Mayo Clinic on Healthy Weight

by Donald D. Hensrud

A guide to achieving a healthy weight by eating right and exercising includes low-calorie recipes and tips on choosing healthy foods when eating out or shopping.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cookbooks

208 pages, Library Binding

First published December 1, 2000

Reviews

[Matthew Jankowski]

For those of us who need a roadmap. So many cookbooks have healthy recipes; single meals that may or may not be easy to prepare. Those of us who are nutritionally (or behaviorally) challenged may find more benefit with an approach that more closely resembles a battle plan. This book provides one in the form of a 3 month menu chock full of healthy, 1200 calorie per day, meals.

Battle plan in hand, I took this book to heart. For 3 months I journalled all the food I ate, I exercised, and I closely followed the menu plan in the appendix. In a 3 month period I lost 30 lbs and each day felt increasingly energetic. I have maintained my weight, mealplan, and a high level of energy for 2 years now.

Whenever I get to talking about health and nutrition with a friend I bring this book up. I think it is an invaluable aid. Anyone wishing to lose weight or increase their energy level might benefit from this book. Combine the simple approach outlined here with supportive friends for a winning combination.

Note: I work for Mayo Clinic as a computer programmer.

[Melina]

This is a great book if you're trying to watch your weight. It's very informative, and easy to understand. The tips are great, and completely realistic. It's a great general heatlh book.

[Molly]

Lots of clear information on healthy eating (not crash dieting) and strategies to increase physical activity.

[Trish Paulson]

This is the BEST book for changing your eating habits. I LOVE Mayo Clinic and this resource is very practical. I lost 30 lbs using it.

[Debbie Walsh]

I picked up this book because I have been slowly changing my diet over the years to try to maintain my weight and/or lose a few pounds when my weight starts creeping up. I try to be informed about what should be avoided as far as health consequences. I have to admit there have been times when I have been surprised about a food that I assumed is healthy and come to find out that it is not. This book helped me realize that portion sizes, even of healthy food (walnuts, avacado), are important because of their high calories. This book emphasized that calories are the reason for weight gain but does give a lot of information about health benefits of different foods. While this book is informative, there really was not anything surprising to me except to make me more aware of all of the calories I am consuming, even when the food is considered healthy. So I will be cutting back on the walnuts and avacado in my daily salad! This book also stresses the importance of exercise. It is not a long book and is an easy read so I would recommend it to someone who is looking to make changes in their diet and lifestyle but if you are informed, there really is not anything new.

[Chrisy]

Awesome. Changed the way I eat because of this book. I love that it focuses on nutrition and eating well always, and does not promote dieting. Focuses on the emotional aspects of food as well, and the book acts as your nutrition coach. It's written in a very "you can do it!" attitude, and the message is also "if you stumble along the way, don't worry you haven't failed, just keep going!" Very encouraging book and great nutritional info.

[Liz]

This one the few books on this topic that I could possibly read without being sent to a fit of major depression or rage. I feel like that are so few quality, trustworthy books on this topic available. The major pluses for this book for me were the realistic tone in which it is written, and the helpful suggestions and strategies for trying live a healthier lifestyle in the real world.

[Rose]

613.2 May

[Debbe]

Must have been my New Year's Resolution.

Mayo is always spot on.

[Cory Gimmestad]

English version.