Customer Reviews

The RAVE Diet & Lifestyle - 3rd Edition

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I came to this book in a roundabout way. I saw a DVD by the author offered and well-reviewed at an online movie-rental site and recommended it to a sick family member. She, in turn, visited the author's website--mentioned in the movie--and purchased this book (which came with the DVD "Eating"). I have to say, I was suspicious. It sounded like the movie was a bait piece designed lure viewers into making another purchase.

As it turns out, that is not the case at all. Sadly, the diet restrictions presented in this book proved to be too...I don't want to say strict, because that would suggest a harshness that isn't there--so I'll say that it was too undesirable for this family member, so she passed the book on to me. I love it.

The book advocates an uncompromising vegan low fat diet. And by low fat, I mean LOW fat--no refined fats whatsoever, including oils (yes, that includes olive oil). And no dairy. And, of course, no refined foods or meat. Quitting meat was easy for me, as I would often go long periods without eating it; I'd given up meat a couple months before, anyway, to lower my cholesterol. Giving up olive oil (and yogurt and milk in my cereal!) is much harder; I miss cheese and chips the most.

But the author makes the change easier by presenting a compelling argument and effective refutations of common misconceptions about diet--misconceptions that are often deliberately promulgated by the meat and dairy lobby. Anderson's book is copiously documented, citing research from a broad range of scholarly medical journals and books. For instance,he provides compelling evidence to demonstrate that the body's immune system will not function to reverse serious disease until fat consumption is no more than 10% of total calories, but that when this level is reached and maintained, our bodies can and will reverse even serious diseases like cancer and hearth disease. Anderson is a health crusader, yes, but not of the sort like, say, Paul and Patricia Bragg, who make strong claims in their publications but provide no corroborating research. When Anderson makes a remarkable health claim, it is backed up by precise references to current, credible research.

Anderson also provides some recipes. I was skeptical about sauteing in wine or vegetable broth instead of oil...but I really don't notice much of a difference. I have tried two of the recipes so far (Basmati, Vegetables and Fruit, p. 174, and Curried Mushrooms, Avocados and Rice, p. 182), and both are excellent.

I wonder if this diet can heal a bad tooth. I'm scheduled for a root canal in a few days....

Mike Anderson combines the latest research in his easy-to-read, well-documented RAVE Diet. The combination of blunt simplification and substantiated scientific fact makes this book extremely important. As a Registered Dietitian, I offer high praise for Anderson and have been recommending his book to all my clients and friends. Besides delineating the reasons for eating a plant-based, whole foods diet, he also provides guidelines for the details about how to implement his plan. He offers excellent recipes, solutions for potential concerns, and answers any questions that may come up in day-to-day life. Overall, The RAVE Diet is provocative, brilliant and precisely what our society needs to read in order to ameliorate the current state of health we are in.

This book has saved my life! Since making this life style change 3 months ago, I have cut my diabetes meds in half and totally eliminated one. My blood work has come back better than ever plus I have lost 20 lbs. The book really makes you stop and think about how we are fed a lot of propaganda by the goverment and food industry. Well written and easy to understand.

I am a 66 yr.old woman, cancer survivor. Ovarian, nine years ago. Recently having undergone a P.E.T scan I was re-diagnosed with positive cancer tumors in three areas. I was told I was LUCKY as I'd already past the usual time frame.
I was given the RAVE Diet and Lifestyle book by a dear friend. What I read made sense as I've tried other things prior. I've discussed this with my Oncologist and he agreed to allow six month before surgery and chemo therapy as option. I was totally motivated and even excited to start this,very different, Lifestyle. I made a sign, taped to my fridge that stated:" Do you want this? Or chemo? June 9th, 2010 I started.I've bought a blender, a rice cooker, fresh Farmer's Market veggies and not one morsel of meat/chicken/fish/fat went past my lips. I went through cupboards and threw out anything that was not in the book.

I was given a scale for my birthday. Eagerly I weighed to keep track. Pounds just melted off. I felt great. I'd stopped my cholesterol medication as I was convinced everything 'bad' would disappear. I'd envisioned the cancer tumors just folding up and 'starving'. I've walked every day, first 25 min. now 40. It was not NOT easy but I felt much improved. As of August 19th 2010 I've lost 31 lbs. Great. Had my check up and bloodtests a few days ago.Couldn't wait for the happy, anticipated results, so here is reality: Cancer markers: UN-changed. Cholesteral UP 100 points. Some people say, it's because there's so little fat intake, that the body converts everything it receives--- to fat. Other parts responsible are the genes.I was totally deflated. I mean, it's absolutely wonderful to have lost the weight and so quickly but that was NOT the actual reason. I am disappointed to be sure as I had worked so hard and given up so much.But, I will continue this Lifestyle now and I shall post my P.E.T scan results when re-checked in October. Then we shall know for sure. I'm just not that excited anymore. ------- UPDATE: As promised, I'm updating this October 2010 after my recent PET scan. Results: One small tumor still in lung. Second tumor, de-creased in size the third one, TOTALLY gone. Bloodwork shows that it's better than ever. I've now lost 44 lbs and am feeling great. Will redouble my efforts, pay very close attention to continued application to remove the other two. THANK YOU. UPDATe on UPDATE: CA 125 blood test --Unchanged. Not up, not down. I guess it's a good thing.

