The University of California San Diego Nutrition Book [Paperback]

Paul Saltman (Author), Joel Gurin (Author), Ira Mothner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 1993

This is a book for everyone who has realized that there are no quick and easy ways to lasting health. It's especially for those who are fed up with faddish diets that might take off weight temporarily but demand unreasonable sacrifices and more often than not leave the dieter depressed and far from thin.

It doesn't have to be that way, according to the authors of this liberating and food-friendly guide that demystifies the science of nutrition. Not until you understand what's in food and how your body uses those nutrients can you make the best personal decisions about your diet. In this book you'll learn that the latest research proves that there are no "bad" foods and no single "right" way to eat. The good news is that you can eat your favorite foods without sacrificing sound nutrition.

In clear and very readable chapters you'll learn everything you need to know about food content and the recommended daily allowances, including the facts about vitamins, microminerals, body fat, weight control, heart disease, and hypertension. All this information is tailored to your specific life stage, health concerns, and level of physical activity.

"The University of California San Diego Nutrition Book" doesn't offer any "miracle" cures or secrets, but it does offer the unadulterated facts about the relationship between food and our bodies -- and that in itself is no small miracle.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (June 8, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316769819
• ISBN-13: 978-0316769815
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,261,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unbiased, sensible, and readable guide to nutrition, October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The University of California San Diego Nutrition Book (Paperback)

In this book, Paul Saltman approachs nutrition from the point of view of "What does the human body need to be healthy?". That makes this book a refreshing change from the typical approach, which is to dream up an unusual, usually misguided, diet regimen, then concentrate on selling as many books about it as possible.

He starts with the idea of TPN, total parenteral nutrition, which is how people who have had their gastro-intestinal tract removed are kept alive and healthy. TPN is administered intravenously, and so delivers nutrients directly into the blood. Over the years, physicians have identified 44 nutrients (water, sugars, minerals, vitamins, etc) that must be in the bag in order for people on TPN to stay alive and healthy. Guess how much Vitamin C goes into the bag? Answer: the recommended daily allowance. Duh!

Saltman returns to the idea of TPN often, as a starting point for his very readable discussions of all of the nutrients, starting with water. Along the way, he debunks a lot of ridiculous diets, and what a relief that is (yes! I can eat some fat! I can eat some sugar!). He has no axe to grind, no magic protein drink to sell, no line of sportswear, just this excellent book.

I keep the book handy, as a reference. I plan to buy copies for all the people that I care for.

Unfortunately, Dr. Saltman died on August 27, 1999.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book from one of the best people I've ever known, January 5, 2001

By 

studydna (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The University of California San Diego Nutrition Book (Paperback)

I had the privilege of being one of Dr. Saltman's students in 1998 and 1999 at the University of California, San Diego. After taking his courses in metabolic biochemistry and nutrition, and after reading this EXCELLENT book from cover to cover at least five times, I can tell you that Dr. Saltman's methods are rock-solid. Rather than focusing on any type of "fad diet", Dr. Saltman lays out the scientific basis - the what, when, and why of nutrition- in an easy-to-follow regimen. He helps deconstruct the myths of unsound diets and dietary techniques, and instead guides the reader to the understanding of WHAT we need and WHY we need it. I took his course in nutrition at UCSD (a 10 week course) and lost 45 pounds in the process. And never once did I feel hungry, tired or "cheated" out of favorite foods.

Dr. Saltman was not only one of the most motivational instructors I've ever had in my life, but also one of the best mentors I have ever had. He was the biggest student advocate I have ever known, and I am honored to have been one of his students. He is sorely missed and loved here in the scientific community at UCSD (and everywhere else, for that matter), but his sound beliefs and wisdom live on in this book. Do yourself a favor and go buy a copy. It will forever change the way you look at food, exercise, nutrition and weight management.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on nutrition I've ever read, August 22, 2004

By 

T. Schwedler (Redlands, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The University of California San Diego Nutrition Book (Paperback)

If you're looking for a book on fad diets or how to lose weight, this book isn't for you, and you have plenty of other options for throwing your money away. But if you want a book on nutrition and how the body processes food, then this is it. It explains why the body needs vitamins, minerals, fat, carbohydrates, and protein. It's very readable and you don't need a science background to understand it.