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Instant Loss Cookbook: The Recipes and Meal Plans I Used to Lose over 100 Pounds Pressure Cooker, and More
125 fast, easy, and tasty whole food-based recipes for anyone looking to lose weight, from the utterly charming blogger who lost over 125 lbs in a year by making all her meals from scratch, aided by her Instant Pot(R).
Brittany Williams had struggled with her weight all her life. She grew up eating the standard American staples--fast, frozen, fried, and processed--and hit a peak weight of 260 pounds. When her 4-year-old daughter's autoimmune disease was alleviated by a low-sugar, dairy-free, grain-free, whole-food-based diet, Brittany realized she owed her own body the same kind of healing. So on January 1, 2017, she vowed to make every meal for a year from scratch, aided by her Instant Pot(R). She discovered that the versatility, speed, and ease of the electric pressure cooker made creating wholesome, tasty, family-satisfying meals a breeze, usually taking under 30 minutes. Not only did the family thrive over the course of the year, Brittany lost an astonishing 125 pounds.
Illustrated with gorgeous photography, Instant Loss Cookbook shares 125 recipes and the meal plan that Brittany used for her own weight loss, 75% of which are recipes for the Instant Pot(R) or other multicooker. These recipes are whole food-based with a spotlight on veggies, and mostly dairy and grain-free--and she uses ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. Her ingredient lists are refreshingly approachable, and her recipes are the clearest guides to navigating your Instant Pot(R) or other multicooker that you'll find. Here's how to make healthy eating convenient--the key to sustainable weight loss.
Brittany Williams had struggled with her weight all her life. She grew up eating the standard American staples--fast, frozen, fried, and processed--and hit a peak weight of 260 pounds. When her 4-year-old daughter's autoimmune disease was alleviated by a low-sugar, dairy-free, grain-free, whole-food-based diet, Brittany realized she owed her own body the same kind of healing. So on January 1, 2017, she vowed to make every meal for a year from scratch, aided by her Instant Pot(R). She discovered that the versatility, speed, and ease of the electric pressure cooker made creating wholesome, tasty, family-satisfying meals a breeze, usually taking under 30 minutes. Not only did the family thrive over the course of the year, Brittany lost an astonishing 125 pounds.
Illustrated with gorgeous photography, Instant Loss Cookbook shares 125 recipes and the meal plan that Brittany used for her own weight loss, 75% of which are recipes for the Instant Pot(R) or other multicooker. These recipes are whole food-based with a spotlight on veggies, and mostly dairy and grain-free--and she uses ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. Her ingredient lists are refreshingly approachable, and her recipes are the clearest guides to navigating your Instant Pot(R) or other multicooker that you'll find. Here's how to make healthy eating convenient--the key to sustainable weight loss.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2018
2031 people are currently reading
747 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
June 5, 2022
This was quite informative and the meal plan sounds very good.
There are some motivational statements from people that were able to lose weight.
The recipes are easy and simple and the pictures are inspiring.
I have not tried any of the recipes or the meal plan, which is ideal for 4 weeks (as said during my reading updates), but I do plan on following it.
Right now I’m doing on my on and I have lost 5.4 pounds in the last 9 days.
My goal is to lose at least 2 pounds/week, until next December.
There are some motivational statements from people that were able to lose weight.
The recipes are easy and simple and the pictures are inspiring.
I have not tried any of the recipes or the meal plan, which is ideal for 4 weeks (as said during my reading updates), but I do plan on following it.
Right now I’m doing on my on and I have lost 5.4 pounds in the last 9 days.
My goal is to lose at least 2 pounds/week, until next December.
July 19, 2022
I am pretty excited about this book! It starts out with an interesting and easy-to-read section about the author’s journey to better health. It’s a perfect book for anyone who wants to get healthier and lose some weight in the process. Speaking of process, Ms. Williams’ concepts are nothing earth-shattering. She recommends eating whole, natural foods in reasonable quantities. The strength of the book is in her easy recipes and beautiful color photos. She recommends using an air fryer and instant pot to make healthy eating easier for a modern, busy lifestyle.
