Customer Reviews

Carbohydrate Addicts Diet

5 star:		(183)
4 star:		(62)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(26)
1 star:		(31)

 

 

I read the book entirely in one sitting, the very night I bought it. Then I studied it at length many times, highlighting, making notes in the margins. As a registered nurse, I learned a lot from the references to their research, and their detailed explanation of hyperinsulinemia. They have over 100 references, and 10 years or more in research of this disorder. It was as though a veil had been lifted and I suddenly understood that my condition is physiological, NOT psychological! I have found a new beginning. I know many doctors who recommend this diet for weight loss, depression, high blood pressure, pre-diabetic conditions, high cholesterol. I cannot diagnose myself, but I know it is working for me. I have been on the diet for 6 months and have lost 62 lbs! I don't weigh and measure, count calories, or deprive myself of any of my favorite foods. I feel better, no cravings, and I have more energy than ever! and above all, I am only 18 lbs away from my goal...6 months ago I would NEVER have thought it possible. Give it a try, and follow the 4 rules...you will succeed.

I didn't see the Oprah show but I used this book in 95. I had been sticking to a low-low-low fat diet at the time and was gaining about 2 pounds a year. The test in the book classified me as a light-to-moderate carbohydrate addict, but the people in the book had so much in common with me that I think I was more addicted than that. Anyway, sticking with the book, I completely eliminated all starch and sugar from EVERY meal and ALL snacks, except for the reward dinner, where I would eat whatever I wanted (pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, chinese food). During the day I would eat lots of fatty, greasy burgers and bacon and eggs. To my amazement I lost 29 pounds in 5 1/2 months. It was not difficult to keep it off, either. I ended up "easing up" on the diet after this time, but kept the general idea of avoiding carbohydrates except for dinner. The weight stayed off. I never had to worry about fats again. And I felt very healthy and pleased. TAKE THE TEST in the book - the authors themselves stress that if you are not specifically a carbo addict, this diet won't work for you. Also, this diet is VERY VERY DIFFERENT from a general low-carbohydrate diet so don't listen to those who say it's all the same. I hope this helps somebody reading it.

One reviewer said they didn't know of anyone who's had long-term success with the Heller's plan , so I want to speak up. I've been following this plan, modified with some of the Hellers' more recent books, for close to 12 YEARS and am maintaining a loss of 100 lbs!

I'm a woman who struggled with weight all my life, lost and regained weight many times, and hated myself for not having the willpower to keep it off. I had pretty much given up hope when I found my way to this book. I have found it to be a workable, balanced and healthy plan. I eat fish, chicken, meat and cheese, tons of salads and other lowcarb veggies, and once a day the carbs of my choice. It might be a bagel or a bowl of cereal, garlic mashed potatoes, chocolate chip cookies -- whatever I'm hankering for. As long as it's part of a balanced meal, I don't have to feel guilty -- I'm still on my diet.

In skimming the negative reviews, I see a lot of inaccurate descriptions of this diet. Breakfasts and lunches are NOT protein/fat only - high fiber, low carb veggies are an absolutely essential part of them. I typically eat a brunch of scrambled eggs or quiche with lots of veggies, chicken caesar salad, etc. Dinner is not a carbo-loading binge - it's a balanced meal with my choice of starchy or sweet foods. Snacks are allowed - last night I was hungry and had some tuna salad and bell pepper slices at 9 pm. Having the freedom to enjoy carbs as part of my dinner every single day keeps the diet livable, and avoiding starchy and sweet foods the rest of the day keeps my appetite under control.

I hate to sound corny, but after 11 years and 8 months on this program, every day feels like a miracle. I've gone from having to sit down to peel potatoes (because my back hurt from standing) to having a very active lifestyle. My cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar are all great, despite the fact that I was borderline diabetic before I started CAD. Best of all is this joyous freedom that comes when realize you have all the willpower you need because you're not fighting your body all the time.

If you're someone who can maintain a healthy weight eating carbs all day long, lucky you. However, please don't think that's how everyone should eat. For many of us, high-carb eating produces insulin resistance, appetite control problems, binge eating and weight gain. Luckily, many scientists and nutritionists now understand this phenomenon, and there are a lot of low carb programs (and books) to choose from.

Is this the plan for you? If you've got a lot to lose or have struggled with a lifelong weight problem, if you feel hopeless about your weight and yourself, I encourage you to give this book a serious look. Rachel Heller is one of us and also a psychologist by training, and her empathy, kindness and understanding shine through these pages. I would also suggest looking at some of the Hellers' later books, such as the Carbohydrate Addict's Lifespan Program, because their understanding has grown over the years. I hope the Hellers' program makes as much difference in your life as it has in mine, and offer my warm wishes for your success!!

If Atkins, Protein Power, The Zone, South Beach or one of the other low carb plans is working for you - cool! This may not be the plan for you, but please realize that there are many of us for whom the Hellers offer a very practical, viable plan - and in some cases a genuine life preserver!

02/03/00 The first week was real tough, I really missed the sugar & cream in my coffee and the scone for breakfast. After the 2nd week I now enjoy black coffee, eggs and ham for breakfast. I have salad and sliced meat for lunch. Every week I eat smaller portions of my reward meal. I am now on week 5, I do not consider this a diet, but a different way to eat for the rest of my life. Have lost 15lbs so far, Have 25 more to go. My wife has lost 8lbs.

