The Dietitian's Dilemma: What would you do if your health was restored by doing the opposite of everything you were taught?

by Michelle Hurn, Health Coach Kait (Illustrator), Nevada Gray (Foreword)

After years on a high carbohydrate diet, intense running sessions, struggling with an eating disorder, and feeling the throes of anxiety & depression, Michelle knew she needed to make a change. Does the “One size fits all” food pyramid work for everyone? Are there other options, such as a low carbohydrate or ketogenic diet that may mitigate our risk for metabolic illness and restore us to health? Could this way of eating reverse diabetes, alleviate depression, pave the way to heal eating disorders, allow us to age gracefully, and prevent heart disease? Why as a nation is our health failing, and why aren’t the nutrition guidelines updating with the science? Registered Dietitian, Michelle Hurn, dives in and offers easy to read information while covering the latest research and clinical studies. In addition, personal testimonies and actionable next steps offer hope and inspiration for you on your health journey.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Nutrition, Food

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2021

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book 3.5 stars. The information presented is not new and it seems more geared towards total newbies or people currently eating a SAD on a ton of medication (maybe I just wasn’t the intended audience). For more “in depth” books I still prefer “The Big Fat Surprise,” “Sacred Cow,” and “The Diabetes Code”.

I was a bit annoyed that everyone in the testimonials ate exclusively carnivore and would have preferred to see stories of people who ate a more keto/low-carb paleo diet but I know that was the author’s point. It would have been nice to see a story of someone who wasn’t “sick” and how they felt going to keto (as I feel I could relate better). But everyone loves a good “before/after” and that wouldn’t “sell” as well.

I was hoping to hear more about Michelle’s experience regarding her diet and ultrarunning as I think that is something new and unique that she brings to the table, but it was barely a few pages at the end.

Also, I’m not sure if this book had an editor or not, but they should be fired. I found over a dozen blatant grammatical errors (misspellings, duplicate or repeated words, etc...). When I see so many errors, I become skeptical of the author’s credentials and annoyed that seemingly “anyone” can write a book these days.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turns everything you thought you knew about food on its head. Trying this for sure.

[Sarah Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the message in this book and have great admiration and respect for the author and her ideas and experiences. The only complaint I would have is that it was very poorly edited. I found frequent grammatical and typographical errors that were distracting and often caused me to have to reread sentences. This is particularly the case because I was reading it out loud to my husband (this is a strategy we use when reading health books so we can learn together). I found myself having to stop frequently to correct a sentence making the reading process a bit less smooth. I hope newer editions (if there are any) will be better edited!

[Jason Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any beef I have with this book is completely superficial.

As other reviews have stated, the editing could have been cleaner. There are about a handful of missing words but it does not affect the message of the book.

I knew she meant Whole Milk not While Milk.

See completely superficial.

I agree 100% with the message in this book. Eat meat. Shun vegetables.

When I eat a high fat/protein diet, I do quite well. I have energy and am usually in a good mood. When it’s carbs, I’m cranky as fuck and miserable to be around.

Do what works for you and give no fucks about what others think.

Official rating: 4.75 ⭐️

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been eating low carb for several months and have lost quite a bit of weight, among other benefits. I saw this book on the shelf at my public library branch and decided to have a look. What grabbed me was that I grew up with the 1977 "food pyramid" and was a young adult throughout the craze for low fat/high sugar and carb 1990's, so this way of eating is antithetical to what I was always taught, as well. Doctors and dietitians have mostly not shaken those off. The chapter about the history how we got to this place where so many Americans are fat and unhealthy, even though many have followed their doctors' and government's advice, was really eye-opening.

I skimmed through the testimonials and a lot of the other anecdotal evidence. There's a lot of hard data here (including citations at the back of the book), but you have to wade through a lot of other stuff to get there.

I like that the chapters are organized based on pathology (diabetes, mental illness, heart disease, etc.), so you can go straight there and read about how a low carb/meat-based diet might benefit yourself or a patient with that condition. The three-tiered "carnivore diet" section at the end deserves to be a lot longer, with meal plans, recipes, etc. in order to be more useful. I'd like a trade-off with fewer testimonials and more practical advice.

