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The Diet Cure
For the more than eighty million Americans who diet regularly--and without success--this amazing new program, based on ten years of proven clinical results, offers a revolutionary approach to nutrition that can safely curb your cravings and make you feel better in less than twenty-four hours. The Diet Cure begins with an 8-Step Quick Symptom Questionnaire that helps readers identify their unique underlying biochemical imbalances, such as depleted brain chemistry caused by too much dieting, hormonal irregularities, blood-sugar swings, food allergies, thyroid dysfunction, and a deficiency of "good" fats. Then it provides targeted strategies and nutritional guidelines to correct those imbalances, along with meal plans, tasty recipes, and inspiring case histories. Using amino acids to jump-start the program, readers create a safe, customized, easy-to-follow plan to end their food obsessions and attain their ideal healthy weight for good.
432 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1999
216 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
About the author
Julia Ross
13 books21 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
August 9, 2010
This book saved me.
After months of a strict low/no fat vegan lifestyle topped off with 10 days of the Master Cleans my body was MESSED UP. I came off the cleanse with out of control cravings and immediately gained 15lbs OVER the weight I started the cleanse at, not to mention that I was a weepy, grouchy b!!ch. I could not stop eating handfuls of nuts, pieces of chocolate, cheesecake etc.. - especially at night - to save my life. I heard Julia speak on a podcast and checked her book out from the library. Following the advice within has completely changed me around. Now I don't follow her recommendations to a T, nor did I buy every supplement that she suggests. Her book is seperated by chapeter for different issues, so I picked out the symptoms that were my issues and followed the recommendations for those - eating every 2-3 hours with a bit of protein to keep blood sugar stable and taking HTP supplements at noon and night to fight night time eating and sugar cravings. Thats it! And it worked. Without any effort! I don't crave sugar at all unless I let my self get really hungry and I completely quit eating after dinner. This is from someone that had to have "a little something sweet" after dinner for the last 10 years.
This book will help you by nutralizing your cravings so that you can actually STICK to a diet. I used to always feel like a failure while trying to white knuckle my self through the latest diet trends but now I see why I could never do it. My brain chemistry was so out of balance by eating SAD fare that my body would demand that I eat certain things in attempt to balance me out.
Highly recommended.
After months of a strict low/no fat vegan lifestyle topped off with 10 days of the Master Cleans my body was MESSED UP. I came off the cleanse with out of control cravings and immediately gained 15lbs OVER the weight I started the cleanse at, not to mention that I was a weepy, grouchy b!!ch. I could not stop eating handfuls of nuts, pieces of chocolate, cheesecake etc.. - especially at night - to save my life. I heard Julia speak on a podcast and checked her book out from the library. Following the advice within has completely changed me around. Now I don't follow her recommendations to a T, nor did I buy every supplement that she suggests. Her book is seperated by chapeter for different issues, so I picked out the symptoms that were my issues and followed the recommendations for those - eating every 2-3 hours with a bit of protein to keep blood sugar stable and taking HTP supplements at noon and night to fight night time eating and sugar cravings. Thats it! And it worked. Without any effort! I don't crave sugar at all unless I let my self get really hungry and I completely quit eating after dinner. This is from someone that had to have "a little something sweet" after dinner for the last 10 years.
This book will help you by nutralizing your cravings so that you can actually STICK to a diet. I used to always feel like a failure while trying to white knuckle my self through the latest diet trends but now I see why I could never do it. My brain chemistry was so out of balance by eating SAD fare that my body would demand that I eat certain things in attempt to balance me out.
Highly recommended.
March 7, 2012
This book is very solid. It explains that low calorie diets just don't work, and that when we eat foods we are allergic to or that feed a Candida problem we create food cravings.
Low calorie diets can leave you adrenally exhausted and even fatter than when you started too.
