Editorial Review :

Gluten, be gone!

Gluten intolerance affects almost three million Americans with painful and frustrating symptoms. Although testing for it is fairly simple, it can be difficult to diagnose—and the only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life. Armed with this book, post-diagnosis readers can meet the challenge. It contains lists of “legal” and “illegal” foods, food substitutions, a lesson in how to find gluten in food labels and keep flavor in gluten-free meals, and a section on dieting.

Customer Review :

Good advice found here in an easy, fun read

I have a bunch of these Idiot's books, so I was pleased to find this one on Gluten Free eating, which is something I struggle with. This book broke down the principals behind this diet very well, and it's becoming easier for me to stick with. I definitely recommend this as a primer for a gluten free lifestyle.

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A godsend for gluten-intolerants and their families

In order to produce The Complete Idiot's Guide to Gluten-Free Eating, writer Eve Adamson paired up with dietitian Tricia Thompson, MS, RD. Thompson specializes in nutrition consulting for celiac disease, a condition in which the ingestion of gluten found in wheat, barley, and rye results in damage to the body in ways that reduce its ability to absorb needed nutrition. In order to best understand the concerns of gluten-free eaters, Adamson went entirely gluten-free while writing it.

Adamson and Thompson explain what celiac disease is, why you shouldn't try to diagnose yourself, and how to get a proper diagnosis. They give you a general idea of the foods that do and don't have gluten in them, as well as a guide to reading food labels and interpreting menus. While they can't tell you which specific items will or won't have gluten (as this changes all the time), they give you an idea of which foods tend to have gluten in them, or have gluten-free alternatives available. They also recommend some specific favorite gluten-free brands that each author prefers.

One of my favorite parts about this book, however, is that the authors understand that you aren't just dealing with the grocery store---you want to go out to eat, and you want to eat with friends. They tell you not just how to make things easier on yourself, but also how to make things easier on others so that they can better accommodate your needs.

On top of all that they even manage to fit in some recipes. There's a baking mix and several recipes that use it. Given that it's particularly tough to bake without gluten, I of course had to try this out. The baking mix's 'secret ingredient' is xanthan gum. This is a rather expensive ingredient, but when you consider that a teaspoon of the stuff is enough to last through a batch of cookies and a pancake breakfast, you realize that the high price spreads itself out pretty well.

The pancakes were incredibly delicious and surprisingly thick and decadent. To quote my husband, "I expected to say that these were good for gluten-free, but they're just *good*." We both agreed that we'd happily make those again as a delicious recipe in its own right.

If you have to eat gluten-free or have a friend or family member you want to help out in that regard, I highly recommend this book. It's packed full of fascinating and useful information, encouragement, and delicious recipes!

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A celiac's review

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Gluten Free Eating is a very comprehensive resource for newly diagnosed celiacs. The beginning chapters discuss why celiacs cannot eat gluten and the diagnosis process without getting too technical or overwhelming the reader with obscure medical tidbits. The next chapter explains which foods are safe and not safe to eat and explains how to decipher food labels and eliminate potentially harmful ingredients. There are also alphabetized lists of foods that are safe and not safe to eat. I consider all of these lists as part of a gluten free encyclopedia, which is pretty neat and very useful. I find it so easy to just look up any food I'm unsure of here. And even though the unsafe food lists look long and scary, this book does a great job at reassuring celiacs that their lives as they know them are not over. There is even an entire chapter devoted to building the self-esteems of celiacs and dealing with family and friends who just don't seem to understand the gluten free diet.
The book also recommends gluten free packaged products that are favorites of celiacs everywhere. There is also an entire chapter devoted to the ins and outs of gluten free alcohol. There are also recipes for cookies, pancakes, breads, pasta dishes and an all purpose baking mix. The authors even map out a gluten free meal plan for an entire week that's full of healthy, low fat foods and has substitutions for vegetarians. The book ends with a crash course on eating out, taking out and staying healthy on the gluten free diet. Overall this book is very helpful to newly diagnosed celiacs and their families. It's very easy to follow and written in fun, simple English. It's also sprinkled with "Good for You" tips by Tricia Thompson and cute anecdotes from the "Fearless Eater". This book is even great for celiacs who need a confidence boost or people looking for more diet options and recipes.


