You Are What You Eat

Anyone else reading this book? I'm finding it a bit hard to read (who wants to read about someone's stools?) but very interesting and I think I might start taking her advice.

I am a big french fry, apparently.   

(Sorry, Ashley.  I haven't read the book...I've just always wanted to make that stupid joke.  What is the book about-obviously food, but what's her theory?)

I am a big french fry, apparently.   

(Sorry, Ashley.  I haven't read the book...I've just always wanted to make that stupid joke. What is the book about-obviously food, but what's her theory?)

Goofy. 

 

Only for you, my dear.

Is the book basically a more detailed version of the TV show? The TV show is good train-wreck viewing, but it's starting to get a bit old as it's the exact same thing every week - showing people what they eat in a week, analyzing their poop, etc. Does she have a "plan" that applies to everyone across the board? Seems like everyone she deals with on the TV show gets a pretty specialized programme to follow....

I have the book. I generally agree with her approach which is essentially whole foods, grains, and soy. What I really like is that though her way of eating on surface seems impossible, she actually only suggests that you do it 80% of the time. Now she doesn't mean go out and eat Micky Dees the other 20%, but she does not advocate an all or nothing approach.

On the show you see tailored plans for specific nutrient deficiencies and physical symptoms. Her book details what to look for and what you could do to remedy them. For example, I seem to have symptoms that would indicate a lack of digestive enzymes. So, I've started taking some to see if there is any improvement but it takes about a month so no news yet.

The TV show is, I believe, an accelerated version of what she would normally have people do - for good viewing. I would not equate it with her book too much.

Yeah, she's a bit gross at times, but she's not really saying much different than say, the Barefoot Doctor John Biffra or some of the other nutrition writers.

All in all, I think she's pretty good. I'm trying to incorporate some of her ideas. We shall see what happens.

I have the book too and watched the show. I ws fascinated by her advice and put some of it to practice in my daily life now. I am food combining and I think I am starting to tell a difference. I don't have the boundless energy she talks about, but I don't feel as sluggish as I had. I am slowly loosing weight, so I hope it's down to that. It may all be psychosomatic (sp?!) though, who  knows. I was already on iron tabs but now I take zinc as well.  I like it. I feel better for it.  The book has some decent recipes in it too.

Hey guys, I just bought the book and started reading it last night.  WOW is all I can say.  It really puts into perspective the kind of crap people (Including me) eat!  To see the equivlent amount of sugar and lard in certain foods is scary to say the least!  But it really explains why I am always sluggish and moody.  (Not all the time of course)  I'm very interested to know how the people who read the book already and are following it's suggestions are getting by?  Is it easy to find the foods and such available?  I'm curious how certain things taste, like that superfood stuff she talks about and some of the teas, etc.  Never watched the show, how long ago was it on?  Is it ever on repeats?

I have to get Rich to read it too, he is one of the most unhealthy eaters ever and to boot he has an acid reflux problem!!!! 

I read the book in one sitting, and I think the message in it is great! I recommend it to anyone who feels sluggish, depressed, and/or overweight, because it might be the secret to make you feel better.

I'm one of those people who's pretty much obsessed with eating only healthy foods anyway--- eating fresh fruits and veggies and whole grains, eating natural and organic whenever I can, staying away from too much sugar and salt, and avoiding processed, hydrogenated, and deep fried foods at all costs. I've found that I feel GREAT -- I have so much more energy, I don't get hungry as much, and on top of that I look so much better and healthier and I stay thin. (Part of my obsession started when I became friends with a nutrition major a few years ago!) I too used to eat all the "wrong" foods myself once, and I really did feel sluggish alot, and I gained weight my first year of college.

So, from someone who's had firsthand experience about switching to a completely healthy diet, I can say that Dr. McKeith's advice about eating fresh, unprocessed foods is excellent. She also tells you which foods to avoid and what foods are making you fat and feeling depressed, which can be a real eye opener.