The author recommends not starving yourself, or missing meals or trying to attain a weight that for you is unrealistic. Coconut oil is recommended, along with lots of real and unprocessed foods including at least 3 tablespoons of healthy fats a day (coconut oil, lard, ghee etc.), at least 4 cups of vegetables daily, and at least 20 - 30 grams of protein at each meal. A caution is given against eating soy, and the book also provides a very good basic supplement regime. The doses given are not at all extreme or super-low.
I was really happy to see the author recommend activated B vitamins, as so few authors seem to be aware of them and their huge benefits over standard B vitamins.
The author points out the problems with the most popular diet programs such as the Zone, Atkins and Weight Watchers, for their ignorance of food allergies such as grains and dairy products, among other things.
I'd probably give this book 5 stars were it still 1999. This book is pretty wonderful and well above average for being written in 1999, but wouldn't make my top 10 list in 2012 even though I am glad I borrowed it from my local library. The author has a great writing style too.
The book discusses causes for symptoms and problems losing weight or which may cause weight gain, which is great, but many topics are just not discussed at all and some of the testing information may be outdated. For a broader view of this topic and finding out what could be causing health issues I would recommend Detoxify or Die by Dr Sherry Rogers. This book also contains good info on testing nutrient levels.
On the topic of diet, this book is still very good, but books such as Primal Body, Primal Mind: Beyond the Paleo Diet for Total Health and a Longer Life and Eat Fat, Lose Fat: The Healthy Alternative to Trans Fats give more detail and references.
This book is still miles better than a vast number of unhelpful low-calorie and anti-fat books out there though, for sure.
Jodi Bassett, The Hummingbirds' Foundation for M.E.
Low calorie diets can leave you adrenally exhausted and even fatter than when you started too.
The author recommends not starving yourself, or missing meals or trying to attain a weight that for you is unrealistic. Coconut oil is recommended, along with lots of real and unprocessed foods including at least 3 tablespoons of healthy fats a day (coconut oil, lard, ghee etc.), at least 4 cups of vegetables daily, and at least 20 - 30 grams of protein at each meal. A caution is given against eating soy, and the book also provides a very good basic supplement regime. The doses given are not at all extreme or super-low.
I was really happy to see the author recommend activated B vitamins, as so few authors seem to be aware of them and their huge benefits over standard B vitamins.
The author points out the problems with the most popular diet programs such as the Zone, Atkins and Weight Watchers, for their ignorance of food allergies such as grains and dairy products, among other things.
I'd probably give this book 5 stars were it still 1999. This book is pretty wonderful and well above average for being written in 1999, but wouldn't make my top 10 list in 2012 even though I am glad I borrowed it from my local library. The author has a great writing style too.
The book discusses causes for symptoms and problems losing weight or which may cause weight gain, which is great, but many topics are just not discussed at all and some of the testing information may be outdated. For a broader view of this topic and finding out what could be causing health issues I would recommend Detoxify or Die by Dr Sherry Rogers. This book also contains good info on testing nutrient levels.
On the topic of diet, this book is still very good, but books such as Primal Body, Primal Mind: Beyond the Paleo Diet for Total Health and a Longer Life and Eat Fat, Lose Fat: The Healthy Alternative to Trans Fats give more detail and references.
This book is still miles better than a vast number of unhelpful low-calorie and anti-fat books out there though, for sure.
Jodi Bassett, The Hummingbirds' Foundation for M.E.
November 25, 2012
This book contains some good ideas about amino acid supplementation and diet change to help balance body chemistry, but the author tends to be dismissive of any other type of help to alleviate the ailments she discusses, with the exception of her admitting that thyroid problems are generally in need of medical management.
I had a problem with some of her sweeping generalizations: according to her, we had "no cancer, no heart disease" until the advent of processed food-- this is simply not true; it was in my family long before anyone ate processed foods, and it was not well diagnosed in the days before modern medicine. Many of her similar suppositions are untrue and it dilutes her message.
