 months later I'm 50 pounds lighter. And I have no doubt that I can live with this diet for the rest of my life. Let's cut to the bottom line -- there is one thing I can say about the Pritikin diet that I can't say about all the others: It works!
Rating:
Summary: Good, but flawed recipes
Review: I have been through the 2-week Pritikin program in Santa Monica, so I'm pretty familiar with this lifestyle and have followed it for years. So I haven't read the text part of this book, but bought it for some new recipes. I have made two of them so far, and while I think they are (or can be) good, they are badly written. The quantities are huge and instructions confusing or incomplete. It's a shame because the chefs at the centers are very good and have some unbelievable recipes.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent facts to support a non-hungry diet
Review: My husband and I read this book prior to attending the Pritikin Center in Santa Monica on the advice of his endocrinologist. We served three dinner parties entirely from this book and did not tell the participants they were actually dieting - in each case the dinners received rave reviews. Not only that after attending the Pritikin Center my husband has lost over 10lb and I have lost over 8lb using recipes similar to the ones in this book. The tricks to eating are explained - first you must never go hungry - so its not a difficult thing to be on the Pritikin Program. Then you should try to eat 5 little meals a day. Then you should always start the meal with veggies - soup or salad - and put veggies on the plate first - before the meat. This book is for rational people that believe in studies and supporting evidence for a healthy diet and exercise-based lifestyle. It helps if you have a buddy to read it with and put it into practice. Its even better if you can afford the time and the money to go to the Pritikin program and see what a plate of veggies really looks like. This is a book that can be read and reread. It is particularly appropriate for diabetics and heart attack victims. Pritikin has helped lots of people get off their medications and avoid bypass surgery, although in our case it came too late for my husband to avoid surgery. Its best to try the program when you have a family history of heart disease or diabetes and you are not yet very ill - maybe your symptoms are just that you like to eat all the bread in the bread basket. This book also helps chocoholics and other fat eaters understand why they like their food and how with exercise they can start to prefer carbohydrates over fatty morsels.
Rating:
Summary: Pritikin Died of Cancer at 66. Why?
Review: Pritikin died of leukemia at 66. Or 65? Anyway, even though he called his centers "Longevity Centers," he fell far short of the average U.S. life expectancy. No question about it. Pritikin is far superior to Atkins. And it can have a good effect on heart disease and hypertension. But Pritikin shows that it has no significant effect on longevity. It cannot extend your lifespan. And it does not retard your aging. So it is deceptive advertising to call Pritkin Centers "Longevity Centers." The Pritikin Diet is unnecessarily strict. It is extremely phobic about fat, salt and sugar. And if I remember right, no alcohol. So many don'ts. Does an extremely low-fat diet like Pritikin make one susceptible to depression? As Pritikin suffered when he had a relapse of his cancer, he immediately slashed his wrist and killed himself. If you wish to lose weight and prevent cancer and heart disease, and also retard your aging and extend your lifespan, then I recommend you read The ImmorTalist Manifesto by Elixxir. It will tell you all about The Elixxir Program. And Elixxir, "the only anti-aging guru who has actually stayed young." Investor's Business Daily Even if you choose to experiment with Pritikin, you need The ImmorTalist Manifesto as your companion book. It will give you the inspiration and power you need to stay on a demanding diet. Yes, I'm biased. I've been on The Elixxir Program. And it's worked wonders for me. Lost over 35 pounds and kept it off for more than two years. And in the most healthy and sustainable way!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book for anyone who wants great health.
Review: This book is a great source of information on improving your health and fitness. It gives an excellent example of a diet to follow that will work and the explanation why. It also explains why the other fad diets don't work. It's one of the best diet and nutrition books that I've ever read. There's also a bunch of great recipes in the back. It's worth checking out.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for anyone wanting to be healthy
Review: This book is a terrific, logical, makes-sense antidote to the waves of fad diets that appear each year. With strong medical evidence backed up by the many studies done on participants in the Pritikin Longevity Center, this program is clearly one of the only balanced, sustainable, health-improving programs out there. Keep up the good work!
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