Rating :

Highly readable, entertaining style, full of the information needed

I've seen many of the books on the gluten-free diet and this is by far the most fun to read. Eve Adamson is a professional writer who knew nothing about the diet before taking on the assignment, but she totally got "into character" by going gluten-free to gain first-hand knowledge of the dietary challenges celiacs face on a daily basis. Tricia Thompson is a registered dietitian who has built a reputation as a first-rate nutrition consultant & researcher based on a series of publications on the gluten-free diet in various peer-reviewed scientific journals. The book unfolds as an entertaining narrative of Eve's experiences under Tricia's watchful eye, with useful and up-to-date scientific detail provided in various boxes under the headings "Good for You", "Read the Label", and "def-i-ni-tion". All in all, the book covers most everything offered in previously published works but in a much more 'digestable' form--just what the doctor ordered for people with celiac disease!

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Editorial Review :

This is the newest book for the 2008 WW plan. It includes both Flex Points and Core Plan foods. This 676 page book lists the Points values for over 18,000 foods. It lists them alphabetically, by ethnicity, region and brand name. It lists over 2,500 Core Plan foods - this is the most comprehensive list of Core Plan foods. There are also over 75 pages of quick and delicious meal and snack ideas - so helpful. This book is great to take with you to the grocery store to help you buy the right foods. This will be the book you consult daily. You will always have the points value of the foods you want to eat right at hand. The new 2008 Weight Watchers program gives you more options then ever before, to eat better foods, fit the program into your busy lifestyle and reach your goal weight. The best part of this program is that there are two different plans. You can choose to follow either the Flex Points Plan or the Core Plan. The two different programs foods are included in this book, you choose which one to follow or go back and forth between the two. They have both has been designed to help you make better food choices that will help you maintain your weight loss.

Customer Review :

Not relevant for anyone following a WeightWatchers plan outside of the United States

This book is not relevant for anyone following a WeightWatchers plan outside of the United States. I was disappointed by this book when it arrived this morning because it is very U.S. centric and not at all suitable for WeightWatchers outside of the U.S. Had I have known that this was only relevant within the U.S. market I would not have bought it. Weight Watchers is an international brand and as such this book should have been renamed the "Complete Food Companion - American Edition. This would have forewarned me what to expect. The book provides the points values for American branded foods as opposed to generic food types. This book does not give you the points value for eggs for example, it gives you the points values for individual American brands like Eggland's Best Eggs, Gold Circle Farm eggs, Horizon Organic Eggs, Nest Fresh and so on. Outside of the U.S. this information is not relevant and this would be my main gripe with the book. Furthermore the points provided in the book are provided in subjective measurements like per cup or per portion. The Weight Watcher's literature I am used to provides points values per specific measurements like per per 100g, per pound, per 100ml, per pint, per half pint etc. Would not recommend for any non U.S. customers.

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Do Not Purchase This outside of WW

There is no reason anyone should be spending $29.00 on this item when it is available at any Weight Watchers meeting for one third the price listed here. Besides, the food companion is a tool that should be used in conjunction with WW membership. You could probably go to WW during free registration and pay less than this for a new member kit which includes the complete food companion, dining out guide and a journal to boot! Don't be a sucker.

Rating :

Don't waste your money!

Don't waste your money on this product that you can buy from any Weight Watchers store for ONLY $9.99. You do not have to be a member to buy this from a Weight Watchers Center. You can also buy this product buy visiting weightwatchers.com and signing up for a FREE 7 day trial membership and then clicking on the SHOP button. You can buy it for $9.99 plus shipping and handling. Be a wise consumer!

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Customer Review :

Best Book Ever

This is the best book I've ever read. It has changed my life. It even helps with issues other than just weight loss.

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I will never get rid of this book

I absolutely loved this book. I got so much unexpected help from it. The title sounds like it's just an average diet book but it is so much more than that. In fact the book isn't about dieting at all. What it's really about is getting down to the core of why you might eat the way you shouldn't based on emotional baggage. It tries to get you to sift through your emotional history and things that may be bothering you. I found out so much about myself and why I eat and I was so happy and relieved to be able to change my habits. I recommend this to anyone that might eat out of emotions.

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Doesn't deliver the goods

This book was hyped as a "simple" solution to weight loss. The concepts may be simple but don't confuse simple with easy. The concept of climbing mount Everest is simple too. Somehow this "simple" set of solutions leads to a seemingly endless trail of products and seminars that will eventually get you where you want to be. I have no patince for a book that is merely a tease and a marketing tool to get you deeper in debt to it's author. Whatever good ideas were in this book got lost in my anger of being shilled.