I keep this book at hand at all times, referring to it for help in creating meals for my husband and myself. Not easy redesigning an eating plan for a meat and potatoes person. I became interested in this book because of its section on osteoporosis, as I've had an on-going argument with my doctor over my refusal to take the popular pharmaceuticals for this condition. (He has finally given up on me! I'm 78! He probably figures what's the use!)) I've not consumed dairy for years because of allergy issues, so I was glad to read confirmation that cow's milk is not needed for strong bones. I have "severe" osteoporosis, according to the bone scans, and I have a huge strike against me in that even though I walk a lot and climb many many stairs (we live in a three-story house) I weigh 98 pounds, so these weight bearing activities are of less value than if I weighed more.

I question his statement that spinach has more protein than steak. According to one source I found, a serving of steak has about 23 grams of protein vs a serving of spinach which has about 8.

I am still experimenting with the recipes. Some I like; some I don't. Typical of any recipe book.

The information in this book is very thought-provoking and makes perfect sense. We can hope that mainstream medicine will eventually catch up with the reality of our dismal American diet and actually DO something constructive. There is evidence that the light is breaking through. Occasionally you find articles in mainstream publications denouncing our poor diet and offering sane alternatives. Old habits are hard to break; so that is the challenge.

This book is packed full of information and contains very persuasive arguments regarding what you should eat and what you should avoid. I'm convinced. Our family had decided it is worth changing our diet and lifestyle. I know we will be healthier and happier for it. I would encourage everyone to read this book and decide for yourself. I think we are all worth the change.

I am stunned at the information presented in the Rave Diet and Lifestyle book. It speaks to health and half of the book is sightings of rather scientific research done absolutely showing the Non-Animal is the way to go.

For any thoughtful person who wants to know things like why all our friends and relatives have cancer, diabetes or obesity, how to build up an immune system or lose weight without even trying.

This book has opened my eyes wide......

This book has changed and drastically improved our lives. It makes so much sense to follow this diet and avoid all animal products, oils and refined foods. My wife and I have been following this diet (with a very few exceptions - rare moments of weakness) for several months now (since seeing Mike on a Public Broadcast program) and we've never felt better. My blood test results have improved significantly, I've lost weight, I have more energy and I feel wonderful. This diet is NOT restrictive or unappetizing in any way. I am thoroughly enjoying my many, varied meals. I haven't even come close to trying all the new plant food recipes available to me. I don't miss the harmful foods I've given up. In fact, they have become repulsive to me. Everything promised in the book has come true. I wish I would have discovered this diet years earlier. But then I don't know if I would have been open to trying and accepting it. I've told so many about this wonderful diet and its truly amazing benefits. But so many are not at a point in their lives (for many reasons) where they are able, or willing, to give up what they've come to know, trust and crave. I understand that completely. Everyone I tell about this lifestyle has so many questions about this diet. I try to answer those questions to the best of my ability, but I always include "read the book" because there is so much information in Mike's book. I am eternally grateful to Mike Anderson.

The biggest value in this book is the description of scientific studies on food and how it relates to human illness and disease. I found the arguement to be convincing, and the suggestions to be good advice. The recipes are helpful and have prompted me to do further research online to find even more, varied recipes utilizing the guidelines outlined in the book.

This book and program pretty closely follows many other regimens--Macrobiotics, Dr. Dean Ornish, McDougall, the Fuhrman diet, Dr. Shintani's Hawaii Diet, etc. etc.--all books and programs created by sincere, well-informed folks--often medical doctors--who feel that a low-fat vegan diet is not only the best overall diet for most folks, but that such regimens can reverse or cure a great many diseases of over-consumption. What seems to be different here is the vigorous drum-beating that Anderson and his staff engage in--more on the level of late-night TV ads where "wait--if you order right now we'll double your order, just pay separate shipping and handling!" And so forth. These diets are difficult for westerners, as we've all developed a strong taste for fat, dairy, meat, sugar, and salt. But easing into such a diet with oatmeal, brown rice, green vegetables, fruit, etc. makes it possible to change one's taste gradually.

Some of the claims made on the Andersons' TV/PBS presentation are worrisome--that HIV + folks can get their numbers down to normal through this diet--I feel would have to be scientifically substantiated.