93 of 97 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A balance of carbs (the right kind), sensible eating and BALANCE, April 12, 2006
With 60% of Americans currently overweight, something is still missing when it comes to finding that optimal eating plan and Dr. Schnur may have the key to what that is.
Imagine eating Spanish couscous, Ham and cheese egg muffins, chicken pasta salad and STILL managing to achieve a nice, steady weight loss. I'm sure this will be a shocker to low carb devotees but, speaking as a former low carber, I've lost MORE weight on the Reality Diet, feel better and don't crave carbs as I used to.
Committed as I was to "low carb" diets, I didn't exactly have high hopes for this one but was shocked to see the pounds coming off. Besides, I'd gotten bored with counting every carb and I missed some of my old favorites
So I was opening to trying something new and discovered that this is a truly sensible diet, with an emphasis on just enough fiber to keep your body operating at maximum metabolic efficiency. What a difference that makes!
Here was my experience on this diet (and yes, I WAS skeptical when I saw how many grams of carbs most of these recipes contained):
1. A steady weight loss of about 7 -8 pounds a month which adds up to 30 pounds in about 3-4 months. Sound too slow? Not if the weight STAYS off.
2. Feeling fuller than ever and actually having to struggle to eat ENOUGH calories, quite a novelty for a diet!
3. More energy.
4. More efficient and regular digestion.
5. No dark circles under my eyes - maybe because of increased circulation or a missing nutritional ingredient?
6 Reduction of wrinkles, perhaps from drinking more water or having better circulation.
This book has the strength of being written by a cardiologist, one who can give plenty of examples of how dangerous those other diets can be, based on people he's seen in the emergency room after they've lost something like 30 pounds in a month. The weight may come off quickly, true...but that isn't necessarily a good thing, as he indicates by the patients he's seen who've seriously impacted their cardiovascular health, their energy and their nutritional requirements.
Based on his experiences, Dr. Schnur advocates steady, realistic weight loss. This doesn't mean losing TOO slowly, however but at a pace of about 7 to 8 pounds a month - a loss that is not only sustainable but can be healthy.
And yes, there is a major GUIDELINE, a formula for following "The Reality Diet" which is a very easy guideline to learn. It involvesl learning how much fiber you need daily (and what types of fiber) to keep you feeling full, the kind of fiber that occurs naturally in food. By using this very simple rule, you can look at ANY food label and know if the food is appropriate for the plan.
This means that carbohydrates no no longer off limit, as long as they follow the guidelines established here.
I won't give the secret away because I really think you need to learn it in context with the rest of the book..and also because Dr. Schnur explains why you need the approximate amount of fiber he suggests - - and how that allows you to eat certain starches like waffles, some breads, potatoes and even pasta (the right kind of pasta). Plus, he has the cutting edge research that indicates how to make the most of this plan.
I found this to be a very sensible and healthy eating plan which even advocates regular glasses of red wine, in moderation. Who wants to eliminate ALL carbs? I certanly don't. Also, this diet is not Too high in fiber (too much can lead to bloating and cramps) but has the right amount, enough to make dieters feel full and to maintain regularity and optimum metabolism.
This is also one of the EASIEST diets to follow, with complete meal plans that include easy recipes that taste good (I LOVED the toasted Tuna and Avocado Sandwich, Vegetarian Stir Fry, Classic Hamburger and the homemade cranberry almond bars. The apple- peanut butter sandwich is an easy lunch choice, pakkable and good for those on the run. I could go on and on...and if you like to experiment with different flavors, the recipes will thrill you. They aren't run of the mill but they aren't overly exotic either. My kids were fond of many of them. There are lists of suggested foods and menus and I was delighted when my kids asked for the Tofu shakes nd Strawberry Custard cups. Did they know they were eating "diet" food? Nope.
If you've missed you carbs (admit it, you have, haven't you?) you'll go nuts for the Stir Fried Broccoli and rice and the creamy strawberry Tofu Dessert only take an hour in the freezer to come out with a very nice consistency.
OTHER MAJOR PLUSES OF THIS BOOK:
Handling restaurants and holidays
Exercise tips
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you really want to lose weight (in a healthy way) this is the book!, May 5, 2006
I think the reviewer from Indianapolis is on the money with the review. It cannot be put any better than that. I personally was lucky enough to have the diet available to me before the printing of the book and I must say that it works and you don't. What I mean by that is not that you don't have to try to lose weight on this diet but it does seem that way as you dig deeper into it.
Some diets seem to require you to "make this" and "buy this" ... or prepare this meal the night before. You end up losing weight because of all the running around you are doing to prepare your different meals. Other diets say "you can't have this". OOOHHHHH, let's think about this one. When do you really want something the most? When you can't have it! And you will want it because the thought has been planted in your mind that you can't have it. Those of you who have been on diets, don't you get sick of going out with friends and saying "Oh I can't eat that because I'm on a diet" and then you chuckle while thinking ... "Man I wish I could have that dessert or that glass of wine".
What I am getting at while making light of the situation so many people go through is that this diet is just as the name implies. This is "REALITY" and depriving yourself of things you like is not reality folks. "REALITY" is enjoying your favorite foods, being able to go out and enjoy your food while eating healthy, improving your health with healthy eating and exercise ... not starving yourself! "I am going to eat one meal today..." and "I've only eaten ..." are phrases that you all have probably heard or used yourself. Not the case with the "Reality Diet". I could sit here and write glorious things about the diet all day but they would truly just be words to you unless you try it. I urge you to buy the book. You will find that it will be the best money you've ever spent to accomplish a lifetime of pleasure for you and your loved ones. Let's be real about it. If you improve your health, others around you want to do the same and you increase your chances of living a longer more rewarding life (mentally and physically). And I would just like to add that if you are saying, "well I am 40, 50, 60 years old and it is too late ..." again I am going to use the phrase "let's be real" or in this case "get real". It is never too late to live a healthier lifestyle. Enjoy the book and enjoy your life! It is truly the best and easiest "diet plan" (I almost feel bad calling it a diet because it really is much more) I have ever come across in my entire life.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