She provides detailed information and schedules for the supplement programs, with modifications, so these parts of the book are helpful for people suffering from food sensitivities, thyroid issues, and so forth. It's worth reading to see an alternative or complementary method for treating some of today's more pervasive health issues.
I had a problem with some of her sweeping generalizations: according to her, we had "no cancer, no heart disease" until the advent of processed food-- this is simply not true; it was in my family long before anyone ate processed foods, and it was not well diagnosed in the days before modern medicine. Many of her similar suppositions are untrue and it dilutes her message.
She provides detailed information and schedules for the supplement programs, with modifications, so these parts of the book are helpful for people suffering from food sensitivities, thyroid issues, and so forth. It's worth reading to see an alternative or complementary method for treating some of today's more pervasive health issues.
December 20, 2011
This book literally changed my life. Although I don't consider myself to be a chronic dieter, I HAVE suffered from horrible depression throughout my adult life.
This book helped me easily create a regimen of amino acids that are helping to rebuild my serotonin and endorphin levels. The crazy thing is that I began to feel better almost instantly.
I'm actually online buying copies for my mom and friends for Christmas.
I HIGHLY recommend for anyone suffering from depression.
The Diet Cure
This book helped me easily create a regimen of amino acids that are helping to rebuild my serotonin and endorphin levels. The crazy thing is that I began to feel better almost instantly.
I'm actually online buying copies for my mom and friends for Christmas.
I HIGHLY recommend for anyone suffering from depression.
The Diet Cure
March 1, 2013
It dawned on me that this is the book I have been reading and rereading for months now, and I'd never actually added it to my Goodreads shelf.
If you struggle with your weight, this is worth looking at. In my opinion, overeating has both and emotional and a physical aspect to it. This will help cure the physical imbalances. Even after losing a great deal of weight and keeping it off for years, this helped me to fine tune my eating and I feel better than ever.
If you struggle with your weight, this is worth looking at. In my opinion, overeating has both and emotional and a physical aspect to it. This will help cure the physical imbalances. Even after losing a great deal of weight and keeping it off for years, this helped me to fine tune my eating and I feel better than ever.
March 1, 2019
This is an anti-diet book. The author eats (and encourages) 3,000 calories a day of Whole Foods! I love the information she provides about reverse dieting, nutrition for hormonal support, supplements for kicking sugar addiction, and especially all of her information about thyroid disorders. Everything is cited and researched so well. I learned a ton.
January 31, 2023
I read this book years ago but never wrote a review.
There is some good general nutrition advice in here, but the huge takeaway for me was around neurotransmitters and amino-acids.
The quick version: there are many 'brain' issues such as addiction, depression, anxiety, etc. that might be the result of a neurotransmitter being deficient. (There are other factors of course that vary based on biology and circumstance, but this is a possible reason for some people).
Because of the blood-brain barrier, you can't just ingest the missing neurotransmitter, but you can ingest the amino-acids and precursors needed to build that neurotransmitter. If it's needed, the brain will use it and you'll feel the results pretty fast (like, within 15-20 minutes). If it's not needed, then you won't.
This is a really important distinction I want to point out in this book vs others. She basically says "If this was the problem, you'll feel the desired effect within 15 to 20 minutes" Many nutrition books offer up a regimen you have to keep up for a long time, and can always point to a slip-up as a reason for it not 'working'. There are parts of the book that are like this too, but the amino acid stuff... like I said, it'll either work almost instantly and you'll realize that was the problem, or it won't and it turns out that wasn't the problem.
Over the years I've recommended some of the amino acids to friends based on symptoms she describes, and I'd say for at least 2/3 of them, it has a noticeable impact (so it was the problem for them).
There's other nutrition stuff in here of course, but the above was the first (and only) time I've encountered this amino-acid for brain function stuff explained in a biologically sound, verifiable manner.
There is some good general nutrition advice in here, but the huge takeaway for me was around neurotransmitters and amino-acids.