I’m excited to try these recipes!
I’m excited to try these recipes!
December 29, 2019
Brittany Williams came to her new way of eating through her daughter, who is unable to eat gluten, dairy and I don’t remember what else. At one point, she decided to forgo eating out, and she and her family did so for a year. While initially reluctant to use the Instant Pot, like a lot of cooks, she now can’t live without it (me included). One of the unforeseen benefits for Williams was that, when she ate the same food as her daughter, she shed 125 pounds!
The cookbook has quite a few low carb-ish recipes, but Williams doesn’t bother to include the carb or calorie count, telling readers to do it themselves. Instant Loss Cookbook also veers to recipes with lots of grain-free crusts, almond milk, coconut flour, arrowroot powder (instead of cornstarch), organic raw honey, agave nectar and the like. I simply substitute milk and Stevia, but your mileage may vary. I’m glad I read this, but it’s no Bob Warden's Slow Food Fast nor Eat at Home Tonight: 101 Simple Busy-Family Recipes for Your Slow Cooker, Sheet Pan, Instant Pot®, and More: A Cookbook.
I got the book at a reduced price through BookBub, but I wouldn’t pay retail.
The cookbook has quite a few low carb-ish recipes, but Williams doesn’t bother to include the carb or calorie count, telling readers to do it themselves. Instant Loss Cookbook also veers to recipes with lots of grain-free crusts, almond milk, coconut flour, arrowroot powder (instead of cornstarch), organic raw honey, agave nectar and the like. I simply substitute milk and Stevia, but your mileage may vary. I’m glad I read this, but it’s no Bob Warden's Slow Food Fast nor Eat at Home Tonight: 101 Simple Busy-Family Recipes for Your Slow Cooker, Sheet Pan, Instant Pot®, and More: A Cookbook.
I got the book at a reduced price through BookBub, but I wouldn’t pay retail.
February 24, 2020
It's a real food cookbook. A lot of these recipes I had already, though maybe not quite as easy as here, or cooked via a different method. Her story is inspirational, and the book is littered with stories of people who have succeeded by following her weight loss plan. There is a bit of self promotion here, referring to her website and diet plan, and for a healthy cookbook, there isn't any nutritional information - I understand that you're not really counting calories, but still. . . sodium, carbs, fiber, etc are all important. And this is a low-carb cookbook/diet plan - not that there's anything wrong with that, but I think that makes the nutritional info all the more important.
If you're looking to eat healthier, cook healthier for your family, these are easy and quick ideas. Many of them are appliance specific (instant pot, air fryer, etc) but there are a lot of sheet pan recipes in here too.
If you're looking to eat healthier, cook healthier for your family, these are easy and quick ideas. Many of them are appliance specific (instant pot, air fryer, etc) but there are a lot of sheet pan recipes in here too.
January 10, 2020
I love Brittany Williams, Her story is amazing and I love how supportive her entire family has been. I follow her on instagram! Def reading the second book, out now!
March 24, 2019
This is a terrific cookbook! I read it from cover to cover. She has her whole weight loss story in it, meal plans, staples/tools needed, and a description of each recipe. The author lost over 100 pounds with her instant pot and healthy recipes (some just in the oven, stove or blender). All the recipes are gluten and dairy free and made with Whole Foods. We are not gluten or dairy free in our house so I may substitute regular flour and dairy for those ingredients. But it’s easy to change it up. The recipes I’ve tried are really great. Highly recommend it. There’s not a whole lot of health-friendly instant pot recipe cookbooks out there yet.
April 13, 2020
I've made at least 15 recipes from this book, and like it so much I bought my own copy. I found it also adaptable, for example I baked the meatloaf instead of cooking it in the instant pot. This book is a keeper for me.
September 3, 2020
Healthy recipes for a healthy life. Only downside is that most of the recipes are made to be cooked using an Instapot or similar pressure cooker. You'll have to adapt the recipes to not use the Instapot if you don't want to buy one (like me). Some recipes are easy to adapt, such as replacing canned beans for dry. Others not so much.
January 14, 2020
This book is filled with good recipes that are full of real ingredients and aren't intimidating. I am excited to make all of them.
I docked a star because many of the recipes call for a high-powered blender that also heats/cooks. She recommends a Vitamix ($300-plus purchase). I didn't realize how many recipes called for it until I read the whole book. She does offer alternative methods, but the Vitamix is the preference. I have the other kitchen tools, but not this one. We'll see if I get crazy and save up for one, if the non-preferred methods turn out to be too much.
I docked a star because many of the recipes call for a high-powered blender that also heats/cooks. She recommends a Vitamix ($300-plus purchase). I didn't realize how many recipes called for it until I read the whole book. She does offer alternative methods, but the Vitamix is the preference. I have the other kitchen tools, but not this one. We'll see if I get crazy and save up for one, if the non-preferred methods turn out to be too much.
December 17, 2019
Another valuable cookbook that aligns with many of the diet changes I'm focusing on right now. I was really excited about all the breakfast, snacks, and basics. The dinner meals did not really appeal to me - they seemed too plain and bland. But I'll get a lot of use out of all the other chapters!
August 13, 2019
Too many meat recipes. Info section at the beginning was useful. Some veg recipes looked yummy.
January 26, 2020
Highly approachable. Can't wait to try the recipes. Also a pleasure to read the cookbook.
February 2, 2021
“Instant Loss on a Budget isn’t about eating the cheapest foods out there, It’s about learning how to make an investment in your overall health and well-being that will yield a great return in the long run.” That’s the theme of Brittany Williams’ well-planned third cookbook. She shares how changing her diet started her amazing weight loss journey but this is not another diet book. It’s a guide to healthy eating for an entire family, with tasty, nutritious meals that appeal to children (Brittany and her husband have three) and are suitable for those on gluten and dairy free diets.
After sharing her favorite easy, quick meals and snacks, Brittany provides four weeks of three meal a day menus. This isn’t a unique idea but each week has its own shopping list. How easy is that? The recipes follow. The food is gorgeously photographed and the instructions easy to follow. In addition to the expected categories, there are recipes for healthy cocktail party appetizers. After the final dessert recipes, Brittany has added the method to make many of her basic kitchen staples. The meal plans in Instant Loss on a Budget are designed to save money, something that will appeal to all families.
Many of these recipes are made with an Instant Pot, an appliance that Brittany, a young mother who homeschools, uses to save time. Just as she writes that a NutriBullet can substitute perfectly for a Vitamix, I’m sure a Dutch oven can be used. However, InstantPots can be found for under $100 on Amazon and Walmart. This cookbook is a must buy for anyone who wants to make their diet healthier and especially those who avoid gluten, dairy and sugar. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Brittany Williams for this ARC.
After sharing her favorite easy, quick meals and snacks, Brittany provides four weeks of three meal a day menus. This isn’t a unique idea but each week has its own shopping list. How easy is that? The recipes follow. The food is gorgeously photographed and the instructions easy to follow. In addition to the expected categories, there are recipes for healthy cocktail party appetizers. After the final dessert recipes, Brittany has added the method to make many of her basic kitchen staples. The meal plans in Instant Loss on a Budget are designed to save money, something that will appeal to all families.
Many of these recipes are made with an Instant Pot, an appliance that Brittany, a young mother who homeschools, uses to save time. Just as she writes that a NutriBullet can substitute perfectly for a Vitamix, I’m sure a Dutch oven can be used. However, InstantPots can be found for under $100 on Amazon and Walmart. This cookbook is a must buy for anyone who wants to make their diet healthier and especially those who avoid gluten, dairy and sugar. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Brittany Williams for this ARC.
March 30, 2021
Smoothies don’t count as a meal
That is a hill I will die on. If you’re calling it a cookbook do not list some frozen stuff thrown in a blender as a meal. That’s not a recipe that’s cheating. (She says after spending hours making croissants from scratch).
