High nutrient density, not vegetarian
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| Review Date: June 26, 2003 |
| Reviewer: , Wilmington, DE United States |
| The reviewer from Philadelphia below misrepresents Eat To Live. As a physician myself, I am concerned that this misinformation may harm other people by preventing them from reading Dr. Fuhrman's important book - I am especially concerned about our American epidemic of obesity and diet-related diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Fuhrman presents the cure in his well-researched book. The reviewer (did this person read the book?) from Philadelphia states that Dr Fuhrman's recommendations allow no animal products when in fact Eat To Live is a diet-style, not a diet. It has no such rigid requirements. In his menu plans he gives 7 days of menu plans for those on a vegetarian version of the plan and 7 days on a non-vegetarian plan. Dr. Fuhrman also makes it clear that a diet rich in vegetables does not have to be all raw or exclude animal foods completely; it is flexible. As a physician, I have observed him in action with patients and he can modify recipes and menu plans to accommodate various tastes and food preferences. It is not an all or nothing plan. However, without reading Eat To Live, your future diet-style will be based on misinformation, not science. It takes experience, creativity and knowledge to make the healthiest way to eat taste favorable for many people. Some people will reject the idea of eating for health based on incomplete information and what they want to eat based on short term thinking (those french fries sound good), rather than enjoying truly more delicious foods that are actually healthful too. Just remember taste is learned and takes a few months to adjust and you can also learn to make healthy food taste great. I have observed that most people over time actually like the taste of this diet-style better then their prior one and love the fact they can eat as much as they want. You get to eat lots of food, not be hungry and get great results too. Get the book and see for yourself. I believe every person in America must read this information; it puts all controversy about diet to rest and may save your life. |
Essential Reading for Anyone interested in their health
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| Review Date: March 27, 2005 |
| Reviewer: S. Neill, Colorado |
| When I first started reading Eat To Live I had doubts about my ability to follow its advice. By the time I finished the book I knew I had no other choice but to follow Dr. Fuhrman's advice. I have been eating to live for 10 months now and have read the book three times. It has changed my life, I have lost 40 pounds, reduced my blood pressure so I no longer take medication, increased my energy, and I am generally a happier person than I was before Eat To Live. If you care about your long-term health you will read this book and follow its advice. |
Don't cheat yourself out of reading this life-changing book!
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| Review Date: January 14, 2004 |
| Reviewer: Thad B Roe, Minneapolis, MN USA |
| To lose weight, keep it off, and live a long and healthy life, we must consume fewer calories. The big question always is then, how to do that and still feel satisfied? You'll learn in Dr. Fuhrman's book that the answer is filling your diet with the most nutrient dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, and beans, which tend to be very low in calories vs. their physical bulk. With these foods, your body's nutrient requirements are met very quickly, therefore controlling hunger. Also, you can eat large volumes of food, feel very satisfied, and still not consume too many calories. Along with losing weight, a host of other benefits come along with this way of eating, such as seeing diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and many cancer risks melt away. As people continue to look for easy answers and get suckered into gimmicky diets like Atkins and South Beach, it's refreshing to read a book which reinforces repeatedly proven dietary advice we've all heard for years. That eating large quantities of fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts promote health and longevity. Dr. Fuhrman takes it much further and masterfully shows you how that principle can be optimized to live a long and healthy life. This is 100% pure evidence based science. Read the book and cross reference the information to medical journals and medical search engines. Unlike Atkins and South Beach, there is no disputing the information Dr. Fuhrman presents. Don't gamble with your health! Although the low-carb diets out there are correct about eliminating unhealthy carbohydrates, many other parts of those diets have mounds of evidence against them. Why take the risk? I don't understand why people impulsively follow such gimmicky diets and potentially put their health at risk. Losing weight is one thing; losing weight and being healthy is another. Dr. Fuhrman doesn't try to sell books by telling you what you want to hear, he tells you what you NEED to hear. I won't kid you, it is not easy to make these changes if you have been following the standard American diet for many years. Poor food choices surround you and you must learn to prepare and eat foods in a way that is unfamiliar to most Americans. You have to be patient and be persistent. I love eating this way now and the rewards are great. Personally, I have lost just over 30lbs following the advice in Eat to Live. I have also reversed my diabetes and no longer require any medication. |
Echo---the only diet/eating plan book you'll every need!
