The Anti-Aging Plan: Strategies and Recipes for Extending Your Healthy Years (Paperback)

~ (Author), Lisa Walford (Author) "The actual diet eaten by the Biospherians during the two years sealed inside was high in quality (we can refer to this as nutrient rich,..." (more)
Key Phrases: freezerware dishes, caloric limitation, freezer baggies, Anti-Aging Plan, Velvet Sauce, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For more than 20 years Walford ( Maximum Lifespan ) has studied the effects of low-calorie, nutrient-rich diets in animals. A UCLA biogerontologist, he has opted, at 69, to follow a calorie-restricted diet. Walford began this program in 1987 after studies by himself and others had found that longevity can apparently be extended by following a regime of borderline undernutrition. The author believes that by adopting a diet that includes all the necessary nutrients but is very low in calories, one will extend life. (This dietary plan does prolong life in lab mice, but it has not been proven conclusively to work in humans.) This book, with recipes by his daughter, is designed to bring his program to the masses. Walford promises that by adopting a near-hunger diet, and using the menus and food suggestions in the book as guides, "you'll lose weight and feel healthier, more energized . . . your resistance to diseases like the common cold will increase and your skin, if you have acne, will clear up." One of the questions he poses is, "If you choose calorie limitation on the anti-aging plan, will you be hungry?" The answer given is, "No, at least not for long." It's no secret that the top three killers of adults in the United States--heart disease, stroke and cancer--are related to diet, but extending human life by under-eating still needs to be studied. While the book's premise is a bit shaky, the recipes are good. They are low-fat, high-fiber and interesting, covering a wide range of ethnic cuisines.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Readers will be fascinated by the information presented here. Walford, the physician of the controversial Biosphere 2 team, has studied the effects of low-calorie, nutrient-rich diets in animals for 20 years; his research shows a longer life span for those animals on this diet. Studies of the Biosphere 2 team on this same diet for a two-year period revealed a decrease in weight, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol. Walford includes an eating plan that restricts calories while increasing highly nutritious ingredients. With his daughter, Lisa, a chef and yoga instructor, he gives instructions for making multiple meals and freezing them to save time in food preparation. One of the strong points of Walford's book is the inclusion of vegetarian recipes alongside the regular meat recipes. Highly recommended for all collections.
Loraine F. Sweetland, Rebok Memorial Lib., Silver Spring, Md.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 309 pages
• Publisher: Four Walls Eight Windows (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568580495
• ISBN-13: 978-1568580494
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #506,976 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The diet is based on important principles; needs fine-tuning, September 6, 1999

By A Customer

My husband and I were excited by the information in Walford's book. We attempted to follow the diet and tried many of the nutritious "mega-meals", which are meant to be cooked in bulk and frozen in individual portions. We were impressed by the thorough and complex process Walford used in constructing his recipes. We accepted the massive grocery lists and hours of preparation time as a small price to pay in view of our objective-- extending our lives by 10-20 healthy years. Some of recipes, such as the paella, were truly delicious and satisfying. Others, however, needed additional clarification, required hard-to-find ingredients, or demanded significant levels of skill. Recipes also had a tendency to be disappointingly dry, whether by design or due to our inexperience. Finally, we would have appreciated additional guidance in assembling quick and practical meals and snacks to complement the daily "mega-meals". We have eagerly sought further refinements of the diet for the non-gourmet/non-scientist. I am amazed that Walford's calorie-restriction diet has not received more attention by other writers and researchers.

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new way of life..., September 22, 1999

By A Customer

Dr. Walfords follow-up book to the 120 year diet is easy to understand and follow. Unlike the 120 yr book which explains physiologically and pathologically why this way of eating works, the Anti-Aging book is written for the lay person with more and better tasting recipies. Granted, recipies are complex and time consuming to prepare-at first. But, once you get the hang of the significant chopping and quantities, they seem to be prepared in half the time. Quantities are tremendous and no one should ever walk away from the table feeling hungry. Recipies are very visually exciting as well and I have never cooked with so much color in my life. I have found the need occasionally to add a little soy or salt to some dishes. Two weeks into the diet, my husband and I found ourselves feeling like we had more energy and less of a craving for simple sugars. The hamburgers are amazing-even for a true red meat lover. What can I say? I love this book.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I could say this book changed by life but..., January 24, 1999

By A Customer

I won't know for at least 60 years...Well, that's not entirely true. Whether or not I live an extended life, I am healther right now for having read this book.

Walford offers a very practical, yet completely inspirational approach to living a healthier, longer life. The first third of the book describes his ideas which are based entirely on a solid foundation of research. He talks further about his experience as the doctor in Biosphere2 and the pertinence of that experience on longevity research in humans. It is really very readable. I enjoyed it so much that I couldn't put it down, and read it through twice! When I showed the book to my Dad, a very logical, sceptical research professor at UCLA, he liked it so much that he immediately bought himself a copy.

The rest of the book is full of suggested recipes, a sample week's menu, and practical step-by-step instructions for incorporating the anti-aging plan into your life.

It's working for me. Good luck to you!