The Dorm Room Diet: The 8-Step Program for Creating a Healthy Lifestyle Plan That Really Works [Paperback]

Daphne Oz (Author), Mehmet Oz (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2006

Introducing a fresh new voice and a simple 8-step program specifically created for college students by a college student—a complete lifestyle guide to eating well and staying fit.

Like many girls, Daphne Oz struggled with her weight as a teenager and couldn't stick with the extreme restrictions of fad diets. She was able to seize control over her health and her weight only when she recognized the golden opportunity offered by the major transition to college life. With the help of her father and grandfather, both cardiac surgeons, and her grandmother, a homeopathic practitioner, she developed the eating and exercise habits that would help her lose 10 pounds in her first semester. So much for the proverbial Freshman 15! All her friends wanted to know how she did it. Now they, and thousands of others, can.

Daphne's 8-step program shows college students how to stop eating out of emotional need and examine when, where, and especially what they should eat to keep their minds in focus and their bodies in shape. With warmth and humor, she coaches readers on managing time, storing food, and respecting budgets; helps them navigate the most common danger zones at school for unhealthy eating; and shows them how to get the exercise they need, even in a tiny dorm room. She also offers invaluable tips on vitamins and supplements, and simple, effective ways to relax and rejuvenate right on campus, so students can stay mentally as well as physically fit.

The Dorm Room Diet is a winning combination of the author's personal story and practical strategies that empower young women to use their newfound independence to create a healthy lifestyle while in college—and for life.

Daphne Oz's 8-step program for looking good, feeling great, and keeping fit in college:
Step 1: Get Inspired
Step 2: Get Informed: The Frosh 15
Step 3: Get Started: Healthy Eating 101
Step 4: Get a Grip: Where and How to Eat Responsibly at College
Step 5: Get Prepared: The Five Danger Zones and How to Survive Them
Step 6: Get Moving: The Exercise Factor
Step 7: Get Your Vitamins: Everything You Need to Know About Supplements
Step 8: Get Recharged: A More Relaxed, More Effective You

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Daughter of bestselling cardiologist Mehmet Oz (You: The Owner's Manual), the young Oz struggled with weight as a teen. Now a Princeton sophomore, she offers a range of advice for college girls hoping to sidestep the "Freshman 15." Those late-night study binges, tailgating and sports events, parties, TV watching and heavy talks can lead even clever Ivy Leaguers down the road to weight gain. No doubt inspired by her dad (who penned the introduction), Oz offers an eight-step program that advocates sensible, healthful eating, exercise and vitamin use. While warning against the pitfalls of high-calorie foods like alcohol, full-fat cheese and simple carbs, she okays coffee in moderation, bread dipped in olive oil, and chocolate. Balance is crucial, Oz notes, pointing out that one night of partying won't spoil everything if it's followed by healthy eating the next day. Punctuating her text with practical tips (stock up on wholesome snacks such as almonds and veggies before snuggling in for a study marathon, the author addresses her female peers in a breezy, conversational style. This is a great book to pack between the extra-long twin sheets and study lamp. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School—Written in a style similar to Steven Covey's "Highly Effective Teens" books (S & S) and passing along wisdom the author learned from her father, Mehemet Oz, author of You: The Owner's Manual (HarperCollins, 2005), this title is part dietary adviser, part survival guide for the first year of college. Specifically addressing girls, it is filled with quotes from young women, giving tips for staying healthy. Topics include eating habits for all-nighters and illustrated exercises to be done in the dorm room. While the dietary advice is general in nature, Oz chronicles her own struggles with weight and is encouraging to readers trying to maintain healthy lifestyles. Checklists, self-reflection questions, and boxed tips are interspersed throughout. The tone is upbeat and positive. Teenage girls will enjoy the anecdotes and learn a lot about staying healthy along the way.—Brigeen Radoicich, Fresno County Office of Education, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Newmarket; 1 edition (September 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557046859
• ISBN-13: 978-1557046857
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #710,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dorm Room Diet - Solid Lifestyle Approach for All Really, October 9, 2006

By 

Cynthia A. Wittum "CyndiA" (NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dorm Room Diet: The 8-Step Program for Creating a Healthy Lifestyle Plan That Really Works (Paperback)

Oz talks sense. From the first chaper, I was hooked. She suggested making a minor change for the first week. I cut back on one soft drink per day - from 3 down to 2. That was quite painless. I also took her starter tips - drink water before meals and don't eat closer than 2 hours before bedtime. Again, those were minor and didn't crimp my style.

This is not really a diet book though it deals with diet (as in what you eat). It's really about living well and making mostly good choices but not going overboard (and ultimately failing).

Oz is a vegetarian, but she said that red meat was fine in moderation. Go for only twice per week on that she suggested. I love beef, but I also like chicken and fish and can tweak that part of my meal plan. Chips are junk food, but a bowl isn't a huge deal. Just don't grab the bag and keep munching. If you have an urge for chocolate, melt some semi-sweet chocolate and dip fruits like strawberries in the chocolate. It really does satisfy that chocolate craving with smaller amounts of chocolate.

That's typical of her advice and things that I can handle and maintain.

She also talks about exercise and about supplements (meant to supplement and not take the place of good food). She's reasonable with her ideas here as well. I added some extra work out time (even jogging 5 minutes while watching TV adds up if you do it pretty often) and bought a basic vitamin plus B, C and E (all heartily approved by my doc).

Oz lost 10 pounds her first semester. This is not a crash course. She's down 30 lbs now (over 2 years I think) - just slowly and surely. And, she's maintained rather than yo-yo'ing.

I think most people (college or not) would benefit from reading this book and trying out Oz's common sense plan. Older readers might need a little less food overall and might not opt to go out and have a snowball fight to burn calories, but the basics are here for a good lifestyle plan that isn't painful and does work.

This would be a great book for anyone (females more so) headed off to college or in college. Oz has dealt with being overweight. She did a lot of research and put a workable plan into action. I think most readers will love her style and also will be able to use her ideas and stay slimmer and healthier.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A little lacking for guys, December 19, 2006

By 

Howie Campbell (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dorm Room Diet: The 8-Step Program for Creating a Healthy Lifestyle Plan That Really Works (Paperback)

I picked this up this weekend at a bookstore and I found it to be a quick read with some really solid advice. It sounds like a diet and exercise plan that is very doable for the average college student.

My big complaint, though, is that the book is apparently aimed for women, but that is not clear on the back of the book. It's only apparent once you read a bit of the book. The Amazon description does state this, but I purchased this in a book store. Most of the information can be applied to anyone (such as the eating tips), but the chapter that suggests specific suppliments provides only information for women. There are other instances where charts in the book only list stats for women when the same information could easily be included for men.

An easily avoidable omission hurts an otherwise very good and informative book.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book!!!, October 27, 2006

By 

E. L. Smith (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dorm Room Diet: The 8-Step Program for Creating a Healthy Lifestyle Plan That Really Works (Paperback)

The Dorm Room Diet has great information in an easily accessible format. In addition to being informative, it's a quick read and is well written, which makes it much more enjoyable than most diet books. Shedding pounds is never easy. But Oz tells you everything you need to know to be healthy on campus - and offers sensible strategies to help you stay on target. The only thing this book doesn't do is actually lose the weight for you. (And if you expect a book to do that...) The Dorm Room Diet gets an A+!!!