I also like the way she analyzes a woman's diet who's depressed and can't seem to lose weight, because you can see how little nutrients she's getting (coffee with sugar and a bag of digestive biscuits and 2 bags of crisps for lunch, for example) so her body just hoards whatever it gets and she just feels miserable.

She does go into graphic detail at times, but I think it's good if you're looking for a wakeup call as to what your diet is really doing to you.

The only problems with the book, I think, are all the kinds of exotic foods she mentions to eat regularly (where the hell am I supposed to find all those exotic types of seaweed, for example?) And the food combinations...that's just a little bit obsessive. So I wouldn't say follow everything in it religiously.

But overall, it has a great message.... AND IT WORKS!  

We got this book a while back and as others have said, found it interesting if nothing else.  We tend to eat fairly healthy....due to my intolerance to high glycemic foods, etc.  So a good chunk of what she suggests we were doing anyway.

There was a moment there where we went whole-hog and thought we'd try adding some of the more exotic foods she suggests into our diet.  We've got a tupperware of cooked, uneaten aduki beans in the fridge as I type this.  It's been there for awhile now so I think the madness has subsided for the time being. 

We did enjoy looking at each other's tongue to see what horrible problems we were having.  And I won't go into the conversation about poo it sparked.  Tho that was pretty cool, too. 

All in all, it's good information and a fun book to read.  The little bits you might take away from it can't hurt, but I can't imagine anyone going "Gillian" just from reading the book.

After reading that book I was finally able to convince my husband that the way the skin on his hands form tiny blisters that peel are a sign of zinc deficiency. Not just a condition brought on by doing dishes.

I'm slipping pumpkin seeds and pine nuts into every thing I can, so we'll see if that helps. 

I already eat fairly healthily in general if you discount my weakness for chocolate bars. It was my family I'm trying to convince to give up sugar, sodas etc. I tried to show my husband what my stepson eats in terms of sugar content every day using granulated sugar, and the volume is shocking. I think the way she helps you visualize some things makes you realize how unhealthy some things are for you when you do it on a daily basis.

I've got a large bowl of sunflower seeds that I munch on at work. Even if it doesn't help me, I feel better eating them than a candy bar or packet of crisps.

I've also started taking aloe vera juice (which is gross btw) and I've noticed an improvement which is kind of exciting and it's making me look at more of what I eat.  I've always been an energetic person to start off with, now that I'm eating a bit healthier I'm bouncing off the walls. My boss keeps commenting on it. I keep telling her that I'll grow out of it. 

My DH and I have been using her diet about 75% of the time since August and I can really tell a difference.  I think it's great. I'm two months now without a diet coke and I used to have a severe d.coke habit! I do drink the lemon morning and night and a cup of nettle tea in the am (it doens't taste as bad as it sounds!).

I've also started taking aloe vera juice (which is gross btw) and I've noticed an improvement which is kind of exciting and it's making me look at more of what I eat.  I've always been an energetic person to start off with, now that I'm eating a bit healthier I'm bouncing off the walls. My boss keeps commenting on it. I keep telling her that I'll grow out of it. 

Hmmm. This all sounds very encouraging. I've ordered the book from Amazon - hope it comes soon 'cause I'm intrigued! Isn't aloe vera juice essentially a laxative? My best friend is an herbalist and I could swear that's what I remember her saying. Ashley, if this isn't too personal a question, have you noticed that effect? The only reason I asked is that I had a bullimia problem in my 20s and abused laxatives and would rather stay away from anything that might rekindle old habits.... But if it would up my energy without that side effect I'd try it....

Ta.

Isn't aloe vera juice essentially a laxative? My best friend is an herbalist and I could swear that's what I remember her saying. Ashley, if this isn't too personal a question, have you noticed that effect? The only reason I asked is that I had a bullimia problem in my 20s and abused laxatives and would rather stay away from anything that might rekindle old habits.... But if it would up my energy without that side effect I'd try it....

Ta.

People mostly drink it to regulate their bowels. It's an aid to the whole digestive system.