The DIY Spud Fit Challenge: A how-to guide to tackling food addiction with the humble spud.

by Andrew Taylor, Mandy van Zanen, Tim Steele (Foreword)

Is 'quitting food' the key to losing over 110 pounds (50kgs) in eight months, beating clinical depression and anxiety and discovering the best mental and physical health of your life? For Andrew 'Spud Fit' Taylor, the Aussie father who embarked on a potato-only diet for the entirety of 2016, this has certainly been the case. In this Spud Fit Challenge DIY guide, featuring twelve super simple (and cheap!) recipes and a variety of mindfulness techniques to help you reset your body and mind, he shows you the how's, what's and why's of his unusual regime - the tale of which went viral and captivated people across the globe. It's a scenario that will be depressingly familiar to all 'experienced dieters': towards the end of 2015, the former elite junior kayaker found himself more than 120 pounds (55kgs) overweight and feeling helpless, frustrated and in despair after yet another failed attempt at losing weight. With a lifetime of fad diets that only ever aimed to treat symptoms behind him, and armed only with the advice of 'the experts' whose discussion always began and ended with the message 'simply' to practise moderation, he had reached an impasse. Why couldn't he do moderation, like 'normal' people seemed to be able to? Sitting on the couch that day having reached his lowest point and not knowing the way out of the black hole that was swallowing his ability to enjoy life, he had that lightbulb he was addicted to food. His mind raced - no other addict would ever be told to practise moderation, they would be told to quit their vice entirely. In that moment he realised that quitting food - or coming as close to it as possible - was the answer. Weeks of research told him that the humble potato, the food that has allowed vast populations to not only survive but to thrive over generations, was the perfect vehicle for his The Spud Fit Challenge was born! Good health is way more simple than we've been led to believe. There is a food that you can eat in abundance and that food provides you with all the nutrition your body needs to thrive for a long time. A good diet should not involve obsessing over every detail about what you put in your mouth - this does nothing to treat the underlying cause of your troubled relationship with food. This is the Spud Fit Challenge in a let simplicity set you free. This guide will provide you with both the mental techniques that have helped Andrew to power through cravings without looking back as well as some ‘Spud Fit approved’ recipes to pique your interest - everything you need to successfully complete your own Spud Fit Challenge.

Genres: Nonfiction, Food, Diets, Nutrition

68 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Lachell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and to the point. I bought the book because I was curious about his journey and process. It really is more of a DIY tutorial. I have read several books on overcoming food addiction and I appreciate his "to the point" style.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was curious how someone could justify eating only one type of food, when we hear so much about "everything in moderation". I have to say that I appreciated that he didn't expect anyone to eat only potatoes forever, but just as a way to cut addition to fats and sugars. I am actually considering trying this out - nd for me, that is a big endorsement.

[Tori Booke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet potato chocolate mousse

An easy read with great references to follow up on. I am interested in trying a recipe but more importantly not thinking about what to eat for dinner. Will review my review after a week on this challenge.

[Romunda Ratliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great info

Enjoyed this book. I loved how simple and to the point it was! I’ll be doing the Spud 🥔 Fit Challenge starting January 1, 2019! Very excited to see and feel some amazing results!

[Steven Ponec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this

These recipes are more appetizing than potato hack recipes imo. Also, if you’re not super sciency, this skips all the studies - you can find those elsewhere, this covers the basics.

[Aaron Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clear and easy to understand

Great read well written. Mostly skimmed through the recipe section but i did not some really tasty dishes. It really is an awesome experience.

[Mid Skate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on using the simple and cheap potato to reduce your weight and improve you're health. Simple advise you are sure to find helpful.

[Du · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title says what it is

Good information, and simple presentation hep make this book a useful tool for those looking to learn about a potato diet.

[Zoe Zuniga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great inspiration

Short and to the point. It is inspiring to see how easy it is to change your relationship with food

[Heathermomo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting challenge, I'm thinking of giving it a go.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will read his actual book but wanted to get the basics down fast. Gonna try this. The recipes at the end are totally rocking.

[Jason Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting idea.

[Brett Chalupa]

I appreciate Andrew’s commitment to simplicity when it comes to improving his health and overcoming his food addiction. All hail the mighty potato. 🥔

[Abu Dhabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing much, but entertaining. Mind that ordinary potatoes are not nutritionally complete even with a B12 supplement; other tubers called "potatoes" have different micronutrient profiles, however.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting idea

I'm intrigued and might seriously give this a shot. The book is relatable, and eating potatoes sounds like something I could actually stick with.

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Website and Facebook group suck. If you don't answer all questions exactly right, you are not allowed in.
Way to be extremely unhelpful!

[Matthew Quinn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Monodiets and diets which are primarily based on a single type of energy substrate can be very interesting. This book was neither of those things.

As per usual, any book which promotes a diet devoid of animal foods quickly becomes a vegan book, and this book is clearly a piece of vegan propaganda supported by talky heads in the vegan space who I think since publishing have actually come unfortunately to their untimely death at an age which is below the median lifespan .

[Deborah Bethuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Taylor has diffidently rising to the Spud Challenge!

He has proven that you can indeed survive on a starch based diet! Not only survive but thrive!! He completely documents the way to overcome your food issues, and to heal your body, mind, and soul in the process. He has challenged me to start my own "Spud Challenge" this coming year! What he has accomplished is spud blowing!! Sign me up!
Respectful!y submitted,
Deborah Bethuel

[Sandi Heilmantx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and to the Point

The incredible, edible potato. Haven't walked the walk yet, but what a concept. No thinking, no choosing, no trouble. I think I like that.

[Lucy Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good health really is more simple than we think!

I have struggled with food addiction (and other addictions) my whole life. This makes sense for someone like me. I'm excited to try it, and I'm starting today! I will report back after the holidays.