The quick version: there are many 'brain' issues such as addiction, depression, anxiety, etc. that might be the result of a neurotransmitter being deficient. (There are other factors of course that vary based on biology and circumstance, but this is a possible reason for some people).
Because of the blood-brain barrier, you can't just ingest the missing neurotransmitter, but you can ingest the amino-acids and precursors needed to build that neurotransmitter. If it's needed, the brain will use it and you'll feel the results pretty fast (like, within 15-20 minutes). If it's not needed, then you won't.
This is a really important distinction I want to point out in this book vs others. She basically says "If this was the problem, you'll feel the desired effect within 15 to 20 minutes" Many nutrition books offer up a regimen you have to keep up for a long time, and can always point to a slip-up as a reason for it not 'working'. There are parts of the book that are like this too, but the amino acid stuff... like I said, it'll either work almost instantly and you'll realize that was the problem, or it won't and it turns out that wasn't the problem.
Over the years I've recommended some of the amino acids to friends based on symptoms she describes, and I'd say for at least 2/3 of them, it has a noticeable impact (so it was the problem for them).
There's other nutrition stuff in here of course, but the above was the first (and only) time I've encountered this amino-acid for brain function stuff explained in a biologically sound, verifiable manner.
September 9, 2014
The information in this book is good for the most part, and the research seems to be there. However, I think it is lacking in the area of side effects as other reviews have mentioned and I am not completely convinced that aminos can work on their own in a sort of topping off the pot sort of way, but I have been trying it out with nothing stellar to report. It sounds great in theory, and I have no doubt that she has seen results, but I am wondering if this is all just a self regimented placebo effect.
The nutrition part of the book near the end is off in my opinion since the book seems to support low carbohydrate eating yet recommends too many gluten free whole grains, legumes, starches, and seems to really play down the amount of natural fats one should be eating. Oh no, there's about 70% milk fat in cheddar cheese, oh my! ...AND...so what. That fat is going to stop my cravings, not the 1 cup a day of healthy grains she recommends, which are actually going to keep my body on the roller coaster requiring me to keep spending money on aminos. Hey there's a thought.
Additionally, she touts eating right for your blood type and food combining which had the factual lids blown off them a long time ago. So for more factual nutrition please see books written by Sally Fallon/Weston A. Price Foundation, Gary Taubes, Dr Michael Eades, and Mark Sisson.
The nutrition part of the book near the end is off in my opinion since the book seems to support low carbohydrate eating yet recommends too many gluten free whole grains, legumes, starches, and seems to really play down the amount of natural fats one should be eating. Oh no, there's about 70% milk fat in cheddar cheese, oh my! ...AND...so what. That fat is going to stop my cravings, not the 1 cup a day of healthy grains she recommends, which are actually going to keep my body on the roller coaster requiring me to keep spending money on aminos. Hey there's a thought.
Additionally, she touts eating right for your blood type and food combining which had the factual lids blown off them a long time ago. So for more factual nutrition please see books written by Sally Fallon/Weston A. Price Foundation, Gary Taubes, Dr Michael Eades, and Mark Sisson.
July 31, 2013
Surprisingly fantastic, except for being too long, and repetitive. The core message here, of certain deficiencies, and the need to supplement with amino acids (and eat protein at every meal), is sound. Also the descriptive accuracy of what lots of people see as "diets" is probably correct: i.e. they starve themselves, which adds weight. Also, not all calories are created equally, which seems obvious. I'm increasingly of the opinion that food augments one's mental state a great deal, and I'll read the Mood Cure too, even though I expect it to be mostly the same material.
October 14, 2012
I found this an interesting book. While some of the science, or the author's conclusions raised some questions for me, much does fit with more and more of the science that I have seen. Also, this is the first time that I saw wheat and other gluten-containing grains identified as types of grass. So, several points answered many questions for me for the first time. Next, I plan to see if the amino supplementation combined with dietary change will make a difference for me.
