THE STUFF YOURSELF DIET

Authors Goodman and Neuman argue that fighting weight gain and the urge to overeat might be as easy as stuffing yourself with the right kinds of foods.

Cave-dwelling humans were probably relatively fit, say Goodman and Neuman, since they had no TV, couches or convenience stores to rely on for food. Rather, our ancestors ate simple things that most likely required little or no preparation, such as fruits, grains, fish protein and vegetables. Now, obesity is a nationwide epidemic, and cases of diabetes are on the rise, costing the United States millions of dollars each year in health care. In short, the authors say, Americans have become addicted to sugar and accustomed to eating everything put in front of them, then leaning too heavily on so-called “miracle” diet plans. According to Goodman and Neuman, rather than seek out basic health information, people are more likely to rely on starvation, calorie counting and extreme exercise to obtain the weight-loss results they crave. With a mix of humor, medical science and life experience, Goodman and Neuman make the argument that eating a balanced mix of filling yet reasonably caloric foods can help in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Plus, these positive eating habits can last a lifetime. The first step to reprogramming eating habits, the authors say, is to bulk up on things like soup, salad and fish—healthy, filling foods. Their diet recommendation may not be rocket science—most people know that eating foods that are good for you will also tend to help you maintain a reasonable weight—but the authors offer a convincing mix of psychology and plain common sense to augment the work. At times, their approach seems a bit harsh, as when noting that women tend to see themselves only for their perceived faults, though no one else notices their appearance to that degree. Although their approach and writing style may be a bit unconventional—“I think I should write this entire chapter in capital letters”—the authors provide an insightful take on what and how much to eat in our daily lives.

A reasoned approach to dieting, which readers may find helpful when deciding which snack to pick from a well-stocked pantry.