[.ca] Breaking the Food Seduction: The Hidden Reasons Behind ... (ISBN 0312314930)

From Amazon.com:
Why is it so hard to resist the temptation of chocolate? Because chocolate triggers the release of natural opiates in the brain. It's a drug "strong enough to keep us coming back for more," according to nutritional researcher Neal Barnard, M.D., president and founder of the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine. Cheese also releases mild opiates during digestion--no wonder we crave it. In Breaking the Food Seduction, Barnard helps you understand and overcome your food cravings. He explains which foods "hook" us the most and why, and what to do to break free when you want to decrease the calories and fat that accompany these seductive foods. Cheese, for example, is about 70 percent saturated fat and has more cholesterol, ounce for ounce, than a steak. Barnard offers seven steps to breaking your food cravings, devoting a chapter to each one, with anecdotes and plenty of clear, sound, practical tips. Then he presents guidelines for healthy eating using "the New Four Food Groups"--vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains--with a three-week menu plan and 113 healthful, vegan recipes. Highly recommended for people who want to understand their food cravings and finally get rid of them. --Joan Price

The proof is in the doing:
I started out looking at this book because of reflux problems and I wanted a lighter diet. In a very short time, however, this book changed the way I eat completely. The proof truly is in the doing. I saw another reviewer wish that the book had other recommendations besides a vegan diet but that is precisely the Dr's point - the foods we crave make mixing and matching very difficult. 3 weeks eating as a vegan I have lost 10 pounds, reflux is practically nil, I don't crave food all day and in fact seldom even am anxious about meal times. I'm energetic - the absence of milk and meat has if anyting improved my energy levels. I urge anybody who has tried and failed finding a way to eat sensibly and maintain the habit to read what the good Dr. has to say.

Informative, but biased...:
Granted, Dr. Barnard's diet is solid, and the science behind his reasoning is solid; however, the reasoning itself isn't as great as he himself believes. Let me explain: Dr. Barnard advocates vegetarianism and the 4 four group diet: grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. This, obviously, excludes meats and dairy. From personal experience alone, I will agree that this type of diet does make one feel better and manage weight, not because it excludes meat dairy, however. Instead, this type of diet works better for the body because it limits processed junk foods by keeping natural foods in the system. So while I agree on the level of the diet working for a better sense of wellness, I disagree with his reasoning. Another problem I have with his method is that it excludes meat and dairy totally, going to the point of using soy meats and soy milk to replace what your body naturally needs from these foods. I would also argue that your body craves this groups not because one is necessarily addicted to them, but because your body needs vital nutrients from them. For example, vitamin B-12. He suggest taking a vitamin pill to replace what is not received. To limit is one issue, but to totally eliminate is another. The science behind his beliefs are solid. For example, cheese and chocolate are addictive because they release natural opiates in the body (evidence also suggest the same for meat, which is interesting, but I wouldn't personally jump to put my faith in this and thus eliminate it from my diet). I favor taking his science and argument that one can adjust your cravings to more suitable foods, like oatmeal, and form my own thinking to believe that -any- kind of food can boost seratonin levels and become addicting, not just "unhealthy" foods. Thus, reading this at some chapters was kind of like a "Fahrenheit 9/11" for meats, dairy, and sugar. I say this in the sense that the argument seemed legit, but it was so one-sided in leaving out the other side - the positives of the other food groups - that his own position seemed too shakey to put my firm faith in. So in terms of the his diet plan: a good plan and it will change the way you feel about yourself, but mainly if your diet and especialy weight has big problems as is. But be aware that this diet isn't the answer to a happy and complete life. Other options to good living exist outside of the organic food aisle. Regarding the actual title, Breaking the Food Seduction, I would tend to put more faith in his methods and reasoning. He offers valuable information and more solid reasoning as to how and why one should adjust their diet, keep blood-sugar levels steady, and thus feel better overall. Also, I have a problem with the fact that this book devotes 1 measly chapter to exercise. Yes, one can lose wieght on diet alone, assuming you ot fat on diet alone. Except America didn't. American got fat on poor diet and no exercise. You have to use your body, people! If you want your body to flow, you have to make it flow! Nothing boosts happiness, adrenaline, and personal strength than moving your body, whether it be raking leaves, walking the neighborhood, and running an hour. Yes, diet will make your skinny... just look at anorexics who don't exercise. The problem is that they don't have the strength or metabolism to feel their best. The same is true for the 140 lb, 5-10 20 yr. old male. Skinny, but no energy or drive to move throughout the day. I speak from experience.

Clever Title:
The title of this book was cleverly chosen. Had it been more descriptive, I don't think I would have purchased the book. The bottom line from reading this is that one needs to become a Vegan in order to truly break the food seduction cycle. Not really any other alternatives in the view of the Dr. While the information was interesting and yes I will try to eat more fruits and vegetables, I can't commit to a true vegan lifestyle. I was hoping for some simple common sense tips on how to break food seduction habits without such a radical change in diet.

Better Be Rich Or Have A Stay-At-Home Mom:
I know I have sugar addiction, so this book really caught my attention. The book itself is very informative and interesting. The problem comes when trying to make the recipies. I know that eating healthier means eating more natural ingredients, which, in turn, means more preparation time. But our house is a two-full-time-worker house, and it's nearly impossible to create the three meals per day in this book without spending every spare moment of your life in the kitchen. If you're rich enough to have a chef, or lucky enough to have a stay-at-home mom or dad, then I'd say go for it. So far the meals have been tasty, and resulted in more energy. And the claims that it will even out blood sugar, resulting in fewer binge cravings, is absolutely true. I will say that many of the recipies result in output that covers more than one meal (for instance the banana cake with frosting, which can be a dessert over many days), especially if there are only two mouths to feed. But I'm just not sure how long I can stick with this diet, considering the meal preparation time. I guess that's why we Americans are all so fat and unhealthy; we're all too busy to eat anything except preprocessed foods.

Amazing source of information:
This is a great book for those who are interested in becoming vegan. Even if you aren't, it provides some really interesting information on why we crave the foods we do. For the person who said we crave meat and cheese because we need the "nutrients" in them, you obviously didn't read this book and you're still hypnotized by the propoganda from the meat and dairy industries. These foods are not necessities. The author clearly states that a supplement is only necessary if you feel you're not getting enough B12. If you don't have enough time to cook the recipes provided in the book then buy a good vegan cookbook or look on the internet. If you're serious about changing your life then you'll find a way to do it. I'm so tired of hearing the "I don't have time to do it" excuse. This is why North America became fat in the first place. Anyway, this is a great book and I recommend it 100%. GO VEGAN!