April 22, 2013
I liked this. Some actually new-to-me information, mostly around supplements and amino acids. Most of the food recommendations were pretty similar to paleo / primal recommendations, which I liked. Overall, the main supplement protocol seems designed to help you into that method of eating without going through the crazy sugar / carb withdrawal, but there's also additional advice for people who deal with other metabolic conditions like adrenal fatigue, thyroid issues, and hormonal imbalances.
June 22, 2013
A very useful read - a thorough a reference book on curing all kinds of nutritional and emotional imbalances through food. I definitely feel enlightened on more than one point.
I'd have appreciated a more guidebook-like layout and formatting, more charts and pictures and less text. It's a bit hard to navigate without any signposts.
I'd have appreciated a more guidebook-like layout and formatting, more charts and pictures and less text. It's a bit hard to navigate without any signposts.
September 6, 2013
This and "The Mood Cure" are two of my favorite, go-to books when helping other people deal with health and emotional issues, or when I find myself in need of some guidance in the "food-as-medicine" department. Easy to read, easy to use.
December 1, 2016
I'm a huge fan of Dr. Ross, as I have learned so much from her about the power of amino acid therapy in helping build up a healthy level of good moods and stress-handling moods that help me and my clients make better choices more easily and more often because the world "just seems better" and things "just seem easier". This is an excellent book covering all the main foundational dysfunctions that can cause weight gain or an inability to lose weight (like underreating, eating low-fat, adrenal fatigue, blood sugar imbalance, thyroid issues, hormonal issues, etc). It also addresses people's inability to have the "willpower" to sustainably eat healthy foods, which is such a powerful truth so few of us recognize: it's not laziness or a lack of "willpower", it's a lack of neurotransmitters and nutrient balance! I agree with almost all of her nutritional recommendations. I also felt like this book covers thyroid issues far better than any other "diet book" I've ever read and will consider it a great resource in the future.
October 25, 2022
Creo que puede ser un buen libro a leer si tienes algún problema real de salud y sospechas que puede estar relacionado con la alimentación. La autora parte de 8 desajustes principales en los que podría encontrarse tu problema y el resto del libro propone soluciones.
La falta de un problema real, unido a la dificultad y el peligro de "auto-diagnosticarte" leyendo un libro me hizo no acabar de leerlo. Aporta ciertos conocimientos interesantes, pero para llevarlos a la vida diaria creo que sería imprescindible tener "a mano" un médico "de la misma cuerda" que la autora.
La falta de un problema real, unido a la dificultad y el peligro de "auto-diagnosticarte" leyendo un libro me hizo no acabar de leerlo. Aporta ciertos conocimientos interesantes, pero para llevarlos a la vida diaria creo que sería imprescindible tener "a mano" un médico "de la misma cuerda" que la autora.
August 2, 2019
I would give this 3.75 stars. To be fair, I am not into supplements. I almost feel the book should be titled The Supplement Cure, but I guess you can read the title two ways. I thought it was curing through Diet, rather than curing the Diet issues. I would have liked more focus on getting what you should have through food. But I did like the information about why you have cravings related to brain chemistry. So still worth reading or skimming.
February 6, 2018
Really interesting information. After finishing the book I took the appropriate amino acids and felt great. My mind felt clear and it helped me curb my sweet tooth. While I was taking my amino acids I truly didn't crave the foods that I was normally tempted by.
June 17, 2019
The amino acid supplementation routine is the ONLY thing that has ever helped my emotional eating! Also fewer headaches and overall generally better sleep and mental balance. That is the only section I have used, but that section alone is worth its weight in gold for me.
February 15, 2020
Unique piece of knowledge
I really enjoy the diet and BCAA supplements that are provided by the authors. They really help me to level up the training and results that are built with my clients!
