What do you think?
Rate this book
The Save-Your-Life-Diet: High-Fiber Protection
High fiber is the way to go. This cookbook is more than a pretty cookbook. Dr. and Mrs. Reuben explain in detail the logic behind each chapter--including such fascinating facts as the facts as the hypocrisy of the 'polyunsaturated fat fad,' why 'starches' aren't fattening, and the hidden dangers in common vegetables.
Out of print
Out of print
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
About the author
David Reuben
24 books11 followersDavid Reuben, M. D., is a Physician and Surgeon with a specialty in Psychiatry. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and served his residency at the Cook County Hospital in Chicago. After internship and residency he served as a Medical Officer with the U.S. Air Force before establishing his own medical offices. He has practiced medicine in Illinois, and California.
His books have been New York Times best-sellers and have been published in more than fifty countries in over fifty languages.
Dr. Reuben is especially known for his first Number One best-seller, Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask™, that reached approximately one hundred fifty million readers around the world.
His other eight books have revolutionized scientific concepts of good health in many ways. For example, The Save-Your-Life Diet™ transformed the dietary habits in America as well as in many countries around the world. Just check your supermarket shelves to see how many products now showcase their fiber content.
His books have been New York Times best-sellers and have been published in more than fifty countries in over fifty languages.
Dr. Reuben is especially known for his first Number One best-seller, Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask™, that reached approximately one hundred fifty million readers around the world.
His other eight books have revolutionized scientific concepts of good health in many ways. For example, The Save-Your-Life Diet™ transformed the dietary habits in America as well as in many countries around the world. Just check your supermarket shelves to see how many products now showcase their fiber content.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 25, 2022
This book published in 1976 was one of Dr. David Reuben’s early efforts to alert the public about the connection between what they ate and their risk of disease. He was one of the first to focus on the role of fiber in the American diet and how the lack of this nutrient played a significant role in the incidence of illness such as heart attacks, Crohn’s disease and diverticulitis as well as contributing to the common problem of constipation.
Reuben describes how our diets have changed significantly over the years, including more processed foods, meat, sugar, fewer vegetables and most importantly, less fiber. After reviewing the evidence, his message is clear: increasing the amount of fiber in our diet lessens our vulnerability to disease and the simple step of increasing our intake of fiber rich food, helps mitigate that risk.
Reuben carefully reviews the scientific evidence linking diets low in fiber to increase in diseases such as colon cancer, diabetes and appendicitis. He keeps his narrative simple and devoid of medical jargon so the information is easy to understand. He explains how bran was present in our diets in the past and remains a part of the diet in some third world countries where many serious diseases present in the west, are virtually unknown.
The absence of bran in the American diet began with the introduction of new methods in milling flour. These processes removed the outer bran and the germ, the most important part of the grain which contains most of its nutrients. As a result, the white flour currently used in producing cereals, cakes, pies and cookies, contains little nutrition.
Reuben then moves on to explain the present research supporting his theory that by increasing the consumption of high fiber foods such as whole grains, beans, lentils, fresh fruit and vegetables, everyone can take an important step in improving their nutrition and overall health.
Increasing the fiber in your diet requires a conscious effort and Reuben has a final section of the book which includes recipes designed to help readers do that in simple ways.
This was an easy but thought provoking read and some may find that after putting down the book, they think twice about that tasty donut they usually have with their morning coffee and substitute an apple instead.
Reuben describes how our diets have changed significantly over the years, including more processed foods, meat, sugar, fewer vegetables and most importantly, less fiber. After reviewing the evidence, his message is clear: increasing the amount of fiber in our diet lessens our vulnerability to disease and the simple step of increasing our intake of fiber rich food, helps mitigate that risk.
Reuben carefully reviews the scientific evidence linking diets low in fiber to increase in diseases such as colon cancer, diabetes and appendicitis. He keeps his narrative simple and devoid of medical jargon so the information is easy to understand. He explains how bran was present in our diets in the past and remains a part of the diet in some third world countries where many serious diseases present in the west, are virtually unknown.
The absence of bran in the American diet began with the introduction of new methods in milling flour. These processes removed the outer bran and the germ, the most important part of the grain which contains most of its nutrients. As a result, the white flour currently used in producing cereals, cakes, pies and cookies, contains little nutrition.
Reuben then moves on to explain the present research supporting his theory that by increasing the consumption of high fiber foods such as whole grains, beans, lentils, fresh fruit and vegetables, everyone can take an important step in improving their nutrition and overall health.
Increasing the fiber in your diet requires a conscious effort and Reuben has a final section of the book which includes recipes designed to help readers do that in simple ways.
This was an easy but thought provoking read and some may find that after putting down the book, they think twice about that tasty donut they usually have with their morning coffee and substitute an apple instead.
November 26, 2014
After my physician told me I needed to consider medication for my high blood pressure, I tried multiple diets to improve my health. But Dr. Reuben's "Save-your-life-diet" has been the only food plan that has genuinely helped me lower my blood pressure, avoid medication, and just feel generally better. Dr. Reuben does a great job of explaining how food habits can effect health and I really appreciate his clear and decisive writing style. I have friends who also have medical problems and I am recommending this book to them as well!
February 4, 2018
Rereading a book from mid seventies.
This was a book I read for a class sophomore year of college. I wanted to see how the ideas on nutrition held up after 40 years.
This book was considered revolutionary for its ideas on the relationship between dietary fiber and diseases. Definitely an interesting read, especially the early part where he examines the diet and diseases of non Western societies.
This was a book I read for a class sophomore year of college. I wanted to see how the ideas on nutrition held up after 40 years.
This book was considered revolutionary for its ideas on the relationship between dietary fiber and diseases. Definitely an interesting read, especially the early part where he examines the diet and diseases of non Western societies.
June 28, 2017
The book changed my life. I read it about 40 years ago. I started adding bran to "everything".
My health and digestion have been excellent. His arguments for adding fiber are logical even if you do not know a whole lot about nutrition.
My health and digestion have been excellent. His arguments for adding fiber are logical even if you do not know a whole lot about nutrition.
October 19, 2020
I run innto this book by recommendation in the other book (the word power).
I enjoy the first either chapters. the last one will be saved as cookbook recipes. Not every recipe is quick and convenient, in fact you have to prepare everything from the scratch (maybe because you have to put bran into it, I’m not sure).
It’s quite repetition of an idea of putting more fiber to help the colo and use it as all-cure-solution, this quite an cliche.
Anyway, this is a good read. I’m buying some wheat bran and adapting new eating habits and waiting something happen.
I enjoy the first either chapters. the last one will be saved as cookbook recipes. Not every recipe is quick and convenient, in fact you have to prepare everything from the scratch (maybe because you have to put bran into it, I’m not sure).
It’s quite repetition of an idea of putting more fiber to help the colo and use it as all-cure-solution, this quite an cliche.
Anyway, this is a good read. I’m buying some wheat bran and adapting new eating habits and waiting something happen.
August 18, 2025
Cracker recipe is worth investment in the book
Roughage is valuable and getting back to basics is the way to go.
Ultimately a PlantBased and mostly raw diet will do,it. Including some dried fruits will crank up the fiber and healthfulness of the diet.
Roughage is valuable and getting back to basics is the way to go.
Ultimately a PlantBased and mostly raw diet will do,it. Including some dried fruits will crank up the fiber and healthfulness of the diet.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews