You Are What You Eat: The Plan That Will Change Your Life (Paperback)

by Gillian McKeith (Author)
Key Phrases: sprouted broccoli seeds, raw sauerkraut, digestive enzyme supplement, Detox Day (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
[Dr. Gillian McKeith’s] no-nonsense weight-loss plan has produced real results. -- Now, UK

[The] diet sensation of the decade. -- Daily Mirror, UK

Review
[The] diet sensation of the decade. (Daily Mirror, UK)

[Dr. Gillian McKeith’s] no-nonsense weight-loss plan has produced real results. (Now, UK)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Plume (March 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452287170
• ISBN-13: 978-0452287174
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,623 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Change the way you feel, November 29, 2007

By	Shaz "oi-you!" (Naples, FL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Gillian McKeith isn't telling us anything we don't already know, she is just blunty telling us that we don't feel well, we probably don't look too good, and it's time to do something about it.

Rather than being marketed as a weight loss regime, Gillian begins the book with getting to know your body from the inside out. She feels the tongue is "a window to the organs". As in reflexology, each part of the tongue corresponds to certain organs (e.g. the extreme tip represents the heart, the sides refer to the gallbladder and liver), and certain conditions tell us what's going on inside of us. For example, tiny cracks on the tongue reflect a vitamin B deficiency, a long crack down the middle is a strong indicator that your stomach is weak and you have a hard time digesting food, etc. Everything from bowel movements to pimply bumps on the arms is covered, and what each symptom likely means.

Gillian encourages a vegetarian diet for 8 weeks, which should begin with a colonic to "clean house". If you've never had a colonic, it's a unique experience. So much old food and gunk is flushed out, leaving you feeling less bloated (you may feel tired afterwards due to detoxing, but I've found that feeling goes away within 24 hours). YAWYE lists a plethora of foods you can eat, called "Gillian's Diet of Abundance". Measuring is not necessary, which is refreshing. Gillian encourages us to follow the simple rules of eating, e.g. eat fruit on it's own, or at least 30 minutes before other food, as it digests the fastest. Fruit eaten after other foods will sit on top of that food and putrify in your stomach, leading to gas and bloating. Never eat meat and starchy foods together. Incorporate healthy grains such as quinoa (pronounced "keen-wa"), millet and whole grain brown rice, which are loaded with B vitamins, magnesium, and have a high protein content which makes them a complete food. Legumes and fresh fruit and veg are a must. Gillian also offers dozens of juicing recipes for an energy boost, as well as recipes for soups, stews, salads and dressings. Bottom line, this is a lifestyle you can live with if you keep an open mind and give new foods a chance. There are only a few supplements she encourages, such as digestive enzymes (when eating cooked foods) and the herb Uva Ursi (helps build up the bladder). Otherwise, all your vitamins and nutrients should be coming from your food.

As for myself, I have increased my B vitamin rich food intake, and within 3 days, the cracks on my tongue disappeared. I have ditched sodas and sugary teas, which has made any bloating virtually disappear. I have more energy, I'm sleeping soundly at night, and my nails are actually getting stronger. This book is a great investment for your health.

108 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound nutritional advice, May 30, 2006

By	QueensGirl (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Are What You Eat: The Plan that Will Change Your Life (Hardcover)

