Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(93)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

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.

I had just about given up on losing weight and decided that at 53 I was what I was...until I saw "You Are What You Eat" on BBC America. After watching Gillian McKeith take people who ate a diet far, far worse than mine and turning their life around in just 8 weeks, I thought, "Why not try it?" I began using just the material I had gotten from the programs. I copied recipes and bought a juicer (A Breville Ikon 900, which by the way, is fantastic!). I anticipated missing many of my favorite foods, but thought I would give it a shot. After the first three days I missed nothing. I eat a variety of grains....quinoa, brown rice, amaranth, millet, loads of veggies, fruits, nuts, and fish a couple times a week. In two months I have lost a total of 21 pounds, 16 of which were body fat pounds, and have reduced my bust, waist and hip measurements by 12.5 inches. I exercise 1/2 hour a day 6 days a week (a mixture of Pilates and a gym circuit workout) but before I had no energy to exercise. Now I look forward to it. I have also decreased my glucose readings from 115 before the eating plan to 90 currently.

Her premise is that after your body weight stabilizes you need only follow her course 80% of the time and can indulge yourself the other 20%.
I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who has become discouraged with other plans. Make a two month commitment to yourself and give Gillian a try!

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!

The basic premise of this book is that the less processed your food is the better it is for you. Most Americans want to reject that or think that what you eat doesn't matter. But Dr McKeith just tells the truth, you put garbage in you get garbage out. You reap what you sow. A lot of people want to eat their Big Macs and talk about how "healthy" they are.

Yes, some of the food she reccomends is a little more expensive, but not most of it and most of it can be found at the grocery store. To the previous reviewers I have to say: Your grocery store has something called a "Produce Section", Look in the Produce Section and you will be able to find the food she suggests. For those of you who weren't interested in the colonics which were barely mentioned, she suggested a detox program as an alternative.

I've already been eating well, but I still got a lot out of this book. She explains food combining, some ways to check your health, ways to detox and a quick start program.

Yes, self-diagnosis is important. I see people go over their lawn and their car with a fine tooth comb but don't know anything about their own bodies. American health care isn't much more than "take this pill and if it doesn't improve, here's more pills".

I've read other books along the same lines, but I like this one the best because the information is set in a upbeat format that is easy to grasp. However, I do wish that she had added more recipes.

'You Are What You Eat' is a very useful book. It contains massive amounts of Gillian Mckeith's knowledge on health and nutrition in an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand format. This is a book that can be dipped into at any time, with advice on what to eat, how to eat and when to eat.

McKeith has arranged 'You Are What You Eat' in a way that firstly gets you better acquainted with your own body, by looking for signs of nutrient deficiencies or the poor functioning of an organ. She then goes on to outline the types of foods we should be eating, with suitably long explanations as to why. We then learn about what causes 'bummers', such as tiredness, gas and stress, and advice on how to remedy them with food. The rest of the book is taken up with advice on de-tox tips and diet plans, along with a good section on healthy meal recipes.

This book is fairly comprehensive, and is full of information about our bodies and how they function. There are some problems with 'You Are What You Eat' though, in that McKeith seems to take it for granted that the reader is in a position to afford the food she recommends eating and also has the time to prepare that food. As other reviewers have mentioned, it is extremely difficult to find a lot of the foods she advises us to eat, even in some health stores! If you wanted to follow McKeith's recommendations to the word, it would require full-time commitment and a very deep pocket.

It is probably only possible (and most realistic) in the light of this, for the majority of readers to be selective with the book's recommendations. Many dairies would certainly go out of business if we all became Mckeith converts tomorrow. However, some of what she says is quite easy to incorporate into one's life, and if that makes her readers healthier, then Dr Gillian McKeith will be well on her way to achieving her goal.

A brilliant book, beautifully illustrated, straightforward and written by someone who is passionate about health and turning around the huge impact a modern, western diet has on society. I cannot believe the difference it has made to my health. If you are interested in the benefits of a healthy diet ("slimmer, happier, healthier...") you'll adore this book. I followed her 1 day detox program (for 2 days) followed by suggestions in her book for food combining and lost 6kg (13lbs) in 6 weeks!!! The difference also to my skin was amazing. She is a big advocate of drinking pure water, which I believe made the detox and weight loss so effective. Dr McKeith also has drug-free solutions for many health problems. I love this book and have since purchased it for a couple of my girlfriends. Its a great book to have on hand, to refer to, and also one to kickstart yourself into a healthier lifestyle.

This is a book which is easy to read and understand. Everything explained in simple terms. No quack claims - just common sense advice. It is obvious with all the additives and preservatives in our foods today and our hectic lifestyles that our diet is affecting our bodies and taking its toll. As a cancer survivor, I thought my diet was healthy until I read her book. I have totally changed my diet and lifestyle and 2 years after a Stage III breast cancer which had spread to my lymph nodes which required surgery and chemotherapy, I have frankly never felt better or looked so good! I attribute it to this book and her advice. I started juicing fresh vegetables and eliminated processed foods from my diet. There are some food items which are a little more expensive, but it is not expensive to juice some fresh carrots and an apple or make a bean chilli! In most cases is can be cheaper to cook healthy. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks they are healthy and to anyone with any type of illness/disease.

i'm an olympic athlete so nutrition is important to me and i find this to be a great book just to have on the shelf to refer to.
it is extremely easy to read and i found it hard to put down. you are able to use the index to go straight to subjects that may be more interesting to you. i.e. how to get healthy hair, skin, and nails.
i can see why some people may find her suggestions too extreme but even she says that just doing SOME of what she says will help your health, and that takes the pressure off.
the bottom line is this book is a valuable tool. if you are interested in being really health you have something which supplies you with natural and easy things you can change in order to help yourself, not rely on medicine and not feel helpless. it's a lifestyle NOT a diet and you can't change your lifestyle unless you are really ready. and it's okay to take small steps until you are ready.
some of the negative reviews referred to the bad diets she lists in the book, but these are true examples that were also seen on the UK television show "You are what you eat".
they may seem extreme but they are just examples to help people understand the link between health and nutrition.
just because you are not experiencing noticable negative side effects from a bad diet now, doesn't mean it won't happen, nor does it mean it's not already happening.
as for the suggestions on not eating certain foods together because of our body's inability to digest them well...
other nutritionist may disagree but what if she's right isn't it better to be healthy than sorry?

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

I really enjoy the television series on BBC America -- we don't consume a lot of junk or sodas in our house any way -- but I still had a lot to learn about preparing nutritional meals for our family of six. Having grown up in Texas; homecooked meals of red meat, potatoes, buttered white rice, baked dinner rolls and sugar sweetenend tea were the staples of our evening meals. In my heart, I knew better and found the solution (quite by accident while channel surfing) in Jillian McKeith. I marvel at her wisdom and wit -- and she really points out what we really already know -- our bodies were never designed to process so many chemicals, sugars, and highly processed "rubbish" -- We're sleeping better, we don't feel as tired, the kids actually enjoy making their own yummy snacks (crispy baked slices of sweet potatoes!) It seems like we actually have more food choices to eat now than ever before, and it has not busted the budget, either. This book is a no nonsense approach to a healthier lifestyle that the whole family can appreciate. I started with a few small changes over time, introducing new foods gradually, and it wasn't a painful experience in our house at all. My favorite part: Ms. McKeith doesn't preach to you that you can NEVER eat mashed potatoes and gravy or a piece of chocolate cake ever again -- she teaches you that there are healthier alternatives you may love even more, and an occasional "cheat" won't be your undoing -- LOVE this book, and the cook book!