Customer Reviews

The Low-Carb Bible

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The low carb bible is a large scale, hardcover book with a ton of information. It compares the various diets, explains why they work and offers practical recipes and tips.

The book isn't trying to indoctrinate you in the low carb lifestyle. It gives both information on studies supporting low carb as well as the concerns that some have about this lifestyle. It lets you make an educated decision about how to follow a low carb lifestyle.

There is a section comparing the main low carb diets - Atkins, carbohydrate addicts, neanderthin, protein power, schwarzbein principle, south beach, sugar busters, Suzanne Somers, and the zone.

Many pages are dedicated to carbohydrate counts, to let you judge which foods are better to eat than others as far as the sugar content goes. Then there are almost 200 pages of recipes with full color photos. They range from breakfasts and snacks to salads and full meals.

This is a great book to leave out on your coffee table and read in many sittings, looking over the exercises one day, the various diet suggestions on another. A great way to get a grounding in the low carb world.

Cudos to the front part of this book that provides low-carb fundamentals and reviewing the popular low-carb diets. The physical binding and good paper are pluses: these things get the 2 stars. But I found the recipes in this book disappointing. They are not what I would call low-carb, calling for no-nos in the low-carb world such as flour, pasta, white bread, milk, sugar, and so on. Many if not most of them use specific brand names unavailable where I live; is the book funded by BIRDS EYE, HILLSHIRE FARM, EGG BEATERS, FRANK'S, FRENCH's, etc.? I found many of the recipes geared to low fat diets, not low carb; it makes me wonder if the (unnamed) authors really understand the difference. Now, I appreciate the advice in the front part of the book about controlling portion sizes: this is one big difference between the U.S. (my citizenship) and Europe (where I live now). At the same time, I see some of the portion sizes in the recipes so tiny that it is the only reason the carb count is as low as it is. I don't find the recipes appealing or even possible to reproduce with the ingredients list. I regret having paid over $25 equivalent for this so-called bible. Sorry.

The author takes us through a step-by-step review of the traditional low-carb diets. i.e. Atkins, South Beach and Sugar
Busters. The importance of exercising is explained with regard
to fat buring and metabolic management. Portion control is discussed , as well as a presentation of numerous sample diets.
Examples of classic low-carb dishes are the following:
- Greek Isle omelet
- Szechuan seafood
- shrimp creole stew

This book has many practical examples of how to implement a
low-carb diet. Dieters need specific advice and examples which
have been proven by past usage of successful dieters. The linkage between increased carbs and weight gain is explained. In addition, the definition of simple sugars and complex fibers
is explained together with the dietary benefits.

I found this book at a yard sale, and as a low carber, was excited to maybe find some new recipes. What a disappointment!

At first, the info is great. The comparisons of the popular low carb lifestyles is brief, and then there's a chart comparing all of them. Nothing really new. But after that, the book seems to take on a different tone...it just felt like the author couldn't bring him/herself to totally accept low carb.

The recipes themselves are proof of this. All of the dairy products listed were reduced-fat, which as every low carber knows, is a big no-no. The whole theory of LC'ing is that going low fat was what caused the weight gain in the first place. Low-fat/fat-free foods are less satisfying and tend to have more added sugar (more carbs). So, why would you have stuff like that in a LC recipe book? Many of the desserts had carb counts of 15g per serving. That could be almost all of your carbs for the day if you're on Atkins' Induction!

Other questionable ingredients are regular peanut butter (not the natural stuff), reduced fat mayo, fat-free sour cream, canned cheddar soup, margarine, and egg beaters...I have never seen a low carb recipe book with these ingredients in it, lol! i honestly had to check the cover and make sure it was low carb!

and then i got to pg 312...it's a nice big acknowledgements page for all the nice companies who contributed the recipes! Some of the sponsors: Del Monte, Dole, Egg Beaters, Hershey's, Heinz, Smucker's...Companies that probably don't like low carbers very much!

and tucked away in small print at the front is the statement

"The nutritional information that appears with each recipe was submitted in part by the participating companies and associations..." This makes the nutrition facts given highly dubious to me.

Basically, this book sounds like it would be better suited to weight watchers rather than low carb; it's not like any other low carb book i have read, and i don't mean that in a good way.

I have Diane Carpender's books, and enjoy those recipes much more.

Also, there is a little paperback book called The Secret To Low Carb Success!: How to Get the Most Out of Your Low Carbohydrate Diet by Laura Richard. It is the most informative comparison of all the low carb programs that i have ever read. There is also wonderful advice for all phases of low carb, including how to overcome plateaus and what to expect. It is my favorite low carb book!

We are a family of 4 overweight people and this book is helping us get into shape without feeling deprived.

I love this cookbook. I signed it out at my local library and was surprised to find that this book is filled with a ton of recipes using regular food items as opposed to specialty or hard to find items that you normally finds in other low carb cookbooks. I am very happy with my purchase!

this has all the stuff you need to understand the diet, the rationale, the foods to eat and to avoid, and includes a lot of meals too

The perfect companion for low-carbing!! The book tells you which low-carb diet may be your match and explains each one briefly. Great recipes. Love it! Bought it twice over the years.

Great book as reference to cook by for many different diets. Some great recipes.Really good service.

A friend gave me this book as a gift, I read it once, but continue to refer to it at least once a week! The recipes are awesome, so many traditional dishes with a low-carb twist, you can really find something for any taste.

If you're curious about low-carb eating, or just want to incorporate a few low-carb principles into your way of eating, this book is a great resource!