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| Review Date: November 27, 2003 |
| Reviewer: O. Brown, Twopeas, WA |
***** I have read literally hundreds of nutrition books. I have been confused recently by many of the popular diet books like Atkins, South Beach Diet, and No-Grain Diet, as they made sense to me yet when I tried to eat this way I felt horrible. I had previously lost a great deal of weight eating raw food at a raw food retreat, but could not keep up this way of eating in the real world. I really didn't know what to do, except to keep searching and trying new things. Then, over the last three days, I read Eat to Live. This book answered all of the questions I had about the popular diet programs. It showed me a practical way that I could integrate my belief in and my success with raw foods into a healthy eating plan that I could follow for the rest of my life (although Eat to Live incorporates all types of healthy foods, not just raw foods). It explained why so many studies on nutrition seemingly contradict one another. Everything the author says is backed up with research from peer-reviewed journals. It is the solution I have been waiting for, not just to my weight problem (I still have about 50 pounds to lose) but to my health problems, and for my lifestyle in general. I hope to follow this way of eating for the rest of my life. I am very excited because the author has extremely simple recipes (the book is mostly informative, though, not mostly recipes like some diet books). He also explains how this can be followed with a harried and hectic lifestyle or while traveling. The author promotes nothing that has not been studied extensively in the medical literature, making this book very appealing to physicians and others in the medical field. It is technical, so it is good for people familiar with scientific study and medical terminology; however, someone wanting the basic message of the book can skip over these parts and figure out how to do the eating plan very easily. I am just the type of person who wants to understand WHY everything is done and WHY I should modify parts of my diet, so for me this book was a breath of fresh air moving through my life, showing me what I needed to know and what I need to do. For those who choose to follow the diet and want extensive support, the author provides this, too, via his website---from low-cost ways to more costly one-on-one support. However, unlike many other diet books, the author does not set himself up as a diet guru, nor does he bad-mouth other diet book authors when he critiques their programs. One gets the feeling that he wrote the book truly to help people improve their health. This book was an answer to prayer for me, and I thank God that the author wrote it. |
Thank you Dr. Fuhrman!
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| Review Date: November 7, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Sarah, Washington, United States |
| I cannot thank Dr. Fuhrman enough! A year ago ( at 27 years old)I was in bad shape. I have not only lost 50 pounds this last year, going from a size 16 to a 8, but have brought my high cholestrol/ high blood pressure down way down. I no longer have chest pains, acne, severe menstrual cycles, headaches, fatique.. the list goes on. I had tried so many of the diets out there, only to fail or not lose any weight. I cannot believe the transformation in me since a year ago, it is simply amazing!..This will work for you if you commit to it! Dr. Fuhrman is very kind, I have consulted with him through email and on the telephone, he has gone over and above the call of duty in helping me to get well again..Thank you Dr. Fuhrman! |
On "Eat To LIve" Plan for nearly 2 years
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| Review Date: August 30, 2004 |
| Reviewer: Heidi Ann, Eagan, MN |
I bought this book after reading about it in "Self" magazine almost 2 years ago. After my second child, I needed to lose those last 10 lbs. The first few weeks on the plan were challenging, but I was commited. I lost seven pounds in the first two weeks, and a total of 20 lbs over the next few months. I have completely changed the way I eat and have remained at the same weight for 1.5 years. Yes, my friends think I eat "rabbit food" and my husband makes jokes the I make a salad out of the lawn clippings (not true), but this diet has changed my life. For the first time in my life I don't look in the mirror with angst thinking "I wish I could lose just 10 lbs"...Dr. Fuhrman talks about a 90/10 plan. 90% of the time I eat the "Eat to Live" way, and 10% of the time (out to dinner, special occasions) I eat whatever I want. It is not without effort. I cook seperate dinners for my husband and children, but any extra effort is paid off by how great I feel and look.
If you commit yourself to being healthy, you will be amazed by the results! |
Here are the facts (for me)
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| Review Date: December 11, 2004 |
| Reviewer: d-18v, USA |
Starting October 26 and ending December 7:
Total cholesterol from 263 to 189
Triglycerides from 152 to 82
HDL from 47 to 45
LDL from 186 to 128
weight(lbs) from 201 to 189 |
I gave this book the ultimate test
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| Review Date: February 19, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Chris MacAskill, Silicon Valley, CA USA |
I read this book 2 years ago and held off on writing a review until I was certain I had thoroughly lived it. What I didn't expect was for my wife, my four grown children and their four spouses to join me -- and even feed their children this way as well.