Other than that it was fine. Many of these instant pot recipes seem way more complicated than just getting out a pan and cooking in two pots and pans instead of an instant pot. I’m interested to try some of the recipes that have frozen stuff in them. And I hear good things about mashed potatoes cooked in the instant pot. But bacon. Really you want me to spend an hour cooking bacon in the bottom of that pot when I can just put it in a cast iron skillet or even cover a pan and bake it in the oven? How is that easier?
That Was my take with many of these recipes. They seemed overly complicated so that they could rely on the instant pot exclusively. And many were just crock pot recipes that didn’t need another speciality appliance.
That is a hill I will die on. If you’re calling it a cookbook do not list some frozen stuff thrown in a blender as a meal. That’s not a recipe that’s cheating. (She says after spending hours making croissants from scratch).
Other than that it was fine. Many of these instant pot recipes seem way more complicated than just getting out a pan and cooking in two pots and pans instead of an instant pot. I’m interested to try some of the recipes that have frozen stuff in them. And I hear good things about mashed potatoes cooked in the instant pot. But bacon. Really you want me to spend an hour cooking bacon in the bottom of that pot when I can just put it in a cast iron skillet or even cover a pan and bake it in the oven? How is that easier?
That Was my take with many of these recipes. They seemed overly complicated so that they could rely on the instant pot exclusively. And many were just crock pot recipes that didn’t need another speciality appliance.
August 27, 2024
I was looking for some recipes that were neggie-forward and didn't have a lot of weird diet foods like low fat cheese, and there are definitely some of those in here! I already made the egg bits and they were pretty tasty and got some spinach into my breakfast, and I'm going to try the butternut squash chili later this week.
That said, her family has some food issues that made the book less applicable for some people. Most notably, it is gluten-free, so I'm skipping all the baked goods. There's a couple other little oddities like cooking with coconut aminos(?) and avoiding fortified foods. I also found the front matter to be pretty conventional and diet-ish even though she pays list service to being against diets.
That said, her family has some food issues that made the book less applicable for some people. Most notably, it is gluten-free, so I'm skipping all the baked goods. There's a couple other little oddities like cooking with coconut aminos(?) and avoiding fortified foods. I also found the front matter to be pretty conventional and diet-ish even though she pays list service to being against diets.
July 11, 2019
This is a wonderful cookbook that has given my household many new favorites! I especially love all the photos.
The recipes are pretty easy with the most prep required in chopping up the veggies. Overall the recipes require an instant pot, however some can be made in the oven. We do not have many dietary restrictions and may sometimes sub some of the more unique items for similar alternatives that are already in my pantry- still tastes great!
Brittany has hit the ball out of the park on this one and I cannot wait for her next book!
The recipes are pretty easy with the most prep required in chopping up the veggies. Overall the recipes require an instant pot, however some can be made in the oven. We do not have many dietary restrictions and may sometimes sub some of the more unique items for similar alternatives that are already in my pantry- still tastes great!
Brittany has hit the ball out of the park on this one and I cannot wait for her next book!
August 31, 2021
I love her recipes! They're all simple to follow without a massive list of ingredients either. They really are nutritious and delicious. My favorite recipes came at the end of the book in a section called The Basics. So few cookbook authors even think to include them, probably because these items are so readily available on the shelf. Making it yourself at home, though, you control the amount of salt, fat, and calories that go into them. I love having homemade soup stock and pinto and black beans around to throw into any dish requiring them.
November 5, 2025
This was super disappointing. I really wanted to like it, but when she says "real food" she means "with lots of very esoteric substitutions."
If you're someone who has regular access to phyllum husks and hemp hearts, this is the book for you. If you were looking for real food without having to do a bunch of gymnastics to sub for all the gluten, dairy, and everything else Brittany's family can't eat, skip it.
Maybe I'll take a look at her first book to see if it's more normal.
If you're someone who has regular access to phyllum husks and hemp hearts, this is the book for you. If you were looking for real food without having to do a bunch of gymnastics to sub for all the gluten, dairy, and everything else Brittany's family can't eat, skip it.
Maybe I'll take a look at her first book to see if it's more normal.
