The Rebel Diet: Feed Your Appetite and Lose Weight with 100 Defiantly Delicious Recipes

by Benji Xavier

Cook lighter, leaner, and happier with TikTok and Instagram star Benji Xavier.

Benji Xavier is beloved by millions of fans for his sardonic humor and enthusiastic approach to cooking, but he’s best known for his creative recipes and realistic approach to healthy eating. By swapping high-calorie ingredients like sugar, full-fat dairy, and fatty meats for healthier, lower-calorie ingredients, he creates lighter versions of your favorite recipes that are delicious but also less calorie dense. Benji's approach to cooking is proof that it's possible to eat leaner and lighter, and also develop a healthier relationship with food.

In The Rebel Diet, Benji shares the recipes that fueled his weight-loss journey, including healthier versions of Chicken Alfredo Pasta, Sheet Pan Nachos, Birria Tacos, an amazing Tanghulu, and more. Healthy food can taste good, and Benji is here to show you how to satisfy those comfort food cravings with lighter, leaner, protein-packed dishes that deliver all the flavor of the originals. In it, you’ll

Lower-calorie, higher-protein versions of your fast-food favorites.Superfast, craveable snacks to replace packaged chips and crackers.Healthy, easy-to-make meals that don’t require special ingredients or hours of prep.
Let go of restrictive diets and obsessive calorie counting and embrace the joy of eating, one healthy recipe at a time.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 31, 2024

Reviews

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm dieting per se, but have generally changed my lifestyle to a lower calorie intake. So it's always nice to find some inspiration as far as new recipes go. There are quite a few interesting ones in this book that I can't wait to try, especially those calling for fresh vegetables (preferably from our garden).
Most recipes in this book are pictured and all have good step by step instructions and extra information. Calorie count seems a bit low for some recipes. 3.5 stars

[Carrie McConn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been following Benji on IG for a while, and while there's some good stuff in here, these are not the same as what he posts online. So it's new stuff, not a compilation of posted recipes videos (in book form). He does write that in the beginning too.
The sauces look fantastic! Looking forward to trying a bunch of these out.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not really on TikTok so I wasn't familiar with this author's videos. But when I read the forward to the book, his story is compelling. The recipes are easy, and generally pretty quick; there is a photo for every recipe, and most of the ingredients would be pretty easy to get. He does use an air fryer a lot, but you could use your broiler or oven in its place.

The recipes are a little young (pizza burritos anyone?) and often don't feed 4-6 (though you could easily double). I thought that the salads (warm broccoli salad) and dinners were the strongest chapters, along with the dressings. The dressings are super easy and not at all intimidating. He uses fat-free things in some places where I would use low-fat for flavor, but that's a personal thing. Each recipe includes full nutrition information.

This is a really useful book if you're looking to eat more healthy. Due to some of the recipes being mash ups that I think are geared a little younger, this is perfect for someone in college or recently on their own to get some healthy recipe ideas. It's also good if you cook for teens - most of these would not be identifiable as healthy recipes, because they don't taste low fat. The portions might be a little smaller than what you're use to, but if you round it out with a salad, I don't think anyone would notice.

[What Angie Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book and have made several recipes already, which we liked a lot, but have to take one star off because some of the calorie calculations are way off. I have run some of the recipes through multiple apps, and some always come back way higher in calories than written or some way less. Some are almost double the calories written down. I wish it was more thorough and accurate in that department. I would encourage people who are keeping track of macros to run the recipes through a calculator (even spices - although I know nobody gets fat on too much garlic powder :) before making them to see if they fit into their daily plan. The book is a great asset to have, and anybody trying to have a healthy lifestyle should find something motivating and interesting in it. I love the chapter on sauce and dressings since most sold at the store are lacking flavour, and the ones in the book have turned out great so far!

[Adel Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like any cookbook, I'm not going to use ALL these recipes, but there's plenty in here I will definitely be trying. The author points out that when wanting to improve your health thru nutrition and improve your relationship with food, it's important to learn how to modify foods you already like using healthier and less caloric ingredients, and these recipes show how to do that by-example.