Even more surprising, over 200 of my friends and co-workers have joined us and compare blood tests, weight loss results, and recipes online. This will sound like a complete exaggeration but it's true: all of us have lost between 15 and 105 pounds. All but one has seen their total cholesterol drop to 170 or below (the one went from 235 to 182), and all who had high blood pressure or diabetes have either reduced or eliminated their meds and had their bp and blood sugar drop to the normal range.
I have to be honest and say the why, the book that got us going, was more often The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health , but Eat to Live was the how.
I have probably ordered about 40 Eat to Lives as gifts for friends and family. I'm not aware of any of us who have gained our weight back and the longer we stick with it the better our numbers seem to get. At family gatherings we compare notes and wonder where we would be without eating this way; we'd probably be on Lipitor and other meds, like we were before.
I personally believe this and The China Study are the two most important books I've read in a decade, and I've read a lot of great books. |
Lost 10 pounds the first Month
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| Review Date: June 18, 2003 |
| Reviewer: Susan Straley, Waukesha, WI USA |
| I got this book on the recommendation of my doctor who believes that food is medicine. Though I am still skeptical because of a life of successes and then weight gains after a year or so, I am very pleased with the beginning results. After I read the book I handed it to my husband and said I was going to eat this way and see if it works like it says it works and I would appreciate his support. He read the book in two days and is doing the diet with me. He has also lost 10 pounds in the first four weeks. And we were only 25 lbs over weight to start out! We plan on eating this way for life. What I liked most about the book was all the research in it. I am not the least afraid that I am not eating right based on all the current research out there. I was doubtful on the high-protein "Body for Life" plan (where I gained muscle and weight and didn't feel better or sleep better). I had thinning bones and the high protein diet made that worse. Another great thing is I am not hungry and my cravings for chocolate and french fries have disappeared. I thought that was impossible! The hardest part is watching people I love not eat this way. I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut! |
An "Eat To Live" Personal Triumph
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| Review Date: January 8, 2005 |
| Reviewer: Paul, Los Angeles |
Dear Dr. Fuhrman,
I wrote to you last month inquiring about your LDL Protect supplement. I mentioned that in the early part of 2004, I was briefly on Lipitor which caused me to break out in yeast infections so I stopped taking it after two months. On my previous "American" diet my cholesterol was at a very undesirable 275. I also wanted to lose weight. I knew there had to be a better way.
And, thank God, I found it in your books, which a friend told me about.
I started the "Eat To Live" diet in the beginning of November, 2004. I just got my new blood work back. Through diet alone, my cholesterol dropped to 214;
Trigylcerides - 137
HDL - 65
LDL - 122
I did purchase your LDL Protect last month, but I wanted to see what the blood results were from the diet alone before I took the supplements (which I just started today). I do have further to go, but between the LDL Protect and continuing on the diet, I believe that I will continue to see my cholesterol levels decline.
I want to thank you so very much for being a beacon shining through the dark abyss of the
traditional medical establishment.
If I hadn't found out about "Eat To Live" - and the awareness that comes along with it - I would be another increasingly rotund, animal fat-laden American, chugging down Lipitor, Prilosec (I used to have chronic heartburn and acid reflux) antihistamines (for my allergies) and who knows what else as the years roll by, slowly becoming resigned to the fact that this is how the body ages.
Now I know better. Thanks to your books and invaluable information.
I easily dropped 22 pounds and continue to lose weight. I ran into a friend on the street who I hadn't seen in four months. He didn't even recognize me at first, because of the weight loss. I am no longer bloated because I have virtually cut salt out of my diet. I weaned myself off Prilosec a month ago (I was on it for years) and have no heartburn. I don't need antihistamines anymore.
I used to get debilitating migraine headaches every few weeks. Since being on "Eat To Live," I not only haven't had one migraine, I haven't had any headaches period.
I continue to be amazed at how radically changing my diet is radically changing my life.
It's wonderful.
Yours truly,
Paul
Los Angeles, CA |
This book has made me very angry
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| Review Date: October 10, 2004 |
| Reviewer: William R. Krapek, Dallas, Tx United States |
But not at Dr. Fuhrman. I'm angry because, after years of working out and eating whole grains and giving up on red meat -- yet still staying overweight -- I've discovered the doctor's very simple secret about eating to live. NUTRIENT DENSITY!! It's quite amazing, and I've already dropped 17 pounds that I'll never see again.
