Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating
by P. J. Skerrett, Walter C. Willett
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Book Reviews of Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating
Book Review: One of the best!
Summary: 5 Stars
Since being diagnosed with diabetes 2 years ago, I've read LOTS of health/diet books. This one is the best I've encountered. Not really a "diet" book, It's a way of life. Thank you, Dr. Willett.Book Review: Wonderful Book
Summary: 4 Stars
Amazing insight on health, diet, & fitness. It really has been making me think & most definatly changed the way I eat & excercise. It does take effort though; the book won't do it for you. Book Review: Scientifically sound and practical guide to healthy eating
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're looking for a book that provides practical and scientifically sound advice on diet for the average person, of any age or gender, look no further.
Firstly, the author's credentials and research are first rate. Willett is the chairman of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health and he draws his conclusions from well known studies supported by both the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School. Further, the nutritional advice in this book is simply an elaboration upon the guidelines in the Healthy Eating Pyramid which is developed and supported by the School of Public Health. In short, this book is written by a highly visible and respected scientist and is supported by solid medical studies. With all this in mind, I, as a scientific layman, feel that Walter Willet's nutritional and medical advice can be trusted.
The main points of the author are as follows:
1. Exercise and maintain a stable, healthy weight.
2. Eat healthy fats.
3. Eat whole grains.
4. Choose healthy sources of protein.
5. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits
6. If you drink, drink in moderation.
7. Take a multivitamin.
These points are elaborated on over 12 chapters, each of which can be read individually, as needed, or in order. The writing is dry, clear, and concise. Many of the chapters take a "theory and practice" approach to the topic being discussed. For example, the chapter on carbohydrates focuses on describing their different types and respective nutritional benefits and shortcomings, and concludes with how to put the information into practical use. Throughout the book there are informative "side bars" that discuss, for example, fad diets, nuts, diabetes, and the safety of fish. Similarly, there are numerous charts displaying information on the topic at hand, whether it be the percentage of specific fats or the glycemic index in various foods.
At the end of the book is a useful chapter on putting all of the presented information into practice. This chapter includes a week of meal plans, followed by an extensive list of healthy recipes sectioned off into: appetizers and beverages; breads and grains; entrees; vegetarian entrees; soups and stews; salads and side dishes; and desserts.
If I had one suggestion, it would be that there be more coverage of integrating nutrition and exercise. I come from a distance running background and would have like for more guidance on tuning a diet to aid in athletic performance. I imagine a body builder or weight lifter would have similar complaints. However, in fairness, the book is aimed at the general public and does give guidance on proper exercise for the average person.
After reading the book, I was surprised at the nutritional value of some foods and diets that I had thought were "safe" and "unsafe".(The USDA's MyPyramid, and it's famous predecessor the Food Pyramid, are both heavily criticized.) I'm now far better informed about how to live a healthy life and have a healthy diet. Willet has put together a very thorough and complete guideline on how to eat and live in a healthy manner.
If you can only buy one book on nutrition make it this one.
EDIT (June 8, 2007):
To get a sense of the information the book contains, check out the Harvard School of Public Health 'Nutrition Source' page.
Book Review: Happy, Health Me, here I come!
Summary: 4 Stars
Ever wondered what is good for you? This book is great! I was skeptical, but this faded. The approach of the book is to inform and maybe scare you away from bad foods. I had been eating baked potatoes because I thought that it was healthy. NO, they are a healthy alternative, but overall they are not good for you. The book goes on to discuss the new MY PRYMIAD and how to change your eating habits. There are some places were they act like a broken record, EAT WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY, EAT LESS. I guess if they are going to say something twice, it is a helpful reminder. They also offer alternatives to eating foods that will provide more nutrition and keep you fuller longer. Did I metion that the recipes in the back are great! Book Review: Good advice, but perhaps not for everyone
Summary: 4 Stars
I have been on various diets throughout my life, and this particular "way of eating" is not difficult to do--but the jury is still out on whether or not it will work.
One thing that this book does poorly is to repeatedly say "a calorie is a calorie is a calorie"--and then it explains that carbohydrates can cause insulin swings that will create hunger and the need to continue eating, an idea that is at the core of low-carbohydrate diets. So, a calorie isn't really a calorie, is it, if eating some kinds of calories (simple sugars, refined breads, white rice, potatoes, etc.) will cause you to have insulin and hunger swings. yet the writers keep saying that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie...
Still, this book is full of good advice. The thing that I think might be missing on this one is the customization to an individual's needs. It might be fine for someone who is excercising a lot to eat more refined carbohydrates, for instance, whereas someone who is truly sedentary (someone who barely gets up off the couch to get the mail) might find that they truly need to reduce their refined carbohydrates to zero (no sugar) and might even have to reduce their whole grains somewhat, or avoid high-sugar vegetables like corn to make way for more dark green and leafy vegetables. I no longer believe that "one diet fits all," but this book seems to think that if everyone eats this way that they'll lose weight, but I think it's possible to binge on whole wheat bagels and still be fat.
On the whole, though, someone following this book's advice will be healthier than the nominal american diet. The book's genius is the idea that one should *ADD* foods, not subtract, and then let nature take it's course. If you add a lot of vegetables and fruits to your diet, then you won't have room for that 16 oz porterhouse, will you? Perhaps only 6 ounces will be enough.