Slim for Life by Dr. Gillian McKeith Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Slim for Life
Book Review: Too soon
Summary: 3 Stars
I think being a virgin nutrition enthusiast, this book was too intense for me. My husband and I followed the plan for 2 weeks, including the 2 day detox. I felt as though I was eating a lot of beans, soup and salad (although the yellow split-pea soup was very good). I am a big fan of Gillian's show "You Are What You Eat", which is what prompted me to purchase this book, and I have learned some things. In fact, this book is the reason I check food labels now for additives and fillers and I love her lists at the beginning of her book for her favorite detox produce, meats, fish, condiments, etc. I even make smoothies now (a great way to incorporate your fruit in-take for the day)! For me, though, I felt limited by the menu and I think I need more meat and starches in the plan. I am going to look for a plan that takes more baby steps and then come back to this book.Book Review: a good guide with good recipes, but not easily put into action
Summary: 4 Stars
You know, I really like this book. I love her show, You are what you eat. I love the information in this book. It makes sense. Some of the recipes are now my favorites...
However...
we purchased this because my husband, who has the good/bad luck to be married to a health nut like me, finally decided awhile ago that he wanted to do an all natural cleanse through diet. Other cleanses (which use supplements) tend to make him very sick and weak, so I suggested that just a balanced approach to eating that forces nothing would be his best bet...
My main qualm with this is Cost/Time. As mentioned above, great info, great recipes. Love the gal. However, we spent a LOT more on those first days of groceries than we usually do...and I am an organic, mostly raw food eater. Also, time. Since it was my hubby's deal (for once) he decided to spearhead it...and he wound up so frustrated and tired after spending his 2-3 hours each night after work preparing. (I was also working and did not have time to help much.)
Bottom line...if you are wealthy and have time, go for it. If you are an average joe, this has great suggestions and ideas and I hope you do buy it! But forgive yourself if you are not able to go whole hog with it; pardon the pun.
You might also skip the bonus days at the beginning that include a 2 day prep time and fat flush...seemed appealing at first, but since it was 3 days before my hubby got to enjoy chewing, I think he would have lasted longer and had more of a cleanse if he would not have had a lack of sensory experience...doing all that work and not getting to sit down and chew really drained him...the good natural food would indeed have been a good enough cleanse had he kept it up, but after day 5 (with only 2 - 3 days of actual food) he gave up.
Ps--not the easiest thing to do in a rainy or cold season. Especially that fasting portion (juices). There we were, drinking liters of fresh (and delicious) juice on the rainiest days of Spring, wishing for warm, comfort food. Would be better served to try during warmer, dryer months. But go for it...at least a little at a time.
Book Review: beautiful book; not a reasonable diet
Summary: 2 Stars
Okay, I give her kudos for a beautiful, magazine-type book. And I LOVE her show, but was sorely disappointed in Gillian's diet recommendations. I should have known by what I've seen on her show, but Gillian's diet is really nothing more than a close match to a macrobiotic diet. She recommends lots of beans, rice, veggies and very little fat & animal protein. She will allow some meats in the beginning stages, but encourages you to cut those out as soon as possible. I am sure anyone following this diet will have success in the short run, even an advancement in health due to cutting out processed foods & sugars and increasing nutrient-dense foods. However I don't know if this diet holds enough protein nor cholesterol/fat for most people. Some do very well on a vegan diet, but most do not. Plus, the rigidity of the diet would probably make it impossible to adhere to long-term and could possibly trigger a diet/binge disorder (or worse).
For an example, I'm including her Day 6 menu suggestion.
Bfast: 2 c warm water w/ lemon; 1 c dandelion tea; smoothie with 3 plums, 3 nectarines; 3 pears.
Snack: ripe banana
Lunch: yellow pea soup with avocado & broccoli salad (recipes included)
snack: 4 endive leaves with hummus & tomatoes
dinner: mighty mung bean casserole (recipe included)
Some days she does allow tuna steak but could you live off of the above, really LIVE, long term? If the answer is no, then look elsewhere. The only truely workable diet is one that you can adhere to for life.
Book Review: farout ingredients
Summary: 2 Stars
I'm a fan of Gillian's and her TV show. The pages before "the plan" motivate me. The ingredients are another story. Organic miso? Wheat-free tamari sauce? Nettle tea? Adzuki beans? Mung beans? The list goes on. Oh, and you need a juicer. It's an endless amount of washing, peeling and chopping. I would probably eat the stuff if someone else cooked it.Book Review: good eating plan, but...
Summary: 3 Stars
I love Gillian McKeith's show and her whole philosophy towards eating. However, the calorie counts for her meals are quite low--between 900 and 1000 cals/day--due to my rough calculations. I've had to supplement some of the meals with extra protein like a chicken breast or salmon. I'm also working out a lot more than the folks on her show do--I do about an hour of hard cardio/day, 6 days/wk. Plus, 4 of those days, weight training is incorporated into my workout.
I don't miss not eating bread, pasta, sugar and the like and I do feel better--after i adjusted the diet to work for me. And, yes, I did lose weight-plenty of it.
Before starting this diet, really do your homework. Be prepared to feel light headed the first few days and drink plenty of water. Oh and instant miso soup is a god send. Good luck!