Out of all of the low carb diet books out there, this has to be the most confusing. Normally, we steer clear of diets that are strictly low carb, since few are balanced, but since this was a book from the Dummies line, we thought it might be worthwhile. What a surprise to find that this was one convoluted mess that mixed some really great advice with some really bad advice.

The book is not entirely about low carb diets and in fact, the author seems to be developing her own special diet throughout the text. There is nothing wrong with that in theory, but since her diet doesn't really mesh with the low carb theory it is a bit confusing at times. Our biggest issue was that she continually talked about how great a low carb diet can be and then brought up statistics that show it's not the smartest thing for your body.

Several myths are dispelled and enforced, again we have a contradiction. That seems to be the main theme of this book on several levels. The author says that carbs in fruits don't matter, when in fact, they contain some of the highest levels of bad carbs you can find. On the other hand, she recommends avoiding some of the best and most nutrition filled low carb foods out there, such as chicken wings. When she starts to contradict her own words though, it gets a little silly.

That said, this is still a good book. While the above wasn't exactly ringing praise for the author, the recipes contained are worth the cost of the book. You'll get plenty of good ideas for eating healthy, low card meals that are very well balanced. The key isn't so much cutting carbs out of your life completely as it is finding the right balance with good carbs and protein.

She also discusses how to find healthy replacements for fast food and again, this redeems what would have otherwise been a truly awful book. This section is very useful for those that like to eat out but don't know which kind of foods they need to be eating. This can make the menu selection a lot easier and you won't feel so guilty.

The book also covers making lifestyle changes, the importance of supplementing with vitamins while you're dieting as well as some great advice on how to avoid beating yourself up mentally if you do slip on your diet. For these sections, we recommend this book whole heartedly.

We recommend taking the advice on low carb eating with a grain of salt, but buy the book for the good advice on dieting as a whole and knowing what to avoid and what you can eat when you're eating out.

Overall, it's not the best book, but you can still get some good information out of it, especially if you go into it with the right mindset.

Originally posted 2008-08-08 05:25:41. Republished by Old Post Promoter

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So many of us get caught up in the push to lose weight that we let our health slide. There are a few ways that you can make sure that you are staying healthy when you're loosing weight, and they're not hard to do at all. You will need to see a doctor or a nutritionist before you get started, to make sure that you've picked the right path. Let's go over just a few ways to stay healthy when you're on a diet.

Pick the right kind of diet -

There are so many fad diets out there and their big promises suck a lot of us in. However, many of these diets are incredibly unhealthy and can do real damage to your body and your metabolism. Always ask your doctor about a new diet before you go on it, to make sure that it is a healthy choice. However, if they tell you it is not healthy, don't just give up. Ask them what kind of diet they recommend for you.

Get on the right supplements -

In order to maintain your health during a diet, it is important to make sure that you are getting the right vitamins and minerals. Ask your doctor what supplements they recommend for you. If you are already taking a one-a-day multi-vitamin, keep taking it. It should contain a good balance of all the different vitamins and minerals you'll need for each day.

Start a healthy exercise plan -

Jumping right into a 2 hour a day exercise plan is not going to do your body any favors and in fact, you can end up injuring yourself. If you have not been active, you need to start small and build up your endurance. Don't be ashamed to exercise for just 15 minutes - it's better than nothing. Slowly add more time each day until you're at a level that is healthy for you.

Drink enough water - but not too much -

Water plays such an important role in our health. We all need it, and when you're dieting, water can really help you feel less hungry. However, you need to make sure that you are not drinking too much water, which can actually be dangerous. Use this simple formula to see how many ounces of water you should be drinking every day - take your weight and divide it in half. This will be the amount of ounces you should be drinking. Just as a reminder - one glass usually equals around 8 to 12 ounces, depending on the size of the glass.

Get plenty of sleep -

Your body is going through a lot while you're dieting and it is very important to make sure that you get enough sleep. This will help balance your body's stress hormones, which can play a role in how we retain weight. Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night while you're on a diet, and try to get to bed before midnight.

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