Rating: 
Summary: A diet book without a hidden agenda - what a concept!
Review: Dana Carpender's 'How I Gave Up My Low Fat Diet and Lost Forty Pounds' is one of the best books on diet and nutrition I've ever read -- and I've read a lot of them. Carpender manages to accomplish a rare feat in such books by being both credible and thoroughly engaging. The book contains fairly comprehensive information about the connection between insulin and obesity, and how a low-carb or carb-controlled diet can help. All of the popular related diets are summarized. Most authors of diet books (understandably) have the ultimate goal of persuading the reader to choose their diet over a competing diet. In contrast, Carpender does not endorse one kind of low-carb diet over another, rather, acknowledges that every individual has to be the ultimate decision-maker about what works best for his or her body and lifestyle. This is incredibly refreshing - especially for us cynics who have tried it all and are tired of authors and doctors who claim to have the magic bullet that works for everyone. Carpender even does what no doctor who wants to sell only their books and products would do - encourages experimenting with mixing plans and creating hybrid programs customized to one's lifestyle and body. Also, Carpender comes across as honest and passionate, and provides a good bibliography if readers wish to research the topic further. This is a good book for anyone interested in low-carb or carb-controlled eating, and would also make an excellent gift for those who don't like boring diet books, are convinced that low-carb is unhealthy, or are searching for an alternative to the high-carb/low-fat diet that does not work for everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: fighting the myth
Review: I went from a large to a medium and from a size 34 to size 32 doing low carb. I got so incensed by John Paree's negative review (below) that I felt the need to post a rebuttal. I haven't read this book of Dana's (I do have her cookbook, which is great). Unlike Paree, however, at least I have the cojones to be up front about it. Let's take his concerns in turn. -(1) Yes, you will lose weight-mostly water weight-and don't even think about
-going off the diet once you've started to lose weight!!! You'll watch those
-pounds come back twice as fast! You lose real weight on this diet. I did. The water comes off first, then the fat. The thing is, you have to stay on it! You can't do it for a couple of weeks and expect that to be it. Fortunately, it's _very_ easy to stay on since Atkins (the version I'm on) not only allows but insists that you eat lots of fruits and veggies, heart-healthy tuna and salmon and olive oil, and even (in its later stages) healthy carbs like whole grains and legumes. Plus, if you're craving some kind of sweet treat, you can go down to your local grocery/drugstore/online center and get lowcarb candy bars, protein bars, shakes, ice cream, pasta, etc. etc. etc. (2) Bet you can't wait for the halitosis, fatigue, constipation, mood swings,
-light-headedness and trouble focusing-not to mention an increase in risk of
-kidney disease and heart disease due to the increase in keytone and
-cholesterol production. All this while you starve your meat filled cadaver of
-essential fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals!!!! Like I said, the meat-egg-cheese only portion of Atkins is for two weeks only (it's not even rcommended for people who have just a few pounds to lose, and even when you go the hardcore route you MUST eat a couple of salads a day). That alone gives you more phytochemicals than most Americans ever get, much less the very next phase when you eat four, five, six servings of vegetables and low sugar fruits--a lot more than even most gym rats eat! Get constipation during the early phase? Eat a fiber supplement--it's good for you anyway, and in Atkins they talk about this issue. (It goes away in the later phases.) It's all on the website. Light-headedness and moodswings? They talk about that too--it happens when you're breaking your carb addiction and lasts 3 days to a week. Would you go through a few rough days to give up smoking? Same deal. I can't believe this reviewer's temerity! Most people live on chips, fries, and burgers with huge white flour buns, and the occasional tiny wilted iceberg salad, yet he's saying this incredibly fruit- and vegetable-rich, nutrition-dense, phytochemical packed diet is a step _down_? Give me a break the size of milwaukee! 3) the only truly effective way to lose weight and stay healthy is to eat a WELL-
-BALANCED diet-rich mainly in fruits vegetables, and yes carbohydrates. No
-doubt, protien is also important, but you don't need it as your main staple
-much less from fatty, grease ladden sources such as hamburgers and 20oz
-steaks. And don't forget the most important tid-bit- Exercise regularly
-nobody likes to hear that one, but it really is the only way to keep yourself in
-shape and feeling fit and trim for the long term. Well, I can't deny it--it's all true. It's also all on the Atkins website! They recommend all this stuff, from exercise, to eating fruits/veggies/healthy carbs (the healthy carbs start after the first two weeks, unless you're only slightly overweight), to not making your main protein source greasy food like steaks and burgers. This is all, by the way a major change from the typical American lifestyle we all grew up doing. 4)Ask a reputable dietician or consult a health information website like WebMD or the AMA. The medical establishment is extremely conservative and oftentimes quite primitive and behind the times. Why do you think alternative therapies are so hot? Insurance companies have only recently discovered they work (which is why they're now covered under a lot of plans). Doctors don't want to get sued... they won't recommend something unless it's been around fifty years, by which time it's already dated. Fortunately, a lot of doctors are finally coming out of their Rip Van Winkle cocoons and reading the latest research on low carb. This reviewer, it seems to me, either did a low carb diet for a few days and decided, in the MOST DIFFICULT, most uncomfortable phase, that it wasn't for him (which is like an alcoholic dissing AA during his second day of quitting booze)... or he's a shill being paid by some huge corporation that makes enormous profits off refined carbs. Your call. Do the diet for yourself. Read the Atkins website for yourself. Don't be scared by people who don't know what they're talking about.