Well, for starters, when I started the Carbohydrate Addict Diet, I was 25 pounds overweight after 1 year of marriage, which affected me really bad. I was moody, I did not feel good about myself and I knew I could do something about it but just did not have the energy anymore to try. I'm 32 now, but back in the day when I was 20 I had gained weight up to 180 pounds. At 21, I started a diet, started working out and within a year-and-a-half I went down to about 130. Within ten years I gained and lost about fifteen to twenty pounds, but I could never seem to find something that would help me control or help discipline my eating. Eventually I would give up and gain weight, then I'd get frustrated and lose it, and then it turned out to be back and forth for the last ten years. About three years ago, it seemed that I did have it controlled. When I met my husband,I was 145 and felt pretty good, couldn't complain, but as soon as we got married I was too comfortable and gained 25 pounds. I was at the end of my rope with this weight gain and was at home on my day off from work, watching Oprah and there were the Doctors talking about this great diet and how a person didn't even have to deprive themselves. I was thinking "no way", but I did have a positive feeling about this. So, it was about a week a later when I bought the book out of determination and know I feel that it is one of the best things I have ever bought myself. It gave me so much insight about MY body and why I would get these uncontrollable cravings, why I snacked a lot, why I couldn't keep the weight off and why I was going back and forth. I knew that since I was getting older that it was becoming even harder to keep off the weight or at least I thought(I needed something to blame for the weight gain). I started the diet on November 1 and saw the weight coming off as soon as the next day. I could not believe it--exactly what the doctors said would happened, happened. And, because of the reward meal and don't even feel like I'm depriving myself of anything, I actually feel a lot freer about eating and I have more of a positive attitude, plus more energy. It is amazing. Its like I was let out of a prison of some sort, a diet prison. As of today, Nov. 19, I have lost 7 pounds, I couldn't even lose 1 pound within the last year. I'm so glad I have this opportunty to share my experience and encourage others to try this diet if they feel that this is your story also.

I read many of the reviews on here before ordering the book, which was recommended by a friend (who is still doing well on the diet). I was skeptical but figured I'd give it a try. This diet opened up a whole new world to me! I was suffering from constant fatigue and drowsiness - it was so bad that I had undergone two hospital sleep studies to figure out what was wrong. I'd taken different drugs to help me to stay awake and accomplish simple daily tasks, including just feeding and dressing my toddler. I started this diet for weight loss reasons (I had lost all of my pregnancy weight and then gained it right back so I was determined to find a diet I could live with forever), but it turned out to have benefits that I didn't expect. After two days on the diet, I was no longer sleepy. I waited to write this review until I was sure the effects were here to stay. It's been 5 weeks and I have taken only one nap which was due to extenuating circumstances. For this twice daily napper, that is incredible. So incredible for me that I have the urge to have another baby, something I never thought I'd have the energy for. My only concern is working out a way to maintain the high-energy aspects of this diet while pregnant. The weight loss is slow but I have no reason to believe it will stop completely as long as I follow all three rules of the diet. I lost 10 lbs in the first 9 days but only 4 lbs since then. The pattern seems to be plateauing for a little while, then dropping a pound or two, and then remaining at that weight for a little while. But I eat whatever I want once a day during the reward meal. And I mean WHATEVER I want - donuts, bread, chips, cookies, candy bars, etc. I could not live with a diet that doesn't allow me these things; at least not for the long haul. I know I could lose weight faster using the starvation tactics I've used in the past but it's not worth it. As for the people who say you can't eat fruit and certain veggies - you certainly can! You are just supposed to include them in your reward meal, along with milk and other healthy foods. For the small investment of buying one paperback book, you can change your life, so if you're interested at least read the book! One note - I scored EXTREMELY high on the carbo addict test which is why I think it's working so well for me. It's not for everyone so if you don't score high on the test, don't expect the same results as someone who did. My husband is following the diet also and has lost only 5 lbs - he scored much lower on the test than I did. However, he too is eating whatever he wants and losing weight steadily. Good luck!

This book has changed my life! A common sense approach to take charge of your life and eating well. Not to mention loosing weight! I have never felt so good in my life. So, far I have lost 8 pounds in less than a month. I don't feel deprived or cheated. It is a marvelous way to get your life back after years and years of trying everything! Try it! It is remarkable!

This is the only food plan that takes the obsession out of eating. I started the diet to prove it wrong, there was no way I could eat a reward meal every day of anything I wanted and as much as I wanted, these people didn't know how I could eat! I have only completed the first week, with a loss of 7 pounds! I have calmed down about food, the cravings are really gone, and I don't get sleepy during the day anymore. You owe it to yourself to try it, you won't believe it. It's a plan you can live with. There is no reason anybody would have to fail on this one. Listen to me people, you can eat!

I have been fat for most of my life and tried just about every diet out there. I thought there was something wrong with me. I just could not stop eating junk food, even when I wasn't hungry! After taking the test to see how I would rank as a carb addict and found out how easy it was to follow the program I was amazed. I started the program on October 23rd and as of today (February 21st) I have lost 43 pounds and don't feel like I have deprived myself of anything. As a matter of fact there are others in my office on this program. One has lost 31 pounds, another 15. We are really on a roll. I would recommend this book (program) to anyone who has had trouble with their weight and is ready to make a change in their life style.

I tried Dr.Atkins diet and I lost some weight but I found it too restrictive.On this plan I never feel hungry or deprived because you can eat almost anything you want for dinner.I can have pasta,bread,rice ect.,these are all foods I love and on this plan you don't have to give them up.I never knew why after a big meal I would still be hungry.I would have dessert and had trouble stopping at one or two cookies.This diet has taken away my cravings.I have lost almost 20 pounds in 6 weeks.For me it works,I was a carbohydrate addict.Give this diet a try to find out if you are too. You will be amazed at how easy this plan is to follow.