Customer Reviews

Quick & Healthy Recipes and Ideas: For people who say they don't have time to cook healthy meals, 3rd Edition

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book has really helped me to learn to cook quick and healthy meals. For those with diabetes, it lists food exchanges and ingredient modifications to allow us to work within common restrictions. I specifically liked the practical and down-to-Earth recipes. I found the recipes less esoteric and fussy than in the most popular cookbooks written for people with diabetes. Generally, most recipes feature ingredients that one is likely to have on hand. It compares favorably with many cookbooks in this regard. Suggestions for incorporating recipes into balanced meals were also helpful. This is a great turn-your-health-around book that can help you stay away from drive-thru windows for all time if are prepared to give it a fair chance.

This cookbook, designed for those who don't have time to cook healthy meals, has many recipes with few ingredients that are quick cooking, low in fat, and taste great. The bonus is that ingredients in the book are familiar. You don't have to trot off to health food stores or specialty stores for a critical ingredient.

Brenda J. Ponichtera is not only a registered dietitian, she knows how to cook in a way that's both flavorful and healthy. Taking the knowledge from her days as a dietitian, she has designed and tested 190 recipes for each volume of this book (Quick and Healthy Recipes and Ideas AND Quick and Healthy Volume II) which will taste great and keep the pounds off. Not only helpful for dieters, this book contains necessary nutrient exchanges and helpful information for diabetics.

These down-to-kitchen books can help anyone learn to cook in a healthy way. Sample dinners are included in both books and the second edition contains sample menus as well as pre-made grocery lists. Although page numbers are hard to find from the sample menus, a helpful index solves the confusion and lists recipes by principle ingredient. Each recipe includes a description and ingredient list and preparation time can estimated by scanning the instructions, but the stand out here is a table at the bottom which contains number of servings, calories, fat, and exchanges - a sure to help any dieter. Trying a sample menu leads to easy shopping (just put the list into an online grocery store, although check quantities before ordering), fairly quick preparation times, a limited number of ingredients, and tasty results (the Creamy Seafood Fetticini even won over my seafood reluctant friend). A valuable addition to this book would be a section on how to make a healthy weeklong dinner menu, but the sections on determining your ideal weight and calorie intake, as well as the nutrient analysis tables in the back are indispensable. With a minimum of creativity and time, anyone can cook well and healthily with this book, making sure it will have a place on my counter for years to come.

This book and the second volume were two of the first books I purchased when I first decided to make cooking healthy part of my daily life. They are very simple, and for a person with practically no kitchen experience, much less experience with healthy cooking, these books may make a decent primer.

However, she does call for a LOT of processed foods. The sodium content in most of the dishes is insane. Many of the recipes are so basic that even the inexperienced cook might feel insulted that they were included in the volume. There are at best a half dozen recipes in volume 1, and NONE in volume 2 that I currently use. My need for healthy cooking goes far beyond what little she offers.

Unless you are a brand new cook with limited resources who just wants to get your feet wet with healthy cooking, I would recommend against purchasing this book.

These recipes are easy, they use "normal" ingredients that you can find in even average grocery stores (I cannot find fancy gourmet ingredients where I live), and best of all--the recipes are tasty! This cookbook was recommended to me by our employee wellness program about six years ago, and I have enjoyed using it. I share with some folks who are not dieting or diabetic or otherwise particularly concerned about food issues, and they like the recipes too. That's high praise, and unusual for this type of food. The nutrition information, recipe alteration advice, and shopping list prep helps are nice features. You'll learn a lot in general, as well as having great recipes. Enjoy!

This is a practical book for people who want to start eating healthy, but may be overwhelmed by "healthfood" cookbooks. The recipes use a good mix of pantry staples and fresh ingredients, so you can keep the convenience of canned and frozen food while getting used to actually consuming fresh produce. The menus are realistic for normal everyday meals. The recipes are simple, but the procedures are not always the most efficient ways for cooking the meal (You end up using more pots or bowls than necessary). So far I have frozen the chili, the meatballs, and the chicken nuggets (fully cooked), and they have been lifesavers when I need a quick meal. I have also enjoyed the many Mexican entrees included, especially the Mexican Chicken Casserole.

I have used Brenda's Quick and Healthy Cookbooks Volume I and II in my nutrition clinic for the past 7 years. My patients love these user-friendly books. Brenda has done it again ! This new and revised updated second edition is a must for everyone who needs to modify the carbohydrates and fat in their diet. It is great for diabetics and people with heart disease and high cholesterol levels. What I love about this version is the practical weight loss tips, time saving ideas, and practical nutrition guidelines. I highly recommend this cookbook for every one who wants to cook healthy and has no time to cook!

I highly recommend these cookbooks for the busy family with kids. The recipes are geared for speed, TASTE, and appeal to all members of the family. No, these are not gourmet meals. These are simply recipes for the everyday "Oh my, I've got 30 minutes to put food on the table that everyone will like and have it still be healthy..." situations. This cookbook is worn and stained in my kitchen. The author also provides suggestions on how to create a healthy pantry so one is not running to the store everyday or if unexpected dinner guests show up. These cookbooks are for all cooks, and are especially friendly to the beginning cook or non-cook. Overall, both of the author's books are an excellent start to eating healthy without having to sweat the details.

This is a professional review from a dietitian and diabetes educator. A wonderful cookbook for people who want to prepare meals at home to promote a healthier lifestyle. Ideal for busy families, people at risk or who have diabetes, those who need to trim calories or lose weight and those who want to reduce their saturated fats and sodium. This book is packed with practical tips on shopping, motivating reminders, sound and up-to-date nutrition information and quick, easy and delicious recipes. This is a rare treasure and is especially helpful for someone who wants to learn how to cook healthy meals or anyone who needs more variety in their menus! I recommend it to many of my clients and they are always pleased to report back to me on their new success stories in the kitchen that the whole family enjoyed!

I use the Quick & Healthy line up (including Quick & Health Low-fat, Carb Conscious Cooking plus Ponichtera's other Quick & Healthy books) with patients and in my own home. I work in the food and nutrition profession where we focus on getting folks to eat better and healthier. Telling them how is part of the battle, and showing them how with delicious, easy and quick recipes is the other component. I rely on recipes from these books because they come from a highly qualified professional. I highly recommend this book!