97 of 104 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lots of theory masking a simple concept, June 26, 2002
This review is from: Turn Off the Fat Genes: The Revolutionary Guide to Losing Weight (Paperback)
This could have been a much shorter book; on dozens of occasions, I found myself thinking, "Oh, come on; skip the theory, and let's cut to the chase! Enough obscure biochemistry already, just tell me what to eat, and we'll be all done!"
Well, OK; I'm impatient. And too much theory is always preferable to too little. The diet recommendations are basically the sound, healthy diet recommendations we've been getting for years: eat whole grains, more fruit, more vegetables, less fat, less sugar, and exercise more. The presentation is unique, in that Dr. Barnard suggests that this diet will somehow 'trick' our genes into making us slim. Well, this diet would make anyone slim, regardless of their genetic structure. Perhaps the book sheds light on why what happens, happens; but the actual recommendations are nothing new. I deducted one point for this reason alone; taking the same, tired old idea and putting a new wrapper on it doesn't make it a new idea. This book is not about do it yourself gene therapy, despite the sexy title; it's a vegetarian diet, and that's it.
One thing that I did like was the included meal planner; Similarly, I also appreciated the many, many recipes that make up the last half of the book. It's nice to start a diet with much of the hard work - the diet planning - already done for you. There's also a sourcing guide, if some of the raw materials prove hard to find. Something that is absent, is a discussion of vitamin and mineral supplements (although Dr. Barnard does mention the importance of B12). Multivitamins are a contentious issue; many feel that 'you can get all the nutrition you need with a knife and fork', while still others feel that concentrated multivitamins are not well absorbed, and tend to pass through the system without providing benefit. Personally, I believe high quality multivitamins are important; but aside from suggesting the consumption of any common, inexpensive multivitamin, Dr. Barnard makes no suggestions, one way or the other.
Dr. Barnard also does not mention alcohol consumption in his book; nor does he mention artificial sweetener use. However, on websites that he has participated in creating, he warns against alcohol consumption (cancer risk). I guess that, after making the major change to a vegetarian diet, Dr. Barnard felt we might need a drink. He might well be right.
The diet does not include specific portions; indeed, Dr. Barnard suggests that you let hunger be your guide. He does provide a 'rule of thumb' that you should consume 10 calories daily for each pound of your target weight; that is, if you want to wind up at 150 pounds, you should consume 1,500 calories daily. But this is only a guide, not an absolute. Indeed, he warns against eating too little, and suggests that we should eat second helpings if we want them. There's no reason to go hungry on this diet.
The diet is largely a subset of a vegetarian diet in nature, but Dr. Barnard does not present it as such; his presentation seems to be coming entirely from a 'whats best for you' approach, which winds up being essentially a vegetarian diet (minus high fat items, like nuts). The motivation seems to be based purely on health, not ethics. However, it is difficult to determine to what degree his health beliefs have been influenced by his moral stance; Dr. Barnard is a strong supporter of a strict vegetarian diet, which means no consumption of animal flesh or animal products such as eggs, milk, or butter. He is also an outspoken critic of using animals for medical testing purposes.
In reviewing the reviews of his earlier works, people tend to fall into three categories: Those who felt Dr. Barnard was trying to trick them into vegetarianism, and were very angry as a result; those who were confused, because the philosophy of this book runs counter to high protein/low carbo books, such as Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution; and those who had actually tried the diet, and experienced dramatic weight loss. It is worthwhile noting that, while there have been many criticisms of Dr. Barnard, there have been NO reviews in which someone actually followed the diet, and failed to lose weight. Say what you will of it; the diet does appear to deliver the goods, while providing good nutrition from a solid scientific base.
(Yes, it's vegetarian. Get over it.)
While I lack the medical background to either validate or challenge his statements, I can tell you that the actual recommendations are largely in keeping with what you've been getting from everyone from the National Institute of Health to your local physician. (By comparison, high protein/low carbohydrate diets are pretty much universally condemned by government health agencies, universities, local health boards, and both doctors and dietitians around the world.) Whole grain foods, less processed food, less fat, less salt, less sugar, more fruits and vegetables, more exercise... sure it'll work. It's even safe. If you're looking for a sensible, sane, balanced approach to weight loss that is both informative and supportive, you might want to check this book out.
After all, it's gotta be better than eating a hundred grapefruit.
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39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazingly Delicious Recipes!, June 19, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Turn Off the Fat Genes: The Revolutionary Guide to Losing Weight (Paperback)
It is not to be believed how wonderful these recipes are! It even got me to eat eggplant (which I hate!), but now I buy it almost every week just to make the delectable "Eggplant Manicotti" recipe. Other favorite recipes from this book include, "Potato Enchiladas", "Polenta Pizza" and "Lasagne Roll-Ups". All the recipes are simple to prepare and I haven't run across a single hard to find, strange or exotic ingredient I couldn't find at my neighborhood grocery store. I have tried several of these 100% vegan (strict vegetarian) recipe's and they have infused my daily meals with the flavor I never knew was missing.
This is now, officially my favorite cookbook.
To top it all off, every non-vegetarian who has tried the recipes I've made from this book have wanted the recipe for the dish afterwards.
I would also highly suggest you try, "Melody of India cuisine : tasteful new vegetarian recipes celebrating soy and tofu in traditional Indian foods" by Laxmi Jain, "The Uncheese Book", "Great Vegetarian Cooking Under Pressure" and my second favorite vegetarian cookbook of all times, "How it all Vegan".
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