Dick Gregory's Natural Diet for Folks Who Eat: Cookin' with Mother Nature

by Dick Gregory, James R. McGraw

First published in 1974 and even more relevant today, a natural and whole foods guide the voice of black consciousness, cultural icon Dick Gregory, the incomparable satirist, human rights and environmental activist, health advocate, social justice champion, and author of the NAACP Image Award–winning Defining Moments in Black Reading Between the Lies and the classic bestseller An Autobiography.Written with Dick Gregory’s irreverent wit and informed by his deep intelligence, Dick Gregory’s Natural Diet for Folks Who Eat is for real people who are concerned about their health and wellness. Gregory offers an enlightening introduction to natural foods, and offers a wickedly amusing and informative assessment of how our modern diet damages the human digestive tract, and raises our consciousness about the political power of food.

Gregory argues that how you treat yourself and your body reflects how you treat others. He discusses various fasts and the ones he’s done for both political and health reasons, hunger in America, navy beans, and how Americans are changing the way they eat—the beginning of a movement in the 1970s that is still felt today. He offers suggestions on diets to help you gain or lose pounds and offers advice on natural substitutes for favorite alcoholic drinks. You are what you eat—with Dick Gregory’s Natural Diet for Folks Who Eat you can laugh your way to better health. 

Genres: Food, Health, Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Nutrition, Vegetarian, Cooking

221 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Richard "Dick" Gregory was an American civil rights activist, social critic, writer, entrepreneur, comedian, motivational speaker, author and actor. He became the first black comedian to successfully cross over to white audiences.

Reviews

[Leo . · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dick Gregory! One of the most enlightened men to grace Mother Earth. Enough said.

[Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw Dick Gregory live in Peoria, Illinois in the fall of 1973. I bought and read an earlier version of this book. The book changed my life. I went on the Dick Gregory diet and in 2 months lost 40 pounds which I kept off for 15 years.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. It's mainly about eating a raw foods diet. I would say that if you are not familiar with the lifestyle, this book could be life changing. The topic at hand may seem boring and some may find the idea of eating only a raw food diet impossible, but Dick Gregory is amazing and you will thoroughly enjoy the way he discusses the topic at hand. It's not a recipe book, though there are recipes included. I would think of it more of as a inspirational, self-help type of book. It's very educational as well. The strange thing is, even though I think I got the book for a decent price online, I seems I got lucky. I've never seen it in stores, but it's pretty rare on the internet for a good price too.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly hilarious! I learned a lot and even though it's old, it still holds true on most every account. He is such a great story teller and educator and I laughed while my brain gained a few creases.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book some years ago and it certainly changed my eating habits. Definitely recommended for those who are interested in alternative diets (and presented in a very humorous way)!

[Renedarwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dick Gregory is a great man. He is also a kook.

[Victoria Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good food book from back in the day. Before it was cool.

[Stella Blue]

A wealth of information on how the body works during the fasting/cleansing period and how to re-establish a nutritional connection with Mama Nature. Dick Gregory has a great sense of humor, and it is infused within the pages. This is one of the pioneer books on how to conduct a safe fast and then incorporate a raw-food diet into your lifestyle. This book is out-of-print and not easy to find. If you see a copy, don't hesitate to grab it.

[Karen Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have finally decided to change my eating habits without "purchasing" another man made product. Thanks Dick for confirming what is "common sense" knowledge concerning the choices we make when it comes to feeding our temples. Great book!

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even finish reading it, it was that bad. I knew I wouldn't agree with all of Gregory's ideas, but was hoping I would find something to enjoy about the book. The book contains dangerous and harmful ideas about food, svereley limited diets, and especially fasting. It goes off the rails very quickly into suggesting that fasting for months at a time is a good idea, or that people can actually live without food altogether. I'm hoping to enjoy learning and reading more about Gregory's legendary civil rights work, but let's leave his harmful ideas about food in the past where they belong.

[Guy Pauley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was written over fifty years ago so it's a tiny bit dated and overall a little bit disjointed. But for 1973 these must have seemed like incredibly radical ideas. Heck some of it seems pretty radical for today! Also a little depressing that the dietary issues Gregory is rightly condemning continue to plague mankind with little evidence of sweeping change anytime soon.

Gregory was obviously an out-of-the-box thinker and I'm looking forward to reading more of his books in the future.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better cop you one of these!

Great read. The honorable Elder Dick Gregory made it plain in this one. Health is wealth. Love yourself and ur 'self' will love u back! Bless up uncle Gregory. Rest in power god

[Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

He explained in one of his YouTube videos, no soy or honey 🍯. Which is in the book 📖. It’s very bad for you.
Overall. Love 💗 it.

[Alvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank goodness this was an entertaining read. Enjoyed the book, but I could do without the advice.

[Kat Gale]

Whatever you do, do NOT, I repeat, do NOT follow his advice regarding your pet's food. Cats are obligate carnivores and absolutely must have a meat-centric diet.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really a one star book due to it's dangerous diet culture nonsense. This thing is filled with such 'wisdom' as taking enemas regularly in lieu of eating and dangerous levels of fasting, even 7 day fasts from everything including water. The advice he spouts was a product of the time period, certainly, but also why we had such horrific diet culture that emerged from the 80s and 90s that we are still struggling to get out of.

All of this said, the man is entertaining. This book is genuinely funny in parts. I gave him an extra star for it.

[Kerry Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t know what to expect from this book… and I definitely didn’t expect to laugh as much as I did from a book about eating healthy… a lot of what Dick Gregory was saying in the 70s about natural foods still holds today… he’s saying things in this book that most people are charging online courses for today…. Only bad thing about this book is now I’m looking at some of my favorite unhealthy foods and hearing Dick Gregory voice in my head… life changing information

[Marci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suspect that I have given this book an extra star for the fact that Dick Gregory spins a good yarn and for being an early book of its type. I don't plan to follow basically any of its advice beyond a vague "eat more fruits and veggies" and I'd serious recommend you check with a doctor before implementing any of his extended fasting ideas, but even so, this book was great fun.

[Dray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't subscribe to being a fruitarian, which is the main focus of this book but... Dick Gregory is a very funny guy and his not taking himself too seriously does help his argument. This book was more enjoyable than i anticipated just for the banter and jokes. The historical era is well depicted as well (60s 70s). This is not really a cookbook, no recipes per se.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and funny view in the mind of vegetarian/ vegan diet pioneer of the '70's. Scientific backing for recommendations to the general population can be lacking at times, and some advice is dated (weekly enema's anyone?)

[Julia G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much more limited compared to WFPB eating than I expected, and lots we know more about now. But hard to believe that 50 years later not much has changed in how folks think about the standard American diet and how it contributes to disease.

[Mari Leneair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for getting started with fast
The juice morning works I have edema and the juice mixture helps the body to get rid of water

[Kam Wms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book for those who wish to eat in a more plant based way.

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant read. Chapter 2 was a nice look into why Mr. Gregory chose the Fruitarian lifestyle.

[Eliz]

Intriguing food theories, new to me.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahead of its time in may ways, but at least half the nutrition advice is pseudoscience at best. And I most certainly will not be taking his advice on enemas, lol.

[Io · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and funny with some great recipes. Personally, I got a lot of out this but I'm not a nutritionist so I can't say whether or not all his claims are accurate.

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informal book and I think everyone should at least take a little something from it

[Fancia Saydee · Rating 5 out of 5]

learned so much

I can’t wait to see and feel the results from practicing some of what is suggested is this book. Great read

[Ladybugcain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!! Why didn’t i read this before! Would highly recommend and I’m definitely reading it again!!