The Sunfood Diet Success System
by David Wolfe
|
List Price: Our Price: $27.94 You Save: $22.01 (44%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $19.99 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Sunfood Diet Success System
Book Review: Seems to get better with age
Summary: 5 Stars
Review by Juanita Watson for Reader Views (7/09)
So here it is, the still very relevant, 7th Edition of David Wolfe's classic "The Sunfood Diet Success System." My first encounter with this book was a little confusing. When I pick up a new book, typically I do some page flipping, scan the info, collate the information in my head, and then make a judgment whether buying it is worth my time or money. I'm sure that I am not alone in this approach, because let's face it, most of us have little time to deeply explore a book when there are so many options today. So, that said, let me recommend you change your tactics for this one.
Having had some time to really read through this book from beginning to end, I now understand why my original attempt was so futile. "The Sunfood Diet Success System" is indeed that, a system built on concepts that create a deliberate foundation for understanding. Clearly, a very specific intention inspired this book and it needs to be read with equal purpose.
Here, David basically has documented a path to personal transformation with the action steps and required understanding to get you there. Beginning with thoughts, beliefs, goals, and faith, David lays the groundwork for the Sunfood mindset. This understanding actually may hold the key to why many individuals do not succeed with a living foods diet. Then concepts such as food and karma, the origins of our diet, scientific theory, and detoxification take you deeper. The section on detox is extremely interesting and a must read subject for someone embarking on a living foods lifestyle. All of this is precursor to the key concepts of chlorophyll, fats, proteins, and the Sunfood triangle, which is the overriding guide to managing your personal experiences with this system of living.
There is an extreme amount of information packed into this book, and it isn't just for the 100% raw foodie. You can commit to any level of live/raw foods that you feel comfortable with, but if you do dive in full, David offers strategies for your transition. A great resource list, and recipes/meal plans round off the entire presentation. Strangely enough, "The Sunfood Diet Success System" by David Wolfe is a timeless book that seems to get better with age.
Book Review: A Diet that Virtually Ignores Protein
Summary: 1 Stars
David Wolfe's Sunfood Triangle instructs readers to balance their diet by equal dry weight amounts of green vegetables, sweet fruits, and fat. In acknowledging that protein consumption has been overemphasized in our culture, Wolfe goes to the opposite extreme and deliberately ignores paying much attention to measuring healthy amounts of dietary protein. An analysis of a sample diet in his book shows it to contain 44% calories from fat, a rather high level. Of course, Wolfe has no use for measuring macronutrients according to the standard nutritional concept of percentage of calories from protein, fat, and carbohydrates, as this would detract from his "secret" Sunfood Triangle. However, from a nutritional science perspective, all that Wolfe has accomplished in inventing the Sunfood Triangle is to reinvent a three-sided wheel.
Ironically, by leaving protein out of his ideal equation for a balanced diet, Wolfe leaves his readers vulnerable to consuming too much protein! The problem is mainly due to the wide range of protein contained along with fat in a variety of nuts and seeds, from low-protein coconuts to high-protein peanuts. While a diet that includes fat from low-protein nuts like coconuts and pecans will keep one's diet around a safe level of 5-6% calories from protein, indiscriminately composing a third of your diet with high-protein nuts like peanuts, almonds, and cashews, will quickly and dangerously acidify your body with excessive protein, causing metabolic acidosis, and increasing calcium loss from bones and teeth. For example, 4 ounces of almonds with a large green salad and a few oranges is a meal that meets the balanced requirements of the Sunfood Triangle, yet, it contains 13% calories from protein, which nutrition authorities like T. Colin Campbell have associated with health problems. Wolfe's personal recommendation to help avoid these problems is to periodically "take a break from nuts." Is that the most precise method the author of this expensive new age book could come up with to properly balance a raw food diet? Gim'me a break. Better yet, gim'me my money back!
Book Review: Not Your Average "Diet" Book
Summary: 3 Stars
As a certified holistic health coach ([...), I was familiar with the raw food diet and some of the accompanying philosophies. At the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, where I received my education, I even saw David Wolfe speak. He is informative, passionate, and influential for sure.
Even if you know something about raw foodism, this book will really open your eyes. In my professional opinion, raw foodism is a bit extreme and not for most people. Some of the explanations Wolfe presents in this book seem a bit "out there" for me or my average client. This book is less diet "rules" and more Wolfe's life philosophies. I would consider myself a spiritual person and absolutely believe in a connection between spirituality and one's food choices, but I found this book to be a little out in left field. Wolfe's personal goal is to get to the place where he can live on juices and breath exclusively. I just think this is too extreme for the average person. I'm not discouraging a raw food diet or incorporating some raw foodist philosophies, but to a more gradual level. I think there are other, more accessible books on raw food diets than this one.
Having said that, Wolfe really is the leading expert on raw foodism and on super foods, so if you already ascribe to this diet, this book would be an interesting and important addition to your book collection. The end of the book has a great selection of recipes that anyone can follow. I do believe incorporating some of the raw food diet philosophies are crucial to good overall health, including incorporating more raw fruits and veggies into your day, getting enough natural sunlight, doing breath work, and buying organic produce so this book will help introduce to you that.
Overall, I think this book is a little too "out there" for the average person. However, if you are already following a raw food diet and want to delve deeper, this is a great book for you.
Sheena Furnace, CHHC
[...]
[...]
Book Review: Excellent Book On Eating & Wisdom.
Summary: 5 Stars
What I found really interesting is this:
"Sunlight improves the eyesight, regulates the hormones and increases
mineralization potential. Bringing direct Sunlight into the eyes (Sun-gazing)
unmitigated by glasses, windows or filters at dawn and dusk has been part of
the doctrine of breatharianism (living on energies other than food) for thousands
of years. At dawn and dusk, more atmosphere is present between us
and the Sun, splitting the light like a prism into more wavelengths to activate
unknown elements of consciousness. This extra atmospheric cushion also
provides more protection so that one does not burn one's retina.
The practice of Sun gazing should begin with 30 seconds in tne morning and
evening and then increase to longer periods as one acclimates. Adepts at this
practice are said to Sun gaze for as long as 45 minutes at dusk and dawn."
I do believe in the Bates Method, and strange enough Bates had discovered that sunning helps with vision improvement. The Bates Method for Better Eyesight Without Glasses Relearning to See: Improve Your Eyesight -- Naturally!
Book Review: Good book on the philosophy behind raw food
Summary: 2 Stars
This is a good book for someone who is embarking on a raw foods diet. Like other reviewers I also enjoyed the fact that the author had meal plans in the back so you could get an idea on what you would eat in a day.
On the brutally honest side, I thought the volume of poetry was unnessecary, and I did find the degree of motivational hype in spots pretty distasteful. I also did not like all of the references to superfoods and expensive items that are currently being marketed by the author on the web.
If you prepare yourself for these pitfalls before reading the book however, you will find it a good resource. It has some great info about liver cleansing and is a good practical introduction to raw food philosophy. The advice about the types of food to eat while on this diet ie fruit:vegetables:fat is very comprehensive and good practical advice that should help you adopt a sustainable approach to the diet and ensure enjoyment of the lifestyle. In general I like the author and feel he is quite genuine in his desire to help people experience greater health. If it didn't have all the marketing in it, I would possibly have put it in the "great gifts to humankind" book category (now I'm getting cheesy!). Bit of a shame therefore that the author feels the need to capitalise on his great advice.