If you have a Kindle, this book The Forever Young Diet and Lifestyle is presently free, and it's really good especially for the price and in spite of the title. It has a bit of everything. It is written by a husband and wife couple. A large part of it is how to proactively be healthy and fit (the "lifestyle" part). Another part is about how to sensibly reduce your weight and improve your habits, if you are overweight. There is also a section on family fitness, talking about how to give your kids a healthy life with good food and an emphasis on activity and exercise.
Clearly, the authors have done a lot of research. They also have a positive, friendly style -- it isn't one of those books that make you feel guilty or overwhelmed. It is easy to pick up and start with where you are. Another thing I like about the book is that it integrates the research on anti-oxidants like coffee, chocolate, wine and tea. For example, the book recommends having a daily drink (especially wine, especially dry red) and an ounce or so of dark chocolate daily, along with some coffee or (green) tea in the morning. At the same time, they mention that some people can't "do" alcohol or chocolate in moderation, so they recommend avoiding these things if you are one of those people.
The main message is to live an active life, restrict or avoid processed foods which generally are filled with chemicals, white carbohydrates, sugar, salt and bad fats along with chemicals. And eat a "hunter/gatherer" or Mediterranean diet. So nothing radically new for those who have read several diet books, but plenty of sensible advice and an emphasis on the whole lifestyle (including family life) which I find very pleasant and positive. It does not go deeply into any one subject, and barely touches on the emotional reasons for overeating, but what it does do -- present a broad range of solid information on wellness -- it does well.
When I saw the title I was afraid it was another one of those gimmicky, unrealistic books that seem obsessed with avoiding mortality, but it is not like that at all. Rather, the emphasis is on maximizing quality of life and taking good care of what you have.
I have the Kindle app on my iPod touch, so I downloaded it. Thanks! I still have 15 pounds to go, but I'm at a plateau point that I haven't been able to break past for 8-10 years (between pregnancies). Reading the sensible stuff put in different people's words helps keep me focused.
ReplyDeleteThe 17-Day Diet wasn't bad, either, even though the first phase is definitely extreme. The lifestyle aspect was an American-style French Women Don't Get Fat, I thought. :)
I just read Mindless Eating, and it was really good. It was more along the social economics and research point of view than the nutrition point of view (it's *fact* that *everyone* eats more when their package/serving portion is bigger, etc.), so it was an interesting and diverting shift of perspective. :) It was entertaining.
Thank you for the review, Willa. I just downloaded it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Willa for this recommendation. I've just downloaded the book!
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