April 19, 2019
This is my first Instantpot cookbook. My family has loved every recipe I've made from it so far. The tomato basil soup is fantastic and I am usually not a big fan of soup. Lots of healthier alternative meals, like Shepard's pie with cauliflower mashed "potatoes" on top. Dairy and gluten free recipes that are absolutely delicious.
January 25, 2020
These recipes are easily adaptable to the "I don't care to make my own ketchup" cook. Brittany has a story behind where she is now, and is brave enough to open up and share it. I love my instant pot, and this book has inspired me with some new recipes. Great read for those of us who eat very clean.
March 22, 2020
Inspiring
I'll check for the Instant Loss cookbook to see those recipes!The recipes in this book seem easy, healthy and doable. I liked her story and her advice to 'Eat Real'. I didn’t ultimately flag any recipes from this book. It might be just the thing though for someone needing a push towards better ingredients.
I'll check for the Instant Loss cookbook to see those recipes!The recipes in this book seem easy, healthy and doable. I liked her story and her advice to 'Eat Real'. I didn’t ultimately flag any recipes from this book. It might be just the thing though for someone needing a push towards better ingredients.
November 17, 2020
I was already hooked on Brittany's recipes, personality and joy from Instagram and her blog. When I purchased this cookbook I was so impressed with her story, the ease of understanding and implementing the recipes and the number of quality photos for many of the recipes. I love this cookbook and will always recommend it to everyone I know!
November 19, 2022
If you're struggling with losing weight and can't quite find the reason why, try this book. I read this book for my niece, who's suspected that she has allergies or other issues that interfere with not only her losing weight but also with eating well.
This cookbook has started my niece and her family on the road to better health and better enjoyment of food again.
This cookbook has started my niece and her family on the road to better health and better enjoyment of food again.
February 2, 2020
Great cookbook that is really about eating healthy, non-processed foods. the author really likes quick recipes, with small amounts of ingredients that can be thrown into an instant pot (yeah, my favourite way of cooking) or air fryer. I have a few new recipes to try!
July 1, 2020
I love the simplicity and the flavor Brittany creates with her recipes. Her book is SO APPROACHABLE and a great resource for beginners and veterans alike. Both of her books have quickly taken over as my go-tos for my weekly meal planning!
September 10, 2020
Instant Loss on a Budget: Super-Affordable Recipes for the Health-Conscious Cook by Brittany Williams
This is a great cookbook.
It has recipes for everything - breakfast, appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, restaurant favorite options, meatless, desserts and basics. The book starts with tips and techniques for beginners and also provides substitute options in some recipes
Only thing i felt missing was nutritional info of the recipes as it would have been very helpful if this is being considered by diet conscious person
I recommend this book for people who want healthy food within a reasonable budget. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC
This is a great cookbook.
It has recipes for everything - breakfast, appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, restaurant favorite options, meatless, desserts and basics. The book starts with tips and techniques for beginners and also provides substitute options in some recipes
Only thing i felt missing was nutritional info of the recipes as it would have been very helpful if this is being considered by diet conscious person
I recommend this book for people who want healthy food within a reasonable budget. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC
August 21, 2021
Very Good Recipes
The book is loaded with good recipes and plain talk about making better food choices. I rarely find a cookbook with so many recipes that I want to try. The salad dressings look delicious.
The book is loaded with good recipes and plain talk about making better food choices. I rarely find a cookbook with so many recipes that I want to try. The salad dressings look delicious.
January 22, 2025
I was told this book would convince me to get an Instant Pot, but I remain unswayed... Few dishes for me to cook on a regular basis. I liked a lot of the sauces and my immersion blender will be busier for it. I will be trying coconut aminos in place of soy sauce
March 18, 2025
I’ve made a couple of instant loss recipes (to be fair, I’m not exactly sure if they were in this one or not), and they were really good. I like how simple but tasty the recipes are. She’s got a nice, clear writing style and the photos are helpful. I can see why she’s popular. Want to try more!
August 6, 2019
This is not just a cookbook. It's about the author's experiences completely changing her eating habits and losing 125 lbs. A very inspirational read for anyone who wants to lose weight, just eat healthier foods, or both.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews