3.95

3

Sep 30, 2016

I am one of those strange people that enjoys reading about nutrition. I chose this book merely for this "diet" being listed as number one for the past few years. While I completely agree with the majority of the principals there are a few things I found disturbing. No coconut oil? However, margarine, Sugar free jello, low fat dairy products, diet drinks, and artificial sweeteners are promoted in this plan. Seriously? I am by no means a Purist but to put sugar free jello on a daily meal plan?
I am one of those strange people that enjoys reading about nutrition. I chose this book merely for this "diet" being listed as number one for the past few years. While I completely agree with the majority of the principals there are a few things I found disturbing. No coconut oil? However, margarine, Sugar free jello, low fat dairy products, diet drinks, and artificial sweeteners are promoted in this plan. Seriously? I am by no means a Purist but to put sugar free jello on a daily meal plan?
There are so many superfoods this plan should be promoting in conjunction with eating fresh fruits and vegetables and lean protein. There are also many sugar substitutes that will not spike blood sugars other than aspartame and Sucralose and are not artificial. What about stevia, erythritol or xylitol? Instead of low fat dairy why not promote nut milks? I am by far not a nutritionist but there are quite a few flaws with this plan. Yes, it is a start for some that have never been educated about how to read a nutrition label or how to calculate bmi but do your research in conjunction with this plan. ...more

2

Jan 30, 2017

I picked up this book because I had heard in several places that the DASH diet was currently the diet most recommended by doctors. So far the books have been disappointing. This book basically lays out a low carb diet, low fat diet that I'm not sure is mainstream DASH or just the program used by this particular author. I can see where the diet would result in weight loss for someone eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) but I can't think that sugar-free jello and flavored yogurt and low-fat I picked up this book because I had heard in several places that the DASH diet was currently the diet most recommended by doctors. So far the books have been disappointing. This book basically lays out a low carb diet, low fat diet that I'm not sure is mainstream DASH or just the program used by this particular author. I can see where the diet would result in weight loss for someone eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) but I can't think that sugar-free jello and flavored yogurt and low-fat processed cheeses really constitute a long-term healthy diet based on whole foods as the book suggests. Also I do wonder what the underlying mechanism is that makes the diet work for people, since variations have been tried using varying amounts of carbs but never varying amounts of fat. Does fat really affect weight gain, hypertension, and diabetes? It wasn't ever tested. Based on other reading, I suspect that cutting added sugar down to extremely low levels may have more to do with the success of the diet than anything else. ...more

5

Feb 20, 2013

LOVE this - am struggling with a few health issues and in November 2012, in searching on Google, sort of fell upon information on the DASH Diet. For a complusive/binge eater such as myself, this was the first time I thought that I might be able to stick with this as there is no calorie counting, no 100% eliminating any food group, etc.

Well surprise, surprise, this new book came out - I got it last night and read it and loved it - lots of recipes to try out in the next few weeks!

1

Jan 23, 2014

I should add the caveat that this book is clearly not aimed at me because I already eat lots of non-starchy vegetables and lean protein and healthy fats. So the things that book recommends that I don't (and won't) eat are:

1) Individually packaged light cheeses such as: The Laughing Cow Light Wedges, Mini Babybel Light, light string cheese, light cottage cheese (4-ounce size), and Kraft 2% Singles

Processed Cheese? Yuck.

2) It may seem repetitive to have sugar-free Jell-O cups with almost every I should add the caveat that this book is clearly not aimed at me because I already eat lots of non-starchy vegetables and lean protein and healthy fats. So the things that book recommends that I don't (and won't) eat are:

1) Individually packaged light cheeses such as: The Laughing Cow Light Wedges, Mini Babybel Light, light string cheese, light cottage cheese (4-ounce size), and Kraft 2% Singles

Processed Cheese? Yuck.

2) It may seem repetitive to have sugar-free Jell-O cups with almost every lunch and dinner, but they really are refreshing and do a great job of being your fruit substitute. They are a wonderful, super-low-calorie treat, and are very satisfying. You will learn to look at them as a diet staple. Keep them stocked in your kitchen or at work. And if you need to have two or three at a meal, it has very little impact on your calorie intake. (Go ahead, go wild!)

Fortunately my life does not require Jell-O to make it wilder.

The book also says "Get plenty of fluids, at least 8 glasses per day. (Yes, caffeinated beverages count, as does Jell-O.)"

What's with the Jell-O obsession? Is this book sponsored by Jell-O?

I'm by no means a puritan but these recommendations are simply unappealing and counter intuitive especially if one if striving towards a healthy body.

But I do recognise that if someone currently has a terrible diet then this book might be a step on this person's way towards healthier eating.

...more

4

Oct 19, 2013

DASH=Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This originally began as a diet to address hypertension (high blood pressure). However, the diet was retooled to also address weight loss. All in all, the plan is pretty sensible to me. It does not have the absolutism of Atkins and is more flexible, even though it is from a similar perspective--high protein and low carbohydrates. This approach, in juxtaposition with the standard medical establishment view that accepts the following (page 5): "It was DASH=Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This originally began as a diet to address hypertension (high blood pressure). However, the diet was retooled to also address weight loss. All in all, the plan is pretty sensible to me. It does not have the absolutism of Atkins and is more flexible, even though it is from a similar perspective--high protein and low carbohydrates. This approach, in juxtaposition with the standard medical establishment view that accepts the following (page 5): "It was very difficult for the traditional medical establishment to accept that their high-grain, low-fat, limited-protein diet recommendations were wrong, and were, in fact, doing great harm to the collective health of our country."

To emphasize the weight loss element of DASH, a BMI chart is prominently displayed early on (page 15), to emphasize the need to reduce the scores of so many Americans.

The action element of the book is the phase plan. Phase 1 lasts 14 days. The focus is on high protein and low saturated fat foods (e.g., lean meat, poultry, and fish), beans, low fat or nonfat cheeses, egg substitutes and some eggs, and yogurt), heart healthy fats (avocados, vegetable oils, protein-rich and healthy fat foods (nuts and fatty fish). Foods to avoid? Starchy foods, sugary foods (including fruit), alcohol, milk, caffeinated drinks. Sample menus for Phase 1, then, begin on page 35. Hints: Have a bunch of hard boiled eggs on hand all the time. Phase 2 adds dairy, fruits, and whole grains. And so on.

There are also some recipes later on in the book, to suggest how to create dishes that will meet the diet's goals and still be tasty. And so much more. . . .

As a high protein low carb diet, this one is pretty good. ...more

5

Aug 25, 2013

My husband and I have been doing this diet for a while now. And let me tell you it works. He has lost weight and his blood pressure has gone down!! It isn't a hard diet at all, the first 2 weeks you learn to live without carbs , but that isn't to bad. The 2nd phase you start adding some carbs back along with other foods. It's all about making the right choices.

5

Jul 25, 2013

Love it!! Recommended by my doctor! Down 20 pounds after phase I and heading into phase II :)

4

Apr 03, 2013

The author presents a sensible lifetime eating plan which will improve health. The grocery lists are useful.

3

Oct 12, 2013

OK book. Pretty much the same as Weight Watchers except without figuring out and counting the points

4

Jul 18, 2013

Did I say this is the miracle cure? Well it is. So many people had told me, "it's wheat belly, glycemic, blood sugar. They were right. Following this is easy and I feel so much better. The first 14 days I lost nearly 10 lbs. I think I can change my life right now, so you can too.

1

Dec 22, 2012

Not a great diet book, but so few of them are. It's a good introduction to a good way of eating. I'd say take it out of the library instead of buy it though. The nutritional information and equivalent recipes can be found online.

4

Nov 13, 2012

I received this book free from a Goods reads giveaway. I now have my new years resolution. There are actually some good recipes in this book. This is actually something I think I could do and stick with. Thanks.

0

Jan 10, 2017

MEME WAS TALKING ABOUT DIETS. I GOT THE BOOK ON THE DASH DIET AND I RLY LIKE IT. IT'S A DIET, YEAH, BUT IT'S ALL FOCUSED ON FEEDING YOURSELF GOOD THINGS, FOCUSING ON HITTING TARGETS FOR GETTING THE NUTRITION YOU NEED (A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF SERVINGS OF VEGGIES, FRUIT, LOW-FAT DAIRY, WHOLE GRAINS, ETC.) INSTEAD OF ON CALORIES. BUT CALORIES ARE STILL PART OF THE EQUATION, SO IT'S ALL SO FUCKING REASONABLE. IL IT.

2

Nov 10, 2013

Meh. This book is more fad diet than anything else, which I might have judged from the cover, if I was that type of person. When I read that DASH stood for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension I was hopeful, but the reasonably good information could have been delivered more concisely in a pamphlet. Aside from that, Heller actually points out that the previous DASH diet recommendations have basically been recalled; as early as pg. 4 the author says that the earlier DASH plan recommended far Meh. This book is more fad diet than anything else, which I might have judged from the cover, if I was that type of person. When I read that DASH stood for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension I was hopeful, but the reasonably good information could have been delivered more concisely in a pamphlet. Aside from that, Heller actually points out that the previous DASH diet recommendations have basically been recalled; as early as pg. 4 the author says that the earlier DASH plan recommended far more protein and carbs. Heller also takes the simplistic view that coconut oil is bad because it's a saturated fat, and actually mistakenly identifies it as a short-chain fatty acid (pg. 103), when it is a medium-chain one. Maybe she didn't want to confuse people (she doesn't mention MCFAs at all, neither does she mention omega-9s or the proper ratio of omega-3s to 6s), but I'd expect more from an RD with a Masters in Science (is the problem that it was Science of nutrition and dietetics?); I would have thought that Enig's "Know Your Fats" would be basic coursework. In fact, she maligns coconut and palm oil throughout...then recommends margarine (!!!), the most synthetic of all, on pg. 159.
Heller gives overly simplistic explanations (and no studies to back up her assertions until the final chapter, when there are 27...suspicious, no?), the most popular idea of the last forty seconds, and nothing of great substance at all. Meh. ...more

