Diet Books
From LoveToKnow Diet
Diet books are a dime a dozen. Walk in any bookstore or library and you will see shelf after shelf of books proclaiming that the dietary rules within their covers will make you healthy, help you lose weight, and make you beautiful. How can you determine which books are the best ones to read and which recommendations are the best ones to follow?
Fact vs. Fad
The first thing to consider when evaluating diet books is the rationality of the claims. A book that promises health and happiness in ten days is obviously not going to be taking a healthful approach. A book that promises results in a few months is more likely to contain a healthy approach toward weight-loss and overall health.
Likewise, a book that focuses on one food, or one type of food, is probably going to be less useful than a book that presents all food groups. Consider, too, the food that is the focus. A diet called "the ice cream diet" or "the popcorn diet" is just playing off the perfectly natural desire to find a diet that doesn't restrict you from the foods you love -- which foods are, most likely, the ones contributing most to your health and weight problems.
Another caveat is a book written by, or promoted by, a celebrity. Be wary. It's a very common and very deceptive ploy to use "star power" to lure you into trying a diet that may, or may not, be designed for optimal health and nutrition. While some such books may be excellent resources, make sure you evaluate them carefully; don't let your mind be distracted by the lure of the celebrity bandwagon.
Safe Diet Books
A diet book is "safe" if it encourages you to eat in a healthy and sustainable manner, if it encourages you to eat a variety of foods, and if it emphasizes overall lifestyle changes as part of a healthy diet. You can't get away from the fact that exercising, quitting smoking, avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting adequate sleep, drinking plenty of water, and minimizing stress are all part of the healthy diet package.
When evaluating a diet book, look for food lists. Overly restrictive food lists are a bad sign. Lists which include ample quantities of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, fish, and healthy fats and oils will usually indicate that the book is safe.
It's also a good sign if the book describes the functions of metabolism and digestion, and how your eating habits may affect you positively or negatively. Beware, however, of diets that require a lot of calculations -- while these diets may be excellent nutritionally, they are seldom sustainable simply because the calculations make them too complex and inflexible. Sample recipes are always useful, as are sample menus and special occasion suggestions.
Some safe books include the Weight Watchers cookbooks, Dr. Phil's Ultimate Weight Solution, Set for Life, and the South Beach Diet books. All of these books encourage healthy eating habits and well-balanced meals.
Diet Books for Special Situations
There may be a time when you need a diet book that deals with a specific situation, such as a chronic health condition, a food sensitivity, or an age level. In general, your physician can usually recommend some good resources, but you may also want to visit your local library to research the condition more thoroughly. There are dozens of excellent books geared for people with diabetes, lactose intolerance, gluten allergy, Crohn's disease, and other health issues that make traditional dieting more difficult. For age-related issues, such as the proper diet for a child or adolescent, there are a number of general resources, as well as some specifically aimed at the target groups.
Evaluating the information from these references may be simple, or you may find confusing information. In medical situations, it's best to take concerns or questions to your doctor, nutritionist, or other similar medical professional who can clarify and confirm information for you.
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