The author is very relatable and the recipes are incredibly accessible -- ANYONE can make them, no fancy techniques required, the ingredients lists are relatively short (and the spices you probably already have on-hand), and almost all the recipes are less than 7-ish steps to make!

He does use an air fryer for quite a few recipes, which I don't have, but he gives alternative oven directions which is very helpful.

[Maria Kammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always on the lookout for fun, healthy new recipes. This title fits the bill. I'm not a big Tik-Tok person so I wasn't familiar with the author's online presence. This cookbook is very well organized featuring a table of contents by recipe type: breakfast, lunch, etc. as well as an index that organizes recipes by name and key ingredient. As a librarian I feel that these 2 features are an absolute must in any cookbook or non-fiction title. The introduction was also well written featuring the author's story, how the "diet" works, pantry/fridge must-haves, kitchen equipment and several useful tips. Both newbies to healthy eating as well as seasoned veterans will benefit from reading this section, don't skip it. I'm excited to try the bulk of these recipes which utilize many common ingredients, thus no trip to a specialty store will be necessary.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Benji has popped up in my feed a few times. And today was no different. I decided to check his book out.

Annoyingly the recipe I wanted that had brought me to checking out his book, was not in the book and I had closed the window. Thankfully I've found it again after much searching.

I judge a recipe book based off if any of the recipes actually make me want to make them, and it needs to be a minimum of 2-3.
Technically I book marked 5 that I like the idea of. I don't know if I'd make it exactly as he did. I personally am not fond of low calorie sprays (soy lecithin that destroy my cooking pans), nor do I get on with most alternative sugars.

But 5 from the book, and the original video that inspired me to check out the book... So I guess that's not bad at all.

[Citri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't be the only one who read this book with the screechy Be My Lover song stuck in my head, or other sound effects he's used in his videos.

I like Benji's content and definitely support him as a creator. But honestly? This book is a little basic. If you watch his Tiktoks and also watch/read generic healthy recipe content, you will kinda already know about most of the healthy swaps or meal ideas in this. So this was nothing groundbreaking for me personally, but could definitely be useful for someone with not much cooking experience. It's a good book, don't get me wrong, I was just expecting a bit more razzle dazzle!

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not on social media so I have no idea who the author was but I'm always on the lookout to shake up my routine and add new recipes to my meal plan.

The Rebel Diet doesn't offer anything new or that I haven't heard/read before.

You need to change your relationship with food, have a healthier mindset towards it instead of stereotyping certain foods are bad for you and eat in moderation.

There are some recipes I would try, but the author's tips and hacks are nothing I haven't read in previous books.

I enjoyed the photos and the easy to follow instructions; nothing is hard to make.

[Sarah Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have tried three recipes so far from this cookbook and I am overall pretty impressed. I really like the recipes in this book- they are not too difficult to conceptualize or make, but they focus on making healthier swaps in food you already eat with ingredients you probably have on hand. Some of the measurements seem a little off- like for the overnight oats they turned wayyyy too soupy for my liking- but most of that is personal preference that I can adjust. I do not track calories strictly, so I do not have any input about the accuracy of the macros. I loaned this book from my local library, but I would consider purchasing it.

[Doreen Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome cookbook!

So over the past year I have lost 80 lbs with the help of a dietician. I was looking for new recipes and decided to give this cookbook a try after following Benji on Tiktok. I am extremely pleased with the content. It checks all the boxes. High protein, mindful carbs and calorie deficit. Recipes are easy with normal ingredients. Nutritional info is included for each recipe. Now I'm headed to the grocery store to buy everything I need to meal prep for the week!! Thanks Benji, you scored with this cookbook!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!

I’ve made a few Benji Xavier recipes and wanted to get the new book. So glad I did! Lots of great ideas for healthy recipes that taste delicious. I can’t wait to try them out.

[Rochelle Benoit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very surprised to see this delivered early. All the recipes sound delicious and I've already prepared a shopping list to try a few this week. Thanks, Benji! Your videos are awesome. 😊

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Karina Whitley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely going to try a lot of these recipes!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good recipes

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really yummy receipes.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Versatile, and easy recipes that look sooo good.