4

Oct 10, 2018

This diet is easy to follow and there are lots of recipes included. After three weeks, I've lost 6 pounds and I feel better and have more energy. Guess I'll explore some of the DASH cookbooks next.

4

Feb 14, 2018

Love this book. Very helpful in following DASH to make the lifestyle change permanent.

3

Jun 18, 2018

offers suggestions to set stage for success in implementing healthy eating. Sets out specific foods rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium

4

Jul 17, 2017

I got this book because my doctor recommended I try the dash diet to prevent kidney stones. This book was easy to understand and for someone new to the nutrition world, I thought it was really helpful. Hopefully it will work too and I can say goodbye to kidney stones!!!

4

Mar 24, 2018

The DASH Diet is great in and of itself. I'm not 100% sold on Marla Heller's "phase 1" but I can't deny that it does cause most people to lose weight. It seems kitschy and jumping on the coattails of keto and paleo.

4

Jul 12, 2017

Love the diet, love the way Marla writes, but I wish it had photos for the recipes and a bit flashier layout. One of the things that both attracted me and turned me off about this plan was that the book was just straight text - not bad for a nonfiction book, but for diet and nutrition, some graphs or illustrations would be more appealing.

5

Dec 21, 2018

A healthy diet plan that you can do!

This diet was recommended by my nutritionist. It looks pretty straightforward and seems doable.
The first two weeks you jump start your metabolism by not eating any carbs.
Then you add carbs and continue on. This diet allows fats and proteins and low carbs. It is very similar to the Mediterranean diet.

4

Apr 01, 2018

I skimmed this book as a supplement to Marla Heller’s DASH diet for hypertension and cholesterol, but found that the diet here was egg heavy which contradicts the info in the other book. Still, it is a useful supplement to understanding the DASH diet and seeing if this is the health program for you.

4

Dec 03, 2017

I'm going to give the DASH diet a try. It sounds easy enough but haven't actually tried it yet. I enjoyed the book and am anxious to start the plan. I don't necessarily agree with the artificial sweeteners used. The book does have some good recipes that I want to try. I do think it's a good basic diet that you can adapt to fit your likes and needs. And as always including exercise with a diet will always help. This will hopefully help to accomplish one of my goal for the new year.

2

Nov 26, 2019

This book presents an extreme diet for quick weight loss. The reason you would lose weight is that you don't get to eat anything. Except jello! All the jello you want! I don't think this diet is reasonable or practical. Heller even warns you that you may get light-headed or cranky on this diet. That can't be good for you. This two-week ultimate battle of willpower seems destined for failure, and thus, I didn't even try it.

5

Jan 07, 2019

This is a pretty common sense healthy way of eating that's especially well suited to diabetics and those with cholesterol concerns. Its low carb and low fat that doesnt leave you feeling hungry all day. As a diabetic in my 40s I dont have the luxury or time to mess around with the latest fad diets and having hereditary cholesterol issues low fat within reason makes sense. Calories still count no matter what diet you're on and most full fat foods are more calorie dense. In order to not feel This is a pretty common sense healthy way of eating that's especially well suited to diabetics and those with cholesterol concerns. Its low carb and low fat that doesnt leave you feeling hungry all day. As a diabetic in my 40s I dont have the luxury or time to mess around with the latest fad diets and having hereditary cholesterol issues low fat within reason makes sense. Calories still count no matter what diet you're on and most full fat foods are more calorie dense. In order to not feel hungry and cranky all day I'll trade some fat for the extra calories that I can then eat and lower cholesterol. I'll probably try to stick with the diet laid out in the first 2 weeks as close as possible going forward since my blood sugar numbers have been great. Some people seem turned off by the sweetener suggestions but Stevia it's also suggested and that's what I usually use. I also enjoy the sugar free jello with splenda when I need a quick fix to address a sugar craving. It works surprisingly well and gives the added benefit of collagen and protein in small amounts which is good for hair and nails. I'm not new to low carb so I did t experience the rapid weight loss in the first 2 weeks but my clothes feel looser and this is sustaineable going forward for gradual loss that stays off with controlled blood sugar. ...more