Food for Life: How the New Four Food Groups Can Save Your Life [Paperback]

Neal Barnard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 1994

Citing overwhelming medical evidence previously downplayed by powerful lobby groups, Dr. Barnard reveals why a diet based on the new four food groups (grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits) will sharply decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease and dramatically increase life expectancy. He also unveils a 21-day program for a smooth transition to the new way of eating healthfully. Line drawings.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Vegetarianism is growing in this country, and the new food pyramid released by the Department of Agriculture has attracted media coverage. Barnard (medicine, George Washington Univ.) suggests his own food groups, which are grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Dean Ornish ( Eat More, Weigh Less, LJ 6/1/93) provides an introduction, but Barnard goes further than Ornish in advocating a complete vegan diet. He also goes further than Gene Spiller's The Superpyramid Eating Program ( LJ 3/15/93) in his claims for the health benefits of such a diet. While Barnard discusses the reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, and the danger of free radicals, he also mentions the likely effects of diet on balding, hormones and sexual function, early puberty, and general aging. Extensive chapter notes back up most assertions, with a few supported anecdotally. The recipes, though quick and easy to prepare, offer complex and delicious flavors and textures. This is recommended for collections on popular health and nutrition.
- Carol Cubberley, Univ. of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

Citing overwhelming medical evidence previously downplayed by powerful lobby groups, Dr. Barnard reveals why a diet based on the new four food groups (grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits) will sharply decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease and dramatically increase life expectancy. He also unveils a 21-day program for a smooth transition to the new way of eating healthfully. Line drawings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (May 17, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517882019
• ISBN-13: 978-0517882016
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very enlightening and well-documented, November 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Food for Life: How the New Four Food Groups Can Save Your Life (Paperback)

This was a great book at exposing the dangers of eating meat and dairy. Dr. Barnard's more recent books like Foods That Fight Pain are also highly recommended. A less than 10% fat diet is great for those who want to lose weight and keep it off, but for those who just want to switch to a vegan diet without losing weight, you may want to include a little olive oil or nuts. A little more fat also may help if your skin gets dry. The research on dairy products is shocking, you may wonder why most doctors and nutritionists keep ignoring the negative research on dairy. I have been a vegan for a couple of years now and feel better than ever. Just think of all of the varieties of fresh fruits, vegetables, various whole grains, variety of different beans, and different types of nuts available. Soy products are not necessary(I can't remember the last time I ate soy), so don't hesitate to buy this book based on that. Read the book about info regarding vitamin B-12 and vitamin D. Highly recommended.

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a Life Style/Not a Diet Fad, March 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Food for Life: How the New Four Food Groups Can Save Your Life (Paperback)

If you could only have one book for diet related information, this is the one to have. My original purchase of the book was seven years ago when I needed help eating balanced meals while learning to become a vegetarian. This book has it all from nutritional needs for different stages of life, meal planning, great recipes and even fast food alternatives and special needs due to various illnesses. I recently purchased my second copy for a friend (so I could get mine back) and she has also found it to be a great reference guide.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and worth reading!, June 22, 2005

By 

Elayne (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Food for Life: How the New Four Food Groups Can Save Your Life (Paperback)

I just finished reading Dr. Barnard's book and I'm reading it a second time! I found his book informative and explained in easy to understand terms. I think he makes a very good case for reasons not to continue eating a meat-based diet as the effects of a high fat animal diet lead to many of the popular illnesses and diseases we read about today (e.g., diabetes, stroke, heart attack, etc.)

I was not a vegan or vegetarian before reading this book and I know that some reviewers may think there is too much of a vegan agenda, but I would disagree. Plant based diets are a healthy and economical way to live your life. It can be particularly useful if you're trying to lose weight as well as if you are genetically predisposed to certain illnesses by incorporating the new four food groups into your life and possibly preventing or eliminating potential illnesses altogether.