I really enjoy the diet and BCAA supplements that are provided by the authors. They really help me to level up the training and results that are built with my clients!
March 7, 2020
This book saved my life, I finally got some answers for my eating behaviour and since I started her protocol I feel a completely different person, a human being that eats like a normal human being. Highly recommended.
September 1, 2018
A lot of information, some relevant, some not. Some outdated. A rather lengthy and repetitive book.
March 18, 2019
Trying the amino acids and eating plan this week. If this works it will literally be life changing!
April 8, 2019
Absolutely fascinating, eye opening read. Now to implement.
June 9, 2019
An excellent resource for anyone sick of yo-yoing weight!
January 14, 2020
Horrifically outdated reading it in 2020 and borderline dangerous advice.
Read
April 14, 2020Will post a star rating if I figure out how to implement the information in this book.
April 25, 2020
Covered a lot of issues. Strong emphasis on supplements.
April 7, 2014
Now, you might think it strange that I’m writing a book review for “The Diet Cure” by Julia Ross. While I am a health coach, I don’t specialize in weight loss. Instead, I specialize in helping people recover from symptoms of chronic neurological and/or autoimmune issues like autism, ADHD, allergies, asthma, SPD, lupus, fibromyalgia, Lyme and more.
But I don’t like throwing the baby out with the bath water, so I read the book to see what’s in it for my clients. There’s a lot!
In the book, Ms. Ross teaches us about adrenal, thyroid, yeast-overgrowth, nutritional deficiencies, fatty-acid deficiency, food sensitivities and blood-sugar issues, which are all common in my clients (both the children and their mothers) and how many of these issues can be controlled with diet (food choices) as well as amino acid therapy.
She recommends a whole-foods diet for all of these issues, as well as an Atkins-ish diet especially for those with blood sugar issues. It’s about the elimination of sugar with an emphasis on protein and fats to keep you full. For anyone that’s ever done the Atkins diet, you know that one piece of bread will send you into a carb-lover’s binge-fest.
Ms. Ross provides us with the missing links for why the Atkins diet is not successful in the long run:
“Dr. Atkins did not know that carbs could be more addictive than cocaine.”
“Dr. Atkins specifically did not recognize the addictive power of grains, particularly wheat, for many people.”
The key to overcoming carb and sugar addiction is the addition of the amino acids that Ms. Ross recommends.
The book goes step-by-step into explaining how the factors I mentioned above as well as depleted brain chemistry and malnutrition from chronic dieting make it almost impossible to stay at a healthy weight. Ms. Ross also shows us how to correct these imbalances.
Given that Ms. Ross has headed up the Recovery Systems Clinic for many years, she has dealt with the full gamut of different types of addiction (drug, alcohol and food). She writes that the reason her clinic is so successful is because of the use of amino acid therapy to correct these biochemical imbalances in the brain and elsewhere. It’s not willpower; it’s biochemistry.
When I read this book, I took a step back and looked at it from my perspective of not only a health coach but also the media director and a board member of Epidemic Answers, a non-profit that lets parents know that recovery is possible from autism, ADHD, SPD, allergies, asthma, autoimmune and more.
We let parents know WHY there is such an epidemic of children’s chronic illnesses: it’s a perfect storm of the Standard American diet that is nutritionally deficient, the overuse of antibiotics, toxins in our environment, stressful lifestyles and gut dysbiosis (an imbalance of good vs. bad gut flora).
But when I read this book, I thought, “Huh. All those women that have been on nutritionally deficient diets for years since at least the 1970′s are having kids, and those kids are being born with nutritional deficiencies that are compounded by gut dysbiosis, toxicity and stress. No wonder we’re seeing such epidemics of autism, ADHD, allergies and more.”
Moms being on nutritionally deficient diets isn’t the only reason for this epidemic, but it certainly plays a key, overlooked role.