This is the best book of its kind that I have ever picked up. Most nutrition/diet books put me to sleep, but Dr. McKeith lays everything out in simple, clear language and really keeps the reader interested in what she has to say. More importantly, she does not talk down or preach. She simply gives you the information you need to make intelligent decisions about what you put in your body. I don't agree with just popping a pill for any little thing, and I always like to look for natural alternatives, so I found the information on healing with food and natural supplements extremely helpful. After only 4 days of following her simple food combining rules, I already felt more energized and the bloat completely disappeared. The most interesting part is that I feel less hungry when I eat this way. Who knew?
I think it's important not to take an all-or-nothing attitude towards this or any other nutritional plan. Dr. McKeith herself even says that if you follow most of her advice most of the time, you will already make huge improvements in your overall health. Sure, she advises against refined sugars, caffeine, alcohol, red meat and a number of other things, but that's her job. This certainly doesn't mean that I'm going to give up my morning cup of coffee, my glass of wine or the occasional slice of pizza. What it does mean, though, is that I want to make good food choices on a daily basis, so that I can feel good, look good and hopefully *crosses fingers* decrease the impact of the few bad things I do. Hell, we all sometimes eat and drink things that are probably not good for us, but the point is that you can still make plenty of healthy choices every day.
Dr. McKeith advocates eating foods in their raw, natural state as often as possible. She's not saying you should throw your stove away; she's simply pointing out that you should try to eat your fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts raw wherever possible. If you like raw carrots, great. Eat a lot of them. If celery is your thing, eat it in abundance; it's better for you than when it's cooked, and she explains why these things are even better eaten raw. The book includes a menu and recipe section, and most of the dishes are cooked. She's not radical; she just wants you to incorporate raw foods into your diet wherever you can, preferably some every day. There are so many vegetables and greens that taste wonderful raw. Experiment, see what you like and include them in your diet.
I have been doing my best to remove processed, refined foods from my diet for a while now, and this book has given me a lot of useful information on selecting wisely when I do buy something that is pre-packaged.
As far as the difficulty some people mentioned in finding the foods that Dr. McKeith writes about in her book, if you read her list of foods in the Diet of Abundance section, you will find that perhaps 85% of these items can be found in your local supermarket. They're fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, whole grains, nuts, etc. If you're in the habit of only shopping in the canned and frozen sections, you're in for a big surprise. Some of the items, like the supplements, will require a trip to the health food store, and you will find stuff like Nori in Asian markets, but if you're online, you can find anything. Right here on Amazon, I was easily able to find the supplements I need. I agree with some of the others here who said that people spend tons of money and time on their cars, hours online and playing Xbox games, but when it comes to looking for a few products to improve their health, it's too much trouble. It's easier just to go to McDonald's.
Yes, most of the natural supplements are a bit pricey...$23 for a bottle of blue-green algae tablets...ouch!...but she's not telling you to take ALL of them! If anything, when she lists a bunch of supplements that help with one condition or another, she advises that you're not going to take them together. She even suggests buying kelp in granules to add to your dishes if you're not too crazy about the flavor of seaweed. I sprinkled some in my lentil soup and I couldn't even taste it.
This is a good book, with good information, but you have to have an open mind and a can-do attitude.

60 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Misconceptions about this book in previous reviews, November 9, 2005

By	Big Eater (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Are What You Eat: The Plan that Will Change Your Life (Hardcover)

Just reading a few of the comments placed on this website I wonder if some of the people have even read (or understood the book) at all. By the way, eating 'better' can help with aggression and stress (and negativity). Sure, the book may contain pages and pages that discuss symptoms you don't have but just focus on the help you need. Weight loss is a 'by-product' of healthy eating...it isn't the primary goal. Having said that, I have lost 17 kilos (37.5 lbs) since changing my eating habits 3 months ago. In that time I have not eaten any sugar (in all forms), wheat, coffee, tea, red meat, bread, chocolate, soda or alcohol. I have more energy, I sleep better and less, I exercise more (because I have the energy to do it), my skin looks and feels better. I don't agree with everything McKeith says but I think I know myself well enough to make those decisions. I don't expect one person to solve my eating disorders--it's up to me. There are hundreds and hundreds of wonderful foods that I enjoy (and have discovered) since adopting this eating regime. I don't crave potato chips and chocolate like I used to. I guess once you've cleansed your system you don't crave the garbage anymore. I have always been a big eater and I still eat large meals (and snacks, snacks, snacks) in the correct combination and timing...and it works. I do not starve myself or go without...if I'm hungry I eat. I make sure I have lots of food in the house and yes...I binge still...but on 'good' foods so I don't 'harm' myself as much like I used to. I take the time to shop and prepare foods...as a life enhancing activity rather than a chore. It's about priorities and being honest with yourself. People will spend hours shopping for the right pair of shoes...why not spend the same amount of time shopping and preparing things that you put inside your body? Some of McKeith's recipes are bland (but I think that might be a UK thing) but I don't hesitate to add garlic and spices (not salt) to bring on the flavour....mmmm. The carrot/parsnip/tahini spread is a delight. Thank you Gillian!