The Diet Cure [Paperback]

Julia Ross (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 1, 2000

For the more than eighty million Americans who diet regularly--and without success--this amazing new program, based on ten years of proven clinical results, offers a revolutionary approach to nutrition that can safely curb your cravings and make you feel better in less than twenty-four hours. The Diet Cure begins with an 8-Step Quick Symptom Questionnaire that helps readers identify their unique underlying biochemical imbalances, such as depleted brain chemistry caused by too much dieting, hormonal irregularities, blood-sugar swings, food allergies, thyroid dysfunction, and a deficiency of "good" fats. Then it provides targeted strategies and nutritional guidelines to correct those imbalances, along with meal plans, tasty recipes, and inspiring case histories. Using amino acids to jump-start the program, readers create a safe, customized, easy-to-follow plan to end their food obsessions and attain their ideal healthy weight for good.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

For most health books, the word cure in the title is a definite sign to steer clear. The Diet Cure is a refreshing exception. Author Julia Ross has the unusual job description of "nutritional psychologist," which means that she works with people to eradicate food cravings, addictions, and eating disorders (including overeating). The gist of The Diet Cure plan is that food allergies, hormonal irregularities, blood sugar swings, and thyroid dysfunction, among other factors, cause biochemical imbalances that lead to food addiction and weight gain, and that these problems can usually be lessened or eradicated with the proper diet and supplements.

To be sure, most of these health problems ought to be diagnosed by a medical professional, but they often get overlooked because their symptoms can be numerous and vague (fatigue, depression, inability to concentrate). They're not easily diagnosed by the common managed-care tests (such as the TSH, or thyroid-stimulating hormone, blood test; Ross advises several more specific tests if a thyroid problem is suspected). Ross's questionnaires, worksheets, and profiles of case studies from her 10 years of clinical experience will enable you to determine what may be the hidden causes that sabotage your weight-loss efforts.

Ross's book should be lauded for its educational tone. She warns of the dangers of zinc and vitamin B1 deficiencies, two common problems found in chronic dieters, along with protein and fat deficiencies and adrenal exhaustion (which is particularly common in caffeine fiends). She rails against the most popular diet programs, including the Zone, the Atkins Diet, and even Weight Watchers, for (among other things) their ignorance of food allergies such as grains, dairy products, and sugar. For those whom Ross terms, perhaps frighteningly, sugar addicts or "recreational sugar users," she suggests an amino-acid and fish-oil supplement plan to curb sugar cravings and aid weight loss. Many of her patients over the past decade testify in the book that their environmental allergies and weight-loss problems disappeared after they cut sugar from their diets.

Ross's suggestions may seem radical to many primary-care physicians; her approach to health and weight loss definitely takes a holistic approach. She does, however, back up her suggestions and plan with references to medical studies, along with dozens of print and online resources on finding a nutritionist, naturopathic physician, holistic M.D., and testing labs (many of them mail-order). This is one diet that Americans in particular ought to pay attention to. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Ross, the executive director of a clinic that treats serious eating and weight disorders, has developed a method that uses amino acids to rebalance body chemistry for the promotion of weight loss. Ross presents her eight-step program in three parts: Part 1 starts with a Quick Symptom Questionnaire to check which biochemical imbalances you might have and reviews the eight types of imbalances; Part 2 gives recommended steps to correct imbalances; and Part 3 provides a plan for maintaining good health, including menus and recipes. Although this book contains much the same type of healthy eating advice that other diet books promote, its emphasis on biochemical imbalances as the cause of weight problems and its listing of specific amino acids as the key to the solution may be just the answer some dieters have been looking for. A useful addition to public libraries.AKristine Benishek, Shank Memorial Lib., Good Samaritan Hosp., Dayton, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books; Pub in Penguin Bks 2000 edition (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140286527
• ISBN-13: 978-0140286526
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,590 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julia Ross is a psychotherapist and director of Recovery Systems, a clinic in California that treats mood, eating and addiction problems with nutrient therapy and biochemical re-balancing. She is one of the most successful and well-known names in nutrient therapy, and lectures at conferences and workshops around the world to share her work. Her first book, The Diet Cure, was an international bestseller.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

127 of 128 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It is like a magic wand September 18, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

...at least for me! Her recommendations for amino acid supplementation worked incredibly. Although only 10 - 15 pounds overweight, I have dieted and "not dieted" since I was a teenager. By 45, I have learned that dieting, even moderate programs such as Weight Watchers, are only something I can follow for so long. I would always inexplicably binge, feel completely confused and completely without "will power" and note one more failure.

