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Summary: It all makes sense now
Review: After years of being insulin resistant, taking medications, etc., I now understand how it happens and what to do. This book is an easy read for the lay person, without being condescending. It confirms what I have felt for years: very sick when I eat the typical recommended low-fat, high-carb diet, and great when I eat as much "real" food as I want. Her emphasis on real food is something anyone can understand, and is easy to follow.
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Summary: Phenomenal
Review: If you really want to understand how the body processes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as Endocrinology 101, this book is a very good investment. Even for people who do not need to lose weight, I would highly recommend it, because it explains the basics about how the foods we eat affect all of our hormone levels, thus, all of the processes of our body. The book has further convinced me that processed food and refined carbohydrates are POISON. A very, very good read-- I was able to follow and not bored at all!
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Summary: Best balanced advice ever
Review: No hype. No extremes. A refreshing balanced approach to improving health and metabolism, and "dieting" that actually works! A good basic lesson in biochemistry that makes sense of why we (Americans) have been gaining weight and getting sick on low-fat, high-carb diets. Case studies are insightful and at times shocking in their extremes. Highly recommend reading.
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Summary: The Zone without the hype:)
Review: A clear explanation of why low fat makes you fat. It IS the trend right now--but this author seemed to be one of the ones with the science to start the trend.I have adhered to these principles before the book just explained why i feel better at 40 than i did at 20. And my kids don't have the sugar cravings of their friends!
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Summary: Best explanation of the effect of food on our bodies.
Review: I don't think that diet is quite the word to use in discussing this book: It's more than a diet. I follow most of the recommendations in this book most of the time: I have not yet been able to let go of coffee, and I also have a desert once a week. As a result, my weight has varied over three years, at the most, by 5 lbs.
I have spent most of my life yo-yoing back and forth from somewhere between 210 and 301 lbs. At the moment, I am about 192 lbs on a 6ft 3in frame. I am never hungry. My last blood test, about four months ago, was normal.
I liked the book because it explained why the "diet" worked in a clear easy-to-understand way. She also explains why fat got such a bad reputation from the original studies. I look forward to reading her forthcoming book.
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Summary: The best "diet" book on the market
Review: This "diet" book is a practical, logical way to look at food. Having been on the yo-yo dieting cycle since high school (over 25 years), I can truly say that I was sceptical at first. My sister followed the healing plan and convinced me to try it. After several months I feel healthier and have more energy than I can remember since being a teenager. At first, I felt that I would gain weight; the plan calls for so much food, especially when you're used to low fat, essentially starvation diets. After a few weeks, I was used to the amounts and no longer have cravings for all the poisons that I used to eat. I still have a glass of wine now and then and love grocery shopping without feeling guilty about what I eat or buy. My stamina during workouts has increased, and I am (slowly) loosing inches (I refuse to weigh myself, prefering to use my clothes as a measure). My trainer even says she has noticed the difference. BUY THIS BOOK; IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE (and maybe make it longer).
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Summary: The Schwarzbein Principle
Review: After following Dr. Schwarzbein's diet religiously for 3 months, my blood test results showed the following: Cholesterol remained just below 200, about the same as before. My triglycerides dropped from 248 to 80. My good cholesterol doubled from 25 to 50, and my LDL (bad cholesterol) remained the same, below 100. In addition, I met my goal by losing 16 pounds, and my waist size dropped from 34 to 32. I imagine that the results would have been better if I had exercised regularly. I enjoyed eating a balanced diet that included eggs, butter, heavy whipped cream, red meat, and cheese. My wife's physician was familiar with Dr. Schwarzbein's book, so I had no fear. A recent article in JAMA, Vol. 287, No. 18, May 8, 2002 by Dr. David S. Ludwig, M.D., PhD, THE GLYCEMIC INDEX, Physiological Mechanisms Relating to Obesity, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease, appears to support Dr. Schwarzbein's program. Dr. Ludwig's study was supported by grants from the National Institutue of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
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Summary: Don't read this book if you want to be a Sumo Wrestler
Review: Dr. Schwarzbien - if you're reading this, would you slap your monitor? . . . it's the best I can do to give you a long-distance "High 5" for this "out of the box" book of yours! The Schwarzbein Principle reminds me of a story about a man who runs into Death. Frightened by the encounter, he goes to his master and begs for the fastest horse so he can get away to Tehran that night. The master agreed and soon the only evidence of the man was a cloud of dust. That evening, the master himself met Death. "Why did you frighten my servant so? asked the master. "I wasn't trying to frighten him," said Death, "I only expressed surprise to see him still here when our appointment was in Tehran tonight. Now, substitute "Death" with "Fat." It seems we've run right to being fat by trying to avoid it, as well as protein, on the horse of "Low-Fat, Complex Carb" diets. I've not been perfect, but after 2 1/2 months I can now add my voice to the Amazon choir and report an inch lost everywhere except my hips/waist - and they've gone down 1 1/2 inches. I know the tape measure doesn't lie, but sometimes it can have an imagination. But, it can't fake 1 1/2 inches no matter how much I inhale and try to "puff up." The first month was scary and I actually thought I was gaining. Glad I stuck it out. I'll be ordering your next book as soon as it hits the virtual shelves!