Rating:
Summary: Low-Carb Common Sense
Review: I loved this book. It made me laugh and it made me think. The book will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about low-carb living. I tried to read other low-carb diet books and I usually couldn't make it passed the first chapter. This book will keep you interested! It renewed my interest in low-carb eating and it has given me the tools necessary to make it a life-long decision. Buy the book if you are thinking about eating low-carb or need to have your interest renewed!
Rating:
Summary: You won't believe how good it is!
Review: I am a born sceptic. I also have been obsessed with food for my entire adult life. When I am going to eat, what I am going to eat, where I am going to eat, if there will be enough food left by the time I get to the front of the line... Not a very nice way to live. This book HAS CHANGED MY LIFE! So far, everything she has said has been true. Everything that she said would happen, has happened. And it's not hard to do at all! Sure, the initial adjustment to serving a meal with no potatoes or bread is a little odd, but you get over it pretty fast. Somehow, this diet just clicked with me. After reading her book, I have at least 6 more reasons to eat this way than just to lose weight. That's not even my focus any more! She explained all the different approaches of all these other authors and shows you how to pick and choose which aspects of which approaches will work best for you. It's remarkably easy to read, too! I used this book along with Lauri's Lo-Carb Cookbook and the Greg Smithey "Easy Toning" tape, and I lost 10 pounds the first week and, I don't know if my initial measurement was wrong or what, but I lost and INCH off my waist! I have ordered the rest of Mr. Smithey's "Easy" videos now, and use Lauri's cookbook everyday. I have not yet found a recipe I or my husband didn't like. I hope you find something that works for you. But for my money, this was the best that was out there for me.
Rating:
Summary: non-scientifically speaking...
Review: I recommend ANYONE on ANY sort of low-carb diet read this book. Another like this one you should also have, the first being "The Secret To Low Carb Success", by Laura Richard. Both books cover low-carbing non-scientifically, and go over the many low carb plans, adding advice from the author (a real everyday person) along the way. I don't choose one over the other. They are both that good. I haven't enjoyed reading so much in years. One of the many reasons I am applauding Dana's book is because she goes into detail about the "low carb" products and foods available to us, for example, starch blockers and meal bars. Just a great book to have, newcomer or professional low-carber alike.
Rating:
Summary: Easier to Undersand than Atkins
Review: I bought some books on low carb living and I found this book to be the most interesting and "layman" friendly. The author is funny and seems to have done alot of research. If you're thinking about a good low carb book, put this one in your shopping cart.
Rating:
Summary: Atkins with all the right tweaks. This is THE book to buy!
Review: This book is the best summation I've seen on low-carb. It combines the contents of Atkins, Zone, and other low-carb diets with some tried and true wisdom. I first tried Atkins a few years ago on the advice of my doctor. After hitting 40 and being reasonably active, the pounds started to creep on. I lost about 25 pounds in 6 weeks and felt great, plus all my blood work results improved. Subsequently though, it seemed less effective. Cutting back on dairy and nuts and staying away from aspartame, as espoused in this book, led to better results. There are also other helpful suggestions for when you hit a plateau. Everyone's body chemistry is different, and the value of this book lies in the many 'tweaks' listed to make it work best for you. The author has done her homework and then some. You will also enjoy her breezy, witty conversational writing style as well. WELL worth the full...cover price.
Rating:
Summary: I did too!!
Review: Before reading this book, I had already discovered low-carb, lost 35 pounds, and kept it off for 2 1/2 years. But I figured there's always something new to learn, and I learned a lot from Dana Carpender!
This is a very well researched, intelligently written book, put in interesting, fun text that we can all understand. Dana has put in the time to thoroughly research all of the current low carb plans and explains the basics of each one. I defy anyone (who's on a low fat diet that's not working) to read the FIRST CHAPTER of this book and not seriously rethink their weightloss plan!
I'll be honest, I actually got this book from my library, but I have just ordered it AND her '500 Low Carb Recipes'! I'm buying the recipe book sight unseen-I have no doubt it will be good! These are keepers! I hope to see more from Dana Carpender!
Rating:
Summary: Easy to understand.
Review: Having tired of all the promises most weight loss books have, I began to look for books that aren't hyped as much but do have loads of truth in them. I have found that the best weight loss books are those written by "normal" people. This book is such a book. Easy to understand, informative and just plain good, I would highly recommend it along with a few others. These types of books are the best because their authors have gone through what most of us go through. Great book with good advice!!!
Rating:
Summary: the best for evangelizing
Review: I've told my friends I'm low carbing, so if they are staring at my rear end, I know why! If they are curious about my slim body, high energy, and obvious cheerfulness, I always recommend this book. It covers all the different plans, gives reasons why so many people are eating this way, and explains the science beautifully and clearly.
Another reason is because it is a fun read! A funny style and remarkably broad scope makes it a book that you can read over and over again. I've found better ways to inform people of the benefits of low carb thanks to this book. She's a natural teacher and gets your enthusiasm up all over again.
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