Every day I go through a quart-sized bag of raw vegetables, along with an ounce of raw nuts so their fat can help me absorb the nutrients from the veggies, four servings of fruit, a couple of cans of beans (one with two tablespoons of ground flax seed), and a bowl of whole grain cereal with soy milk. I'm not only losing weight, but my skin's looking better and a long-standing shoulder and hip problem has cleared up. I'm also not suffering one bit despite the fact that I eat under 1900 calories a day. Once I reach my target weight I'm actually going to be jacking that up another 300 to 2200, and I'll start eating a little meat again. But even then I won't be having more than a couple of servings a week. I've never seen a strict vegetarian that looked that strong and healthy.
(Though I'd be happy to be wrong!!)
Use this book if you want to live. |
Resolves chronic disease issues, not just for weight loss!
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| Review Date: October 6, 2003 |
| Reviewer: , |
| Don't let the title fool you - this is not just a weight loss diet, it is a healthy eating plan for life that has the pleasant side effect of causing you shed excess weight. If you are worried that you can't choke down all those greens or that you can't live without a hamburger and french fries, etc, the author proposes that you make a full 6 week commitment to the program - your taste buds have an amazing capability of adapting to different foods. I stumbled across this plan after I was diagnosed with large uterine fibroids - I had been dieting and exercising to lose weight but desperately wanted the weight to come off faster. Well, within the 9 weeks or so I've been on this plan, some of my health issues related to the fibroids have resolved, my sinuses from allergy problems have amazingly gotten healthier, and I've dropped weight at a rate nearly 3 times faster than before ETL. Prior to "full commitment" 9 weeks ago, it took me a few weeks to work up to eating the amount of greens the author proposes. Stick with it and don't give up - it works! |
It really works!!!
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| Review Date: April 20, 2006 |
| Reviewer: LMV, Canada |
| I just finished the 6 week plan health plan that is outlined in Dr. Fuhrman's book, and I've lost 22 pounds (started at 182lbs). I'm more alert during the day, and sleep better at night. I have SO much energy I went out and joined a few cardio classes. I have to be honest, though -- the first two weeks on the plan were a living hell. It took me a long time to get used to the diet (because my habits were so awful), but after a few weeks it evened out and I started to see and feel the results. I have bought this book for three other people so far, and I totally recommend this book for anyone who wants to improve thier health, weight, and body image. |
An Inspirational Book on Health and Diet
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| Review Date: February 14, 2003 |
| Reviewer: , |
| I bought Dr. Joel Fuhrman's book "Eat to Live" on advice of my personal trainer and have been following his diet for the last three weeks. My blood pressure, high before I started his diet, has stabilized enough that my doctor has taken me off my medication. Unlike other diets which encourage short term deprivation to lose weight, Dr. Fuhrman's methods have changed my relationship to food and my body. After just a few days my desire for sweets is almost completely gone. I enjoy making my meals, taking time to take care of myself and having more energy for me and my family. Thank you Dr. Fuhrman for writing an easy to read, no nonsense, informative, life altering book. |
It really is life-changing.
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| Review Date: July 1, 2004 |
| Reviewer: C. Henry, Boulder, CO |
| Rather than repeat many of the reviewers of this book, I simply want to add this book has the potential change one's life. I read that in one of the reviews before I bought this book, and I though that's rather silly, it's almost sad that a diet book can change someone's life. Six months later, I now wholeheartedly agree. My girlfriend is now completely vegetarian and I eat meat only one or twice a week. Prior to this I would eat meat once or twice a day. If you told me six months ago that in half a year I would be for all intent and purpose be a vegetarian, I would have laughed and said that's impossible. I like to workout a lot, where will I get my protein from. Well, I still workout a lot and I get most of my protein from soy products. I've managed to maintain my muscle and still loose 30 pounds, most of it coming off in the first couple months. My girlfriend has lost a similar amount. It's worth mentioning that Dr. Fuhrman's diet is pretty strict, and it's a very dramatic change coming over from the typical American diet. He talks about making the commitment, and that's very important, but I think it's also important to be realistic and realize that it may take a while to fully adopt all of the eating habits he proposes. Even now, while others probably think all I eat is rabbit-food, I realize that we still not following his diet perfectly. We'll have buns with our black bean burgers, but just try to make sure they're not refined. And I'm not too concerned about it. The weight is staying off and we feel great. So do yourself a favor and buy this book. While you're at it, buy your loved ones all a copy too, as I've recently started doing. If the thought of being a vegetarian scares you, don't let it. Dr. Fuhrman offers plenty of recipes with meat in them, so you'll have plenty to eat, and you might be surprised to see that it's possible to really go without meat in your diet. You'll also sleep better at night (and probably live longer) knowing that the stuff you're putting in your body is a lot better than all of your friends who are on Atkins or the South Beach diet. |
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