I’ll be hosting Ms. Ross on my upcoming webinar on April 23, 2014 at 1:00pm ET. We’ll be discussing these imbalances and how to correct them with amino acids and diet, and you can sign up for your chance to ask questions here.
But I don’t like throwing the baby out with the bath water, so I read the book to see what’s in it for my clients. There’s a lot!
In the book, Ms. Ross teaches us about adrenal, thyroid, yeast-overgrowth, nutritional deficiencies, fatty-acid deficiency, food sensitivities and blood-sugar issues, which are all common in my clients (both the children and their mothers) and how many of these issues can be controlled with diet (food choices) as well as amino acid therapy.
She recommends a whole-foods diet for all of these issues, as well as an Atkins-ish diet especially for those with blood sugar issues. It’s about the elimination of sugar with an emphasis on protein and fats to keep you full. For anyone that’s ever done the Atkins diet, you know that one piece of bread will send you into a carb-lover’s binge-fest.
Ms. Ross provides us with the missing links for why the Atkins diet is not successful in the long run:
“Dr. Atkins did not know that carbs could be more addictive than cocaine.”
“Dr. Atkins specifically did not recognize the addictive power of grains, particularly wheat, for many people.”
The key to overcoming carb and sugar addiction is the addition of the amino acids that Ms. Ross recommends.
The book goes step-by-step into explaining how the factors I mentioned above as well as depleted brain chemistry and malnutrition from chronic dieting make it almost impossible to stay at a healthy weight. Ms. Ross also shows us how to correct these imbalances.
Given that Ms. Ross has headed up the Recovery Systems Clinic for many years, she has dealt with the full gamut of different types of addiction (drug, alcohol and food). She writes that the reason her clinic is so successful is because of the use of amino acid therapy to correct these biochemical imbalances in the brain and elsewhere. It’s not willpower; it’s biochemistry.
When I read this book, I took a step back and looked at it from my perspective of not only a health coach but also the media director and a board member of Epidemic Answers, a non-profit that lets parents know that recovery is possible from autism, ADHD, SPD, allergies, asthma, autoimmune and more.
We let parents know WHY there is such an epidemic of children’s chronic illnesses: it’s a perfect storm of the Standard American diet that is nutritionally deficient, the overuse of antibiotics, toxins in our environment, stressful lifestyles and gut dysbiosis (an imbalance of good vs. bad gut flora).
But when I read this book, I thought, “Huh. All those women that have been on nutritionally deficient diets for years since at least the 1970′s are having kids, and those kids are being born with nutritional deficiencies that are compounded by gut dysbiosis, toxicity and stress. No wonder we’re seeing such epidemics of autism, ADHD, allergies and more.”
Moms being on nutritionally deficient diets isn’t the only reason for this epidemic, but it certainly plays a key, overlooked role.
I’ll be hosting Ms. Ross on my upcoming webinar on April 23, 2014 at 1:00pm ET. We’ll be discussing these imbalances and how to correct them with amino acids and diet, and you can sign up for your chance to ask questions here.
January 6, 2014
A reminder that you are what you eat, Julia Ross takes a refreshing look at vitality and health through the lens of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and whole foods. Instead of lambasting those of us who succumb to the temptation of potato chips and ice cream as devoid of will power, she asks us to explore why we are drawn to those foods and what our bodies might be trying to tell us. In all likelihood, your body craves fat, the good kind, and Ross explores lifelong, sustainable solutions to wellness.
Out with the low-calorie, starvation mindset, Ross echoes what so many of the pro-food, traditionalists out there seem to be saying: whole grains (light on the gluten), unprocessed meats, oceanic fish, loads of fresh veggies, and plenty of healthy fats (olives, nuts, avocados) for a life of steady blood sugar, steady weight, and disinterest in all things sweet and starchy.
To get us there, Ross proposes a plan of supplements and vitamins meant to address deficiencies--the result of years of dieting and poor nutrition--and to calm cravings while we build up a habit of eating quality foods. Given all the recent hooplah about supplements and vitamins being nothing more than placebos, I am curious to see if downing l-glutamine will help come the 4 PM chocolate craving.
