Obesity is a major public health problem in the United States. People follow fad diets, use supplements, and avoid entire food groups because they think that these measures will help them lose weight. Beth Warren, a registered dietician, offers an alternative. She gives readers an easy-to-follow, common-sense plan that incorporates a variety of foods along with exercise and sufficient sleep. She also keeps kosher, so her recipes and meal plans are helpful for those who are traditionally observant. She begins with an accessible but thorough explanation of nutrition basics: food groups, types of fat and carbohydrates, protein. She then explains the basics of kashrut.
Warren’s diet strategy is simple: eat small meals between two and four hours apart, choose fresh, organic, unprocessed foods, get at least thirty minutes of exercise a day, get six to eight hours of sleep each night; and drink plenty of water. She also recommends keeping a food journal and using the plate model: one quarter high-quality protein, one quarter whole grain carbohydrates, and half non-starchy vegetables. In addition to this, Warren provides helpful hints for eating out at restaurants and social gatherings, a guide to shopping at markets, meal plans, and very tasty recipes. Among the dishes are salmon za’atar skewers, beet salad, homemade Nutella and healthier mac and cheese. She includes extensive notes citing the scientific literature for those who want to do further research. This is a very useful guide for anyone who wants to control his/her weight while keeping kosher.
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