Though I would prefer to be slimmer, I have always been more upset by the fact that I couldn't "control myself" or follow through with a decision to eat healthfully and not binge. What wierd, psychological thing was causing me to do this??

Hello Dr. Ross! If only one, tiny thing stands out as a "magic wand" experience (and there are more than one) it was her "emergency" recommendation to handle cravings. Open a capsule of L-Glutemine and let it dissolve under your tongue. I have never experienced such an about-face when it came to fighting the urge to EAT IT!

From reading some reviews by others, I would encourage readers to follow her recommendations in full, not "sort of." Certainly everybody's body chemistry is different, but you will not be giving this program a fair trial if you approach it haphazardly. That said, it is a very simple program to follow: eat lots of protein, and lots and lots of vegtables and fruit, and take your amino supplements. No rigid combinations or measuring is required. You only need to make sure you're eating enough protein and veggies. (It sounded like a disaster waiting to happen for me - I never ate LOTS of either of those things!) Yes, the supplements do cost, but if you are a binge eater, believe me you'll make up the cost on all the food you DON'T buy any more.

Even if you are a vegetarian (for ethical or health reasons) consider this program. If you are as frustrated and demoralized as I was, it's really worth a try.

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Made sense & answered my questions March 3, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I bought the book one afternoon and couldn't put it down until I was through reading it! It answered so many of my lingering questions that weren't urgent enough to see my doctor about but which still concerned me. Julia Ross explains the problems, causes, and solutions in a very clear and understandable way. Now I am finally able to see my patterns of dieting and the troubles which have followed me since. Although I've spent a lot of money on supplements I felt better the day I started taking them; I had more energy and my constant need for sugar disappeared. To me it's worth it! I feel safe taking the supplements because I checked with my MD before hand and he said he took amino acid supplements as well. My doctor's only recommendation was to chart and observe the way I feel so that I can create my own plan and be able to maintain my mood and control my cravings. Julia Ross recommends the same thing: to be aware of your body and be able to help it help itself.

Definitely worth reading if you are interested in health and willing to get off the teeter-totter of dieting. Who cares about "double-blind studies" if you get healthy and REAL results? Julia Ross mentions the Blood-type diets which may have been "debunked" but I have found that I am allergic to the foods that Eat Right for Your Type recommends avoiding (dairy & wheat). Personally, I don't care what the majority opinions of theories are, if I feel better and am loosing weight in a healthy way then I'm gonna go for it!

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Miracle! September 28, 2007

By Work of Life TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am pretty savvy when it comes to nutrition and healthy living, I've read alot of books on this topic and have been eating whole organic foods most of my adult life. I avoid fast food, processed food, additives, simple sugars, wheat, etc. I add supplements here and there when needed, keep the meals balanced with the right amount of protien, carbs and fats, etc. I thought I was doing pretty good, at least in the top 20% so I thought. Well, Julia Ross has changed my life. Within a week on her program, the mental fog that has been slowly drifting into my existence over the past 10 years has lifted. My memory has improved as well as my focus and mental clarity. My sensitivity to life's pressures and stresses is cut by half. I have more energy and it is more consistent through the day. My carb addiction and afternoon blood sugar drops (I have often commented (half) jokingly about joining "bread addicts anonymous") are nothing like they were. After one week on her program, I have experienced a dramatic improvement in all these areas. The program lasts three months, I am truly excited to see the end results of this cure. I purchased this book for myself along with The Mood Cure for my husband and we have been going through the books together. We are both experiencing dramatic improvements in our lives. It is worth mentioning that I was not achieving results on the lower doses (she gives a range). Follow her instructions and increase your dose until you get results. It may seem like a lot of supplements, but stay with it and follow her instructions. Once I hit the right dosages, I got results very quickly. Julia Ross and her Nutritional Psychology colleagues call it science, but for us this information is a *blessing* of the highest order. Thank you Julia for making this information available to the masses!

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