All in all, this is a breath of fresh air. Instead of weigh-ins, calipers, and abiding by the size 0 model, Ross shows us that pinching an inch is actually normal and healthy, and that loading up on healthy fats and meats (eggs!!) actually helps with weight maintenance and self-esteem. So, read this if you want to go to the source of the problem, curing the self-doubt and digestive malaise that is the result of years of trying to look like Twiggy ... when, really, you've been a Marilyn all along.
Out with the low-calorie, starvation mindset, Ross echoes what so many of the pro-food, traditionalists out there seem to be saying: whole grains (light on the gluten), unprocessed meats, oceanic fish, loads of fresh veggies, and plenty of healthy fats (olives, nuts, avocados) for a life of steady blood sugar, steady weight, and disinterest in all things sweet and starchy.
To get us there, Ross proposes a plan of supplements and vitamins meant to address deficiencies--the result of years of dieting and poor nutrition--and to calm cravings while we build up a habit of eating quality foods. Given all the recent hooplah about supplements and vitamins being nothing more than placebos, I am curious to see if downing l-glutamine will help come the 4 PM chocolate craving.
All in all, this is a breath of fresh air. Instead of weigh-ins, calipers, and abiding by the size 0 model, Ross shows us that pinching an inch is actually normal and healthy, and that loading up on healthy fats and meats (eggs!!) actually helps with weight maintenance and self-esteem. So, read this if you want to go to the source of the problem, curing the self-doubt and digestive malaise that is the result of years of trying to look like Twiggy ... when, really, you've been a Marilyn all along.
September 12, 2012
An older book (1999) so outdated in some advice (eg. no distilled vinegar or oats for celiacs) but a worthwhile read nonetheless. Main premise is that you can acheive your " natural" weight by dropping the habit of dieting and instead balancing your hormones & correcting any amino acid deficiencies - some pretty cool case studies & what looks like well documented science. Especially helpful for anorexics, bullimics, yo-yo dieters, vegetarians or vegans, pre- or menopausal women - hey, that's damn near everybody! I have a couple of bones to pick, though.
1. "Natural weight" hmmmmm, sounds vague. What if my natural weight is something gargantuan that I cannot live with?
2. We should all be eating a minimum of 2100 calories daily, preferably closer to 2500?!? (As long as they're from quality, whole food sources) Wow! A seductive theory, but who the hell is brave enough to try that one out & risk the weight gain?!? Maybe I'll try it out this winter & hide beneath a giant parka if I explode. Let ya know.
3. I do NOT want to get to the point where I no longer desire coffee & chocolate!!! If I wanted to be some ascetic fanatic...well I DON'T! No, I don't want to shovel in a bag of Milky Ways every day (never happened ;P ) but a small piece of dark chocolate & a few cups of half-caff are a few of the glories of life!!! Hopefully I can retain these small vices & still rock a hot bod (probably not) - either way it's not worth it!
1. "Natural weight" hmmmmm, sounds vague. What if my natural weight is something gargantuan that I cannot live with?
2. We should all be eating a minimum of 2100 calories daily, preferably closer to 2500?!? (As long as they're from quality, whole food sources) Wow! A seductive theory, but who the hell is brave enough to try that one out & risk the weight gain?!? Maybe I'll try it out this winter & hide beneath a giant parka if I explode. Let ya know.
3. I do NOT want to get to the point where I no longer desire coffee & chocolate!!! If I wanted to be some ascetic fanatic...well I DON'T! No, I don't want to shovel in a bag of Milky Ways every day (never happened ;P ) but a small piece of dark chocolate & a few cups of half-caff are a few of the glories of life!!! Hopefully I can retain these small vices & still rock a hot bod (probably not) - either way it's not worth it!
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