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Summary: So many myths dispelled about the way we've been told to eat
Review: This book is incredible! As a result, I've completely changed the eating habits of my family. We've only been doing this a week, but already feel more energized and rested. More importantly, my eyes were opened to what was happening inside my body with all the junk I was feeding it. I realized what a victim I had been to treating symptoms of wacked hormones, high insulin and low seratonin levels with prescription drugs that only masks the problem, while potentially causing further damage. I've been on antidepressants and thyroid medication for years and have been taking a prescription appetite suppressant to lose weight for the last 3. Additionally, I suffer (I say this in the present tense as I'm only in my 1st week and not completely healed) from ensomnia, acne, low energy, blurred vision -- you name it! I'm a mess. As I read this book, I got chills (did Dr. Schwarzbein write this for me?) -- I suffer from a poor diet!!! I have never been disciplined enough to follow someone's diet program, but the beauty is this isn't a diet program. It's education on what our bodies need and detailed explanations are provided on why we need it. It also explains, in detail, why we thought low fat foods were healthy and the opposite effects they actually have. As a result, I'm waving "good bye" to my prescriptions (obviously, not recommended for everyone). As someone who historically lacks self discipline with my eating habits, I've refreshingly found that I no longer desire sweets and other high carb foods. I now "get it!" I've been spreading the news to my friends and family who are now going out to buy the book for themselves (I won't part with mine). It's revolutionary!
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Summary: College Girl Approves
Review: As a college freshman at an all girl's school, I have seen my share of eating disorders, from those who skimp on calories to prevent weight-gain to those who eat chips and waffles for sustinence. I myself have struggled with eating over the past two years, wondering how I could maintain an athletic figure and eat healthy, balanced, tasty meals at the same time. Now that I am planning to study to become a nutritionist, I have been reading more and more articles and books on the "diet" industry and so far, Dr. Swcharzbein's book has made the most sense to me. I have decided to try this eating pattern for a month, and now, after the first week, I already feel better about myself and my eating habits, and people are already telling me that I look great! Plus, I don't get those carb/sugar craving at 1 in the morning, and I don' t have that "noise" in my head that Dr. Schwarzbein mentions as a drive for many dieters to cheat. Not having to count calories is the best part and it makes me feel so good to know that I am eating natural foods and as a side benefit, losing weight and maintaining a healthy figure at the same time. I wish that all the girls at my school could be as "health-educated" as I by this book. Give the meal plan a try, but be sure to really read the book first so that you understand why you're suddenly "allowed" to have butter and oils on a regular basis. Otherwise, you're liable to slip back into cutting good fats like these out of your diet when you continue to hear about the low-fat diet rage in magazines and on TV. Even knowing the reasoning behind this diet still makes it mentally difficult for me sometimes to justify eating a sausage and cheese omlette, something I never would have done in the past. It can't hurt to give this eating plan (NOT a diet) a try, and if after a month you feel good internally and externally, stick with it! I'll let you know how I did in a month:)
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