Customer Reviews

Different Bodies, Different Diets - Women's Edition

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After having read and successfully participated in the body type diets prescribed by Dr. Abravanel, I am a believer that not everyone benefits from the same type of foods, or the same type of diets.

Dr. Abravanel only determined four body types for women, Dr. Carolyn Mein, the author of this book, goes into much more detail by breaking down body types into 25 different categories! Think of the years of research that went into this book, and the potential to once and for all determine the best type of nutritional support your own body needs.

I discovered through this book, that I am a Pineal. My review is 4 stars out of 5 because I found it slightly challenging in determining my type. Initially I thought I was a Lymph, then a Thalamus. Only after I ordered her Body Type Questionnaire off of her website, was I able to determine my absolute type. Others might not have the same level of difficulty. My only criticism is that her questionnaire should have more psychological profile questions in it, and it should be included in the first few chapters of her book. Perhaps for the next edition!

I still highly recommend this book.

I used to believe it was just a matter of will power. It took will power to try all of the diet plans that failed me eventually. Will power is what it takes to ignore how your body suffers when you don't give it what it needs. Unfortunately, will power won't make a diet work. I struggled with everything from vitamin shot "medically supervised" diets to that liquid fast diet that worked well for Oprah Winfrey (for a while). I decided if it worked for her it would work for me. It was expensive in more ways than one. The weight just fell away. The problem was, so did my hair. It became clear that nobody can live with a diet plan like that. I watched as Oprah's weight magically reappeared. I know how she felt (mine did too).

I wondered why some of my friends lost weight on one plan, while I would gain. One of my friends eats like a horse and stays trim without exercising any more than I do. "She simply has a different metabolism," my Jenny Craig diet counselor said. Inwardly, I resented paying for those supportive little talks with her.

Anyone can look at us and see that we are different. The problem is nobody has recommended a diet plan that takes differences into consideration. That's what I like about the book, Different Bodies, Different Diets. The idea is that there are 25 different body types. Every body type needs different combinations of food to get results. This book dispels the myth that "One Diet Fits All".

At first, I found the book to be a little intimidating because it is 500 pages long. The truth is, the first 150 pages describe the body typing system and help you determine your type. It is easy to read because it is so interesting. Then you have hundreds of pictures of real life people that are examples of each type (some people will never be tall and slender). I was happy they used people of all shapes and ages, and not the "Jack LaLane" perfect bodies most fitness books show. Beyond that, there are 16 pages with the plan and menus for each one of the 25 types.

My slim friend found her type right away. I wasn't so sure where I fit in. I didn't recognize myself in the pictures, but the "Pancreas" type seemed close. I didn't really like that because I didn't think I was that heavy. I read from the "Potential Health Problems" and "Foods Craved" sections to help narrow it down. I have suffered from poor digestion, headaches and low energy for a long time, and I constantly crave sweets, but I didn't crave some of the other foods listed.

I wanted to be sure I typed myself correctly, so I looked through many personality profiles. I was surprised how accurately the "Stomach" type described me. Next, I looked closely at the eight photo examples of "Stomachs" and patterns of weight gain. All of the food and health issues pointed to my being a "Stomach" type. I learned that eating more meat, (even beef and pork!) could get rid of my sweet cravings and that got rid of my headaches! I have no problem digesting protein. I've always heard eating meat is bad for you. "Stomach" types need more protein, so it's not bad for me!

It is, however, bad for Oprah. Even though we are about the same size, and have similar proportions, I found out that she is an "Adrenal" type. Adrenal's do well on a vegetarian diet. Meat tends to make them gain weight. That's probably what made her have a weight problem. If I was a vegetarian, I would have a hard time getting the protein that my body needs to function at its best. I admire Oprah Winfrey, but now I know that the diet plan that works for her can't work for me.

Not knowing that different body types need different diets to be healthy is one of the reasons I had a weight problem. Now my problem is wearing my new clothes before my slim friend asks to borrow them.

In an age of "the diet of the week" book, Ms. Mein's work comes as a welcome to those who haven't found the right diet and lifestyle that helps them achieve optimal health. DOn't be fooled: one diet is NOT for everyone. How rediculous and nieve. Carolyn Mein first recognizes that we are all biologically different having different metabolisms, dominant body systems and needs. She has nicely expanded on earlier "body typing" work to come up with a comprehensive system of diet,lifestyle and emotional recommendations to achieve optimal health.

One feature that separates her work from others in this field is recognizing that our diets often need to change when we are ill or under much stress (especially critical for immune-deficient patients). Most others totally miss this critical aspect of diet.

Yet another important fact she fully acknoledges is that many type NEED meat in their diet. Contrary to some people's dogma, all people cannot and should not become vegetarians - even if they want to out of ethical, spiritual or social reasons. THis is terrible for certain types, while for others it is totally the healthy choice.

Don't waste your time with too many other diet books and just buy this one. You will have fun too trying to figure out your type. Try it with friends too.

I got really frustrated that there was a lot of repeated information at the beginning of the book. She kept saying the same things but in different ways. Until she finally got to the specific body type information (which, I'll admit, was interesting), I really wondered if she'd ever get to the point. I began to think I'd been "taken" by forking out $30 for this book.

Also, I do have a hard time believing that someone's dominant organ could be their eyeballs! The body-type info made sense but attributing it to different organs seemed a little weird.

When she said I'd know exactly what to eat, I expected specific information about portion sizes and frequency of eating certain foods. I just didn't find that in this book. Maybe it's there but I didn't find it. Having to sort through so much repetition got old. And then there was also the fact that she skipped around telling details about this type and then that type and just scattering info all over the place. It was annoying. And the guidelines she did set about the frequency of eating certain foods just didn't make sense to me. They were too vague. I don't know, maybe that was the point of the diet, that you don't have to measure or think about it too much.

I did, however, find my "type". I thought at first that maybe it was like horoscopes and that any type I read would fit me, but that wasn't the case. I read through the other types and my type was obvious. So I am going to try the guidelines she set and see what happens. She's certainly not suggesting anything crazy like eating grapfruit for a week.

I personally don't think the book was worth $30 but I did find it at least interesting.

While I found this book very interesting, I thought it was really confusing at the same time. I had a really hard time figuring out my type. The author suggests using "muscle testing" to find your type, but she does not tell you what kinds of tests to use. I tried to have my practitioner test me, but she had no idea what tests to use either. I think it is a really great concept, but it should be easier to "type" yourself.

I am a doctor, and use this book in my practice, and have for several years. The data that was collaborated to write this book is astounding. It is truly an amazing piece of work. There are so many diets and diet fads out there, and more arrive weekly. This is no fad. It is real, and it works. The only negative I have about this book is that it can be difficult for some people to figure out their body types. I have been 'diagnosing' peoples body types for about 7 years, so it is a bit easier for me (muscle testing is a big advantage).

I found the book read like a textbook. It was very informative, but once you find out what you are, thats it. I recommend a few people go in together and buy it. We have had a lot of fun at work finding our different types. I had myself convinced I was a Heart, but later after reading all the bios, found that I am definately a Pancreas....not very glamorous.. The profiles are very informative and interesting.. I do wish, in regard to the foods list that it went more in depth with the portions of foods etc. but I guess that is pretty well know anyway. I was pleased with my purchase.