Customer Reviews

Turn Off the Fat Genes: The Revolutionary Guide to Losing Weight

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

 

 

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.

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".

This is by far the best book I have ever read as far as food for a healthy life. It makes complete sense out of so many myths we hear everyday about different kinds of diets. This is a program for good quality living. It has information on many experiments and testing that have been done and explains the complete metabolism issue in detail. If you are interested in nutrition at all this book is a must read!

My boyfriends brother had a heart attack had to have surgery and then found out he was a diabetic. He tried Dr. Neal Barnards book: Dr.Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes --because his doctor told him about it. He lost 40 pounds and got his diabetes under control, as well as, his cholestrol.

Then we found out I was at a very high risk for heart problems (it runs strong in my family line-it's in the genes so to say) and I decided I would try this book out for my self without telling anyone.I surfed Amazon and found 2 other books by Dr. Barnard and bought them as well.

My doctor was amazed at the results and told me to keep doing what ever it is that I am doing. I told him I was using the recipts in the books and no exercise other then housework and yard work. He was amazed.

Turn off the Fat Genes:I found this book very helpful. And I used a lot of the recipes.

Since I have been using Neal Barnard's books. I have manage to reduce my cholestor from 223 to 111 and my blood sugar has gone from a 9 to a 7.5 and I lost 7 pounds in one months time. I am very impressed.

I went total vegan in the beginning then I slipped up once when invited to dinner but, got right back on the life style change. Unless you have the support from your friends and family you should avoid them until you are very commited to this style of living LOL.(Just kidding next time bring a dish to pass that you can eat.) Believe me they can invite you to some very tempting dinners. And it seems like they are eating everything you aren't suppose to like foods cooked with tons of butter, steak, white potatoes, gravy, biscuits, corn on the cob plus cake, pie and ice cream.

I bought 2 other books by Dr.Barnard from Amazon. Which if you are serious about a life style change you will find them equally helpful plus I bought a Glucose Index book.

Titles are: Dr.Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes (this is the bible so to say for my total commitment); Breaking the Food Seduction by Neal Barnard plus The Glucose Revolution. You can get all of these from Amazon as well. I have to tell you that they do repeat some of the same material in all of Dr.Barnard's books but, I found it to be helpful to me because you forget a lot and there is a lot of different material and recipes in each book. So it is worth it to me.

There is so much to remember and try out. I plan on continuing to use a vegan diet at least until I get everything under control and then maybe going to a vegetarian diet in the end. Not sure yet LOL only time will tell. I may find the vegan diet the best for me. Good luck with your diabetes, heart problems, blood pressure and weight control.

TURN OFF THE FAT GENE is such an effective book, I sent a copy to my son who has a wonderful figure so doesn't need the advice to turn off the fat gene. It's a really great book from which one can learn lots about what carbohydrates to eat and those to control, and what makes the fat, and what is stored in the body. Stored in the body. That's the best. I was almost a vegan when I read it, and now I am a vegan. Yes, my hand still hovers over the meat products, but I feel great. I'm not a holy vegan. I had clam chowder when I went to dinner at a restaurant a few days ago. Try this book and pass on the good word. It's terrific.

I would like to say that as a vegetarian I am in good health. I am now in better health since I bought this book. Inside you will find great recipes, hints, and a program to help you lose the extra pounds. Thank you Dr. Neal Barnard!

I picked up this book, thinking it had something new on healthy eating. Big error! Barnard presents nothing new. Eat whole grains, don't skip meals, eat several small meals, fruits, vegetables and the other lingo that any health conscious reader already knows.

I was expecting to read about how food xyz sparks gene abc and causes weight gain or loss. Instead, I got a lot of theory without intelligent analysis of the data.

His blasting of fat is a joke!! He postulates fat-free eating?! That I would say be careful, fat is good, it is just the type of fat. Cut down on the saturated. He even says no to Olive oil!! Now that totally put me off.

His write off on meats, chicken etc is another joke. Argentina main food is meat yet less than 2 in 10 people are overweight. Studies have shown that the bad rap for meat is misplaced and I agree. I think we should examine what we feed our meat. All that genetic modification is the culprit!

In all, save your money. Nothing new, trust me...unless your are a beginner, even then, be careful.

Do not buy this book unless you believe all dairy, meats, and nuts are evil and should be banned! This man is an extreme vegan and for those who do not know what that is, it is a person that believes milk, eggs, nuts, fish, and meats will kill you. Feeding chicken to a child is the cause of obesity in America today! Even breastmilk is demonized. Now that I have that out of my system, the greastest disappointment with this book is the utter lack of theory and the studies to back it up. On virtually every page of all his books (yes, I have suffered through them) are wild opinions with no references whatsoever. For example, he states that in an uncontrolled study (or, in otherwords, unscientific) carbohydrates do not cause obesity but then just a few pages later states that carbohydrates may cause weight or fat gain. Now which is it? I was the most shocked on his recommendation that diets with no fats and just vegetables and grains provide enough fat. His idea of turning off the fat gene is not eating fat all together and if you eat enough vegetables and pasta you will no longer crave it. Oh please, if dieting were that easy we would all be thin. His idea of controling food cravings is stuffing yourself with pasta or cold cereal but please no butter or milk. He says that all nuts are bad because of the fat level but for those of you interested Cooking Light has reported a double-blind study of women eating nuts for a period of time and reported no weight gain. Nuts are also full of vitamins and antioxidants. I find difficulty in his continual statements that if a person does not agree with him and his medical cohorts they are confused and do not understand the greater knowledge. I wanted to find evidence that low-carbohydrate diets are bad and wanted legitimate data to back his assertions but the studies are just not there. So the bottom line is if you want a vegan life, go for it! You can look as gaunt and sickly as the author himself in just six weeks and be just as fanatical!