An editor (or a better editor) would have also benefited this book; there are many errors in it. The edition appears to be self-published.

[Lynnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Registered dietitian Michelle Hurn voices her frustration with how the health system is failing patients and shares how she regained her health following an unconventional diet. Hurn also shares the testimonials of others in their recovery to health, which is interesting. Nine chapters cover diabetes, mental illness, eating disorders, sarcopenia, heart disease, history of nutrition guidelines, plants versus animals, getting started, and her nutrition as an ultra-runner.

The highlight for me was reading the personal stories. Otherwise, I did not find much new information in the book. I wouldn’t recommend it as a self-help, wellness, or diet book. I was disappointed that there wasn’t more detail about her running career and how that has shaped her as a dietitian. This could have been a more focused way to talk about elimination diets, restoration of health, and exercise. I would not recommend this book for a person exploring the ketogenic or carnivore diet; better primer books are available.

[Charles Gerard Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a story !

Finally a dietician writes a book about low carb and carnivore lifestyle . This book so so good with so much insider info.
I had a similar experience as an athlete who tried vegan- high carb - you name it and by luck ( all the fruits and veggies in the house were eaten and I was recovering (fresh from the MGH hospital) from a dangerous arrhythmia and first time in my life full blown anxiety ! I couldn’t shop couldn’t leave the house so I ate everything left in the fridge before eventually going online to order a delivery. Sooo I ate 4 days of bacon and eggs - steak after steak - canned sardines … and wait a minute -felt unbelievably satisfied and energized and calm ! So I started reading all things carnivore and discovering a whole new world -which you’ll discover here as well in this book - or like me today - you’ll pick up valuable ideas and your new meat and fat approach will be affirmed. We need to stick together and grow this approach during these times of vilifying meats, fats and proclamations of plant based superiority.
Good luck !!

[Karen Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, mind-bending and essential reading

Everyone should read this book! What we’ve always been told about what to eat for optimal health is almost completely wrong. This book may blow your mind, but it may well also save you from an early death or early onset of severe health issues. It could even help you reverse severe health issues if you already have them. It may not be an easy journey, but if you value your health over your cravings, or want to enjoy your life for longer, it’s totally worth it. I’ve lost 21lbs on the keto diet in 10 weeks and feel better than I have in years. I’ve also started eating meat again after reading this book, though always organic and responsibly raised. I now want to lend this book to everyone I know who I think might be open to its messages. You may feel the same after you finish it.

[Emily Mellow · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pretty poorly written and edited, obviously self-published, but I still give it three stars for the quality of information, and the importance of getting it out there. I especially liked the plethora of personal stories interspersed throughout.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

It’s all true. I’ve been carnivore for two weeks now and am shocked at my health improvements. Thank you for writing this book.

[Janan Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!!

Very well written and great personal testimonies at the end of each chapter to bring home the science! Loved it.

[Troy Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pro-Keto story.

[Andrew Olding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book.

I hope later editions are edited better for typos.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first-hand account of dietitian Michelle Hurn's health transformation using a low-carb, high-meat, high-fat diet. Good information for anyone who wants to give it a try.

[Plarmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating info and expose of nutrition lies that have been sold to us 😡. even if you disagree w a meat diet this information is needed to be spread far and wide

[Laurel Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

And eye opener

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been on a keto/carnivore diet for about 1-1/2 years now and I've looked for some resources to support my journey. Michelle Hurn's book is a great source of encouragement and information.

[Leslie Oakes Rubbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hurn's courage to question and explore new paths within the complexities of nutrition and mental health was transformative for me. This is a thought-provoking book. Her journey from skepticism to vibrant health by defying traditional norms is eye-opening.

[Julie King · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dietitian’s Dilemma might just be my new all-time favorite book. In the span of about 200 pages, Michelle Hurn delivers equal parts memoir, inspiration, history, scientific analysis, and guidebook toward a future of much more robust health – for us as individuals and collectively as a culture. She offers an honest critique of current dietary recommendations, an objective explanation for how they became the standard, and guidelines for more nourishing alternatives. To do this without a hint of dogma is quite an achievement. I can’t recommend The Dietitian’s Dilemma highly enough. May its message travel far and wide, particularly where children and patients depend on others for their nourishment.

[John L. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.