Slim for Life
by Dr. Gillian McKeith
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Book Reviews of Slim for Life
Book Review: Adventures in Healthy Eating - Lovely
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the 3rd of Dr. McKeith's books I've purchased with the cookbook on it's way and I'm browsing through Slim for Life for the 3rd time. My husband's even paying attention now. I'm eating beans and grains that are new and interesting and above all delicious. Low fat diets never did much for my system aside from a few pounds and dull hair and thin fingernails. Protein and veggies was next choice and lost substantial weight but missed fruits and melons like crazy. This plan, protein from beans and grains and nuts is heavenly. We live in a small Southern community where many of her ingredients aren't available. Health Food Stores are also not available. But substitutions can be made and recipes altered a bit to give variety. After 2-1/2 weeks I've lost nearly 10 lbs, my clothes are loose but best of all my heartburn is gone, GERD is at bay and sinus headaches have said good bye. Can't say there aren't still days of wistfully eyeing my co-workers' hush puppies or donut, but truthfully? No inclination to toss Snickers bars into my basket at checkout any longer and a few bites of ice cream last week wasn't all that great. Before the change in eating, I could down a pint without hesitation and go "mmmmmm" the entire time. My salads are full of more ingredients these days, VERY green, with seeds for protein. A few of my favorite middle eastern dishes are also allowed - Hummus with veggies instead of bread and stuffed grape leaves with brown rice instead of white. It's been a fun experience and when the cookbook arrives, I'm sure it will be even more so. The books themselves are beautiful and being a lover of books, entice you to keep going through them even though you've memorized the gist of the plan. Dr. McKeith isn't the first person without "MD" credentials who knows good nutrition. A dear friend of mine tried to get me to eat this way when I was in my 30's. Too bad I waited so long. Just turned 63 and in this short period of time, feel better, sleep less, sleep BETTER, and look forward to eating. Kudos Gillian! this is a great way to take hold of your diet.Book Review: beautiful book; not a reasonable diet
Summary: 2 Stars
Okay, I give her kudos for a beautiful, magazine-type book. And I LOVE her show, but was sorely disappointed in Gillian's diet recommendations. I should have known by what I've seen on her show, but Gillian's diet is really nothing more than a close match to a macrobiotic diet. She recommends lots of beans, rice, veggies and very little fat & animal protein. She will allow some meats in the beginning stages, but encourages you to cut those out as soon as possible. I am sure anyone following this diet will have success in the short run, even an advancement in health due to cutting out processed foods & sugars and increasing nutrient-dense foods. However I don't know if this diet holds enough protein nor cholesterol/fat for most people. Some do very well on a vegan diet, but most do not. Plus, the rigidity of the diet would probably make it impossible to adhere to long-term and could possibly trigger a diet/binge disorder (or worse).
For an example, I'm including her Day 6 menu suggestion.
Bfast: 2 c warm water w/ lemon; 1 c dandelion tea; smoothie with 3 plums, 3 nectarines; 3 pears.
Snack: ripe banana
Lunch: yellow pea soup with avocado & broccoli salad (recipes included)
snack: 4 endive leaves with hummus & tomatoes
dinner: mighty mung bean casserole (recipe included)
Some days she does allow tuna steak but could you live off of the above, really LIVE, long term? If the answer is no, then look elsewhere. The only truely workable diet is one that you can adhere to for life.
Book Review: If you like to cook...
Summary: 4 Stars
This book not only brings awareness to the garbage you consume in a week, but will hone your skills as a cook. If you are someone who does not like to cook-or has no spare time, this book is not for you. All of the recipes are not very specific with times and temperatures-so you have to familiar with various cooking times for different foods. For example-in one of the recipes Dr. McKeath says to pop a sweet potato in the oven while you're preparing a salad. How long and what temp. are never included. Unless you're familiar with baking potatoes, how would you know what to do? Also, the measurements can be tricky. In the U.S., we don't typically measure ingredients by weight-unless you're a pastry chef-I don't think many people reading this book are. Do you know what 2 1/2 oz. of lentils looks like? I don't, but I guestimate. I think it's a little over a 1/4 cup. All that said, the food definitely increases energy, and has has made me less moody.(After the chocolate cravings stopped). The smoothies are fantastic, too. If you like to cook, this book is for you. It exposed me to new methods of cooking, and new ingredients. It really made me take a good look at my eating lifestyle and changed it for the better.Book Review: Be Prepared
Summary: 4 Stars
THE BAD:
1. I live in a large City (Chicago) with every kind of store you can think of and I still had a hard time finding some of the ingredients used in the recipies. So you spend a lot of time shopping.
2. You will spend a lot of time chopping and cooking. If you hold down a job, you must be very organized.
3. The cost of most of the ingredients (organic) are very expensive. But the cost goes down once you get stocked on the staples, but is still more than I usually spend.
THE GOOD:
1. Most of the recipies are very good to great. (a few are not).
2. You will enjoy eating a variety of different tastes.
3. You will never be hungry. (I have a hard time eating all the food).
4. You will feel more energized and healthy.
5. Best of all , you will lose weight even if you are a postmenopausal woman like me. I lost 12lbs in 25 days.
This is the way I will eat for the rest of my life. I have never said that with any other diet or way of eating before now, and like most of you, I've tried everything.
Book Review: Excellent book
Summary: 5 Stars
I was very pleased that I ordered this book. I am a fan of Gillian's tv program on BBC America "You Are What You Eat".
This is a health and detox plan with all the recipes in American Standard measures. It is very simple and straight forward.
It has a day by day plan for 28 days. This book is divided into four sections.....titled "the wake-up call", the ultimate health plan", The Dr Gillian detox", "slim for life" and of course her final word.
She asks you to be honest and keep a food diary and examine what you are doing now and then all you need to do is put forth the effort .
It has some less common things like dandelion tea, nettle tea and miso soup. All available at health food stores. I am looking forward to trying out the menus. I love fresh fruit, veggies, grains and beans but, I do love my chocolate and sweets too. I am looking forward to losing 10 lbs and enjoying her recipes.