Diet Book Review

Diet books

What the experts say

These seven diet books have never been put to the acid test of a large clinical trial (unlike the diet plan Ratings). We rated them based on an expert-panel questionnaire and our own analysis of nutritional quality.

Books are listed in rank order of overall score. Scores of “Eat, Drink, & Weigh Less,” “You on a Diet,” and “The Abs Diet” were very close to one another.

All the books offered fairly healthful menus. But when our panelists evaluated the nutrition advice, they found noticeable differences in the restrictiveness of various books. They also found variations in the quality of exercise information and the explanations of the science and nutrition behind the plans.

Our nutritional analysis is based on the 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The guidelines are updated every five years and represent a broad scientific consensus.

THE BEST LIFE DIET Bob Greene (Simon & Schuster) $26
What it is The diet's first phase involves exercise and a recommended eating schedule. Calorie reduction starts in phase two. You eat enough healthful foods to satisfy hunger but no more. Includes tools to customize diet and exercise plans. Pros and cons Reviewers liked personalized advice and section on exercise. Extensive discussion of "emotional eating" might help some. Dieters might be discouraged when they don't lose weight in phase one. Straightforward recipes use common ingredients.
	Rating Overall score............... Expert evaluation Science............... Nutrition............. Exercise............. Ease of use............. Meal plans............. Nutrition analysis.............	Percent of calories Fat................................ 30 Saturated fat................. 6 Carbohydrates............. 47 Protein.......................... 23 Fiber, g/1,000 cal. .......... 22 Fruits & veg., daily serv.. 8 Average daily calories..... 1,520

EAT, DRINK, & WEIGH LESS Mollie Katzen and Walter Willett, M.D. (Hyperion) $14.95
What it is Harvard nutrition researcher Walter Willett teamed up with cookbook author Mollie Katzen for this book based on the Mediterranean diet. Premise is that by “mindfully” following this diet, you can lose weight while enjoying eating. Little full-fat dairy or red meat. Up to one egg and one glass of wine a day. Pros and cons Sample diet had 1,910 calories per day--too many to allow most people to lose weight. Reviewers liked book’s scientific accuracy but thought the exercise chapter too brief.
	Rating Overall score............... Expert evaluation Science............... Nutrition............. Exercise............. Ease of use............. Meal plans............. Nutrition analysis.............	Percent of calories Fat................................ 39 Saturated fat................. 8 Carbohydrates............. 45 Protein.......................... 17 Fiber, g/1,000 cal. .......... 19 Fruits & veg., daily serv.. 16 Average daily calories..... 1,910

YOU ON A DIET Michael F. Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D. (Simon & Schuster) $25
What it is The physician-authors devote more than half the book to background on appetite, metabolism, and behavior. Diet starts with a two-week “rebooting program.” Monotonous breakfasts and lunches cut down cravings. Sugar, saturated fat, and refined flour products are banned. Pros and cons Most reviewers thought the diet lacked detail and was too restrictive, and some were skeptical that habits can change for good in two weeks. Most recipes were very simple.
	Rating Overall score............... Expert evaluation Science............... Nutrition............. Exercise............. Ease of use............. Meal plans............. Nutrition analysis.............	Percent of calories Fat................................ 33 Saturated fat................. 6 Carbohydrates............. 48 Protein.......................... 19 Fiber, g/1,000 cal. .......... 18 Fruits & veg., daily serv.. 13 Average daily calories..... 1,520

THE ABS DIET David Zinczenko with Ted Spiker (Rodale) $15.95
What it is Written by the editor of Men’s Health magazine, the diet promises “a six-pack in 6 weeks” by eating six meals a day featuring “power 12” foods. Includes about 100 pages of illustrated exercises. Pros and cons Reviewers were skeptical of the promise of rapid weight loss and disliked emphasis on whey supplements. Fitness program deemed easy to follow but possibly too strenuous for beginners and more appealing to men.
	Rating Overall score............... Expert evaluation Science............... Nutrition............. Exercise............. Ease of use............. Meal plans............. Nutrition analysis.............	Percent of calories Fat................................ 27 Saturated fat................. 7 Carbohydrates............. 49 Protein.......................... 24 Fiber, g/1,000 cal. .......... 20 Fruits & veg., daily serv.. 7 Average daily calories..... 1,890

THE SOUTH BEACH DIET Arthur Agatston, M.D. (Rodale) $24.95
What it is Slightly more permissive version of the Atkins diet is based on the premise that eating low-glycemic foods decreases cravings for sugar and refined carbs. In the first phase, fruits, sugar, and grains are banned. Phase two allows some fruit, high-fiber grains, and dark chocolate. Pros and cons Reviewers thought the simplicity of diet would appeal to some but criticized overuse of the glycemic index and the too-short exercise section. Recipes seemed easy to prepare, but some called for unusual ingredients.
	Rating Overall score............... Expert evaluation Science............... Nutrition............. Exercise............. Ease of use............. Meal plans............. Nutrition analysis.............	Percent of calories Fat................................ 39 Saturated fat................. 9 Carbohydrates............. 38 Protein.......................... 22 Fiber, g/1,000 cal. .......... 19 Fruits & veg., daily serv.. 13 Average daily calories..... 1,340

THE SONOMA DIET Connie Guttersen, R.D., Ph.D. (Meredith) $24.95
What it is An updated lower-carb diet with a Mediterranean theme, its 10-day “wave 1” bans most sweet or refined foods. The longer wave 2, where most weight loss takes place, permits fruits and wine. You calculate portions by filling sectors of small plates with specified food categories. Pros and cons Reviewers found the overall diet healthful but complex and needlessly restrictive. They felt the book stinted on exercise. Recipes were rather elaborate to prepare.
	Rating Overall score............... Expert evaluation Science............... Nutrition............. Exercise............. Ease of use............. Meal plans............. Nutrition analysis.............	Percent of calories Fat................................ 36 Saturated fat................. 8 Carbohydrates............. 39 Protein.......................... 24 Fiber, g/1,000 cal. .......... 20 Fruits & veg., daily serv.. 10 Average daily calories..... 1,390

ULTRA-METABOLISM Mark Hyman, M.D. (Scribner) $25
What it is The author designed the diet around his theory that people get fat because their systems become toxic, inflamed, stressed, and imbalanced. Initial “detox” phase and longer “rebalancing” phase. Eliminate: white rice, refined grains, grain-fed or processed red meats, caffeinated beverages. Pros and cons Reviewers felt book’s theory goes beyond scientific evidence and was overly restrictive and complicated. Exercise section judged somewhat brief but practical.
	Rating Overall score............... Expert evaluation Science............... Nutrition............. Exercise............. Ease of use............. Meal plans............. Nutrition analysis.............	Percent of calories Fat................................ 41 Saturated fat................. 8 Carbohydrates............. 41 Protein.......................... 18 Fiber, g/1,000 cal. .......... 22 Fruits & veg., daily serv.. 12 Average daily calories..... 1,660