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A Book Everyone Should Have

This is a very insightful book. Not only did it help me lose weight, but it is a book that can help anyone gain personal power. It teaches you easily how to manage your emotions well and how to manage/handle life as it is. Thank you Laurel for writing this book.

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The Solution: For Safe, Healthy, and Permanent Weight Loss by Laurel Mellin

Good information, short and to the point. That said I have to admit I had to think which book this was, as it apparently didn't have any outstanding qualities.



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Editorial Review :

Customer Review :

Good for those allergic to milk and soy

My son is allergic to both dairy and soy. about 1/5th of all those with milk allergies are also allergic to soy. This book provides many recipes that do not rely heavily on milk substitutes and thus are a Godsend to thus of us who can't just add soy to make it work.

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not too bad for a 2% lover

I have had 4 or 5 recipes so far.And all have been great. Just had the honey lime chicken. EXCELLENT!!!! *Double up on the sauce recipe if you are a sauce lover.

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No longer have to wonder "What's for Dinner?"

As others have mentioned, these are recipes for basic homecooking. Some reviewers have been disappointed because they already know how to cook a lot of these recipes. I'm an experienced cook, and yes I already know how to bake a chicken, but I still love this book.

It provides hundreds of milk-free recipes in one book. No more searching for a milk-free recipe for every dinner, potluck, or party. I only recently started cooking milk-free, so a lot of my recipes have milk, butter, or cheese. It's so convenient to have lots to choose from in one place.

Also, the author has already experimented with milk replacements so I don't have to. (For example: I already loved rice pudding, but rice milk was too watery and wasn't working well with my recipe. I was glad to see the author suggests coconut milk instead. Now I know what to use and I can enjoy my favorite pudding again!)

The recipes are every day foods kids will enjoy. Nothing too gourmet. And lots of deserts to choose from for special occasions. I'll choose a cake from this book for my son's upcoming birthday, it's such a relief not to worry about finding a recipe!

There are also recipes for whipped cream and cake icing if you don't want to use the hydrogenated, tran-fat milk-free name brands. There are also "ice creams" if you don't have brand name soy ice cream available.

All our favorites can now be made milk-free! I'm so delighted that I found this book!

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Try this cookbook FIRST if you are allergic to Milk!!!

I work full time, I have 2 kids, I don't have time to make all sorts of substitutes and marinate stuff for hours. This is simple, easy to follow book with results that are really tastey. INCLUDING DESSERTS!!! The whole family ate these reciepes no questions asked! They didn't even know that they were eating dairy free until I told them a week later. I have yet to have one reciepe flop!!
Some of the manufactures of subst items she lists are A LITTLE outdated, but we all know to check labels and I still found her tips very useful. I had been adjusting to not eating at all when in doubt, with this book I am starting to explore more in milk free cooking because I have less doubts.

As for "Cooking Without Milk: Milk-Free and Lactose-Free Recipes" Light a match and just burn your cash..not worth the paper it's on. I mean...Do you really need a recipe for a peanut and butter sandwich?

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Great book, worth the money

I recently discovered that my various symptoms were not in my head, but were in fact due to dairy allergy. Since giving up dairy, I no longer have aching joints, upset stomach, fatigue, hives, and a skin condition (since giving up dairy, the skin condition is almost completely gone). This book is the best book I've seen so far. The recipes are simple and tasty. If you're a true cheese lover like I am, I don't believe you're going to find anything that replaces the taste of cheese. So, if you're looking for something that tastes EXACTLY like dairy but isn't -- forget it. However, if you're willing to try something different so you can have better health, then this book is great. It's also a good source of information on dairy intolerance and allergy.

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Editorial Review :

How many times have you gone on a diet and lost a few pounds, only to hit, once again, that dreaded plateau? Many people manage to lose the first 10, 15, or 20 pounds of the weight they want to shed. Then, no matter how hard they work, they can't seem to nudge the number on the scale farther down, and often they end up gaining back the weight they lost. Finally, there is a healthy, permanent weight-loss solution that will get you off the frustrating yo-yo that often accompanies most fad diets.

