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The Calorie, Carb & Fat Bible 2007

Reviewed by WLR Dietitian, Lyndel Costain BSc RD

What’s the theory?

No gimmicks here. The calorie, carb and fat bible shoots straight from the hip with the plain facts about weight loss. Liposuction aside, you can only lose weight if you consume fewer calories than you burn. And this clear and comprehensive book gives you the tools to count calories and eat the right amount to lose weight healthily – and for life.

What does the diet involve?

The diet involves ‘taking control of calories’. The bulk of the book is a calorie (and carbohydrate, fat and fibre) counter for 21,000 foods, including popular foods eaten out. Calorie information is provided per 100g and per average portion. It also contains reference charts for personal calorie needs for different rates of weight loss, and weight maintenance.

Using the provided food diary you simply write down everything you eat, work out the calorie content and aim to keep to your chosen calorie target. You can also earn extra calories to spend on food by doing more exercise; tools are provided to help you.

This means you decide what you eat and can include favourite foods (and not feel deprived) rather than try to follow complicated diet rules – that never last for long! And to make sure your diet is healthy and balanced, simple pointers about portion sizes, food groups and healthy proportions are provided.

How much weight will I lose?

Up to 1 to 2 pounds a week, which is the healthy rate to lose weight.

What else does the book include?

It also comes with guidance on how to assess your weight, facts about weight loss and top tips for getting started, keeping on going and then keeping the weight off.

Lyndel’s verdict

This is a refreshing, no-nonsense guide for healthy weight control. Any diet, no matter what it might promise, is simply a set of rules that helps you to consume fewer calories than you burn.

The Bible puts you in control and will also help people who are eating healthily but still can’t shift the pounds – they will you see how important portion sizes are, and how each little nibble here and there, really adds up.

The book itself could have more practical detail about overcoming problem areas and being more active. I would also like to see mention of the benefits of aiming to lose 10% of your weight, at least as a first step. Evidence suggests that for most people this is both very beneficial and realistic. But overall this is great book to have as part of your long-term weight control tool kit. I am glad it is now part of mine! 

Useful Links

Get your copy of The Calorie, Carb and Fat Bible from Diet and Fitness Resources and save £2.

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