Dr. George L. Blackburn is the associate director of the Division of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School and directs the Center for the Study of Nutrition Medicine, which investigates complex issues in nutrition and health. Based on three decades of his research and clinical practice, Break Through Your Set Point offers an exciting and effective program that will give you specific tools to help you get out of your rut and prevent those extra pounds from coming back.

Your set point, or typical body weight, is determined by your genes and your environment. Many modern lifestyle habits—including getting too little sleep and eating on the run—have conspired to raise many people's set points to unhealthily high levels. According to Dr. Blackburn's theory, if you set a reasonable goal to lose about 10 percent of your initial body weight, then hold steady at your new weight without regaining any pounds for at least six months, you can reset your body's set point. And once you've reset your set point, you can repeat the cycle to lose even more weight.

The body's innate tendency to protect itself against starvation explains why the body resists losing weight after a certain point. Dr. Blackburn explains the science behind the set-point theory and helps you devise a plan that works for you. With his unique, multi-faceted approach, Dr. Blackburn shows that hitting your set point is not a dead end but the first step in losing weight the right way. This book will help you overcome your weight-loss plateau once and for all.

Customer Review :

Another boring weigh loss book

The credentials of the author promised something big. But inside the cover it was the same old, same old diet talk. Very disappointing.....

Rating :

Practical and readable

Just when you think, "Oh no, not another book of advice about losing weight," one like this comes along. I've heard for years about how we all have individual set points, but I never completely understood what that meant--or why it affected weight gain and loss--until I read this book.

What's more, "Break Through Your Set Point" is full of practical tips. It provides a program for slow, steady weight loss, followed by a maintenance phase, followed by additional weight loss if you need it. This book acknowledges right up front that losing weight is hard work, and that it takes time.

If you want a quick fix, this is not the book for you. But if you're smart enough to want something grounded in science rather than fantasy, buy this book. Try the advice it offers. I bet you won't be disappointed.

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The Truth

Let me tell you my story;
In 2006 I gave up a career in as a VP for a large financial services company to live my passion; Health and Fitness. I was a athlete and college and love the idea of spending my days assisting others how to become healthy, strong and develop lasting fitness.

In 2004 I started doing research to find the BEST, third party, dispassionate information on how to safely shed total weight and body fat. I came across Dr. George Blackburn's work first in a study he co-published in the Cleveland Clinic Journal, then others in the NEJM. His work is BRILLIANT because it is so simple! I was fascinated with the title of one of his published studies: "A Physician's guide to popular
low-carbohydrate weight-loss diets" This title suggest that even doctors are confused by all the misinformation in the marketplace!

[...]

We were so impressed with his work that we used it for the basis our company's new fitness training and meal programs.

In 2006, after 2 years of research my business partner and I created a company that delivers customized heart rate training and meal plans to clients ( I am not providing this review to promote our company, thus I am not telling you who we are). Our system is delivered all online and via email. In less than 3 years we have attracted 1,000's of clients from nearly every state in the US and 4 other countries. We have assisted our clients in shedding 1,000's of pounds of body fat. We have been featured in FORBES.com, Men's Journal Magazine, local TV and many other press articles. Please understand that our system is based on Dr. Blackburn's body of work.

I have read BREAK THROUGH YOUR SET POINT and strongly recommend this book to anyone who has tried to shed weight AND/OR anyone who is a professional in the health and fitness field. If you are interested in the science of what, why and how humans gain and shed weight, then READ THIS BOOK and KEEP it on your shelf!

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Wonderful, practical approach!

I really enjoyed this book, because it is down-to-earth and very practical. Most of us who've tried to lose weight with fad diets or marketed programs didn't have the perspective that we must STAY at a set point and stabilize before we move on to the next stage. VERY helpful!

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Setpoint Weight Is Not a New Concept


I first read about the set point theory of weight and dieting about twenty-five years ago, so the idea is not new. What is new, however, is how this author goes about explaining resetting that set point so that your body will accept the new weight and how you can reset it over and over until you reach the weight you want and keep it off.

The author's credentials and experience are impeccable. If you have been trying to lose weight and there seems to be a magic number on the scales you just can't get past or you get past that number and you fight for evey pound lost and the slightest slip on your part brings back more weight than seems logical to you, or you've lost the weight over and over only to always gain back to a certain point even when you lost the weight the "right" or slow way, this book is for you.

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