It's Not A Diet

by Davinia Taylor

'A personal, fun and positive book encouraging dietary diversity and NOT calorie counting' Professor Tim Spector, author of The Diet Myth and Spoon-Fed'Empowering' Hello! magazineWhy stress causes weight gainHow fasting makes you less hungryWhy sunflower oil is unhealthyHow cold showers can cut your carb cravings'If I could give you one bit of advice right now, it would be to take all the energy you're putting into fad diets and put it into becoming the most genuinely healthy version of you. If you've got a plan, you're already halfway there. And now you've got this book, you've got one.'Davinia Taylor was overweight, depressed and unmotivated. She couldn't walk around the block, let alone go for a run or do an exercise class, and she struggled to keep up with her four young sons. In desperation she turned to biohacking to sort her head out - the unexpected bonus was that she lost nearly three stone and has kept it off for years through a series of health tricks from cold showers, to MCT oil, to ancestral eating. She spent tens of thousands of pounds on specialists and Harley Street doctors, trying the most cutting-edge therapies available, only to discover that the true secrets of feeling amazing are very easy and affordable. Start with eating for your mental health, and weight loss is an effortless side effect.Divided into four Mood, Food, Movement and Rest, the book takes a holistic approach to weight loss, reminding you that true health is not just about what you eat. It's Not a Diet concludes with a two-week reset programme to put Davinia's advice into action easily and achievably.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2021

Reviews

[Katherine Zangana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought there was lots of interesting information here which was great...but, don’t say on the cover “It’s not a Diet” when there is a pretty strict and intense meal/lifestyle plan at the end.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a big problem with this book. The 2 week reset at the back was the final straw really. There was some interesting stuff that I’m already implementing into my own diet but there’s lots of problematic stuff in here too. Considered grabbing a sharpie and writing “(IT’S MUCH WORSE)” underneath the title.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Davinia and follow her on Instagram, she is funny and really passionate about health and this comes across in her book. Lots of tips and encouragement.
She states 'I made the simple choice to start looking after myself' (something like that) and that really resonated with me.
Though there's lots of supplements, she has a 2 week reset - which I did and it did help me eat more whole unprocessed foods but I didn't carry on with not eating till late and the mct coffees.

[David Gregan-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It takes all the current science around diet, health and wellness - which lets face it, can be so confusing and complicated - and distils it in to something easy to digest and try. This book is packed full of advice and tips, many of which I plan to give a go. If you’re considering a holistic approach to wellness, this is a must read.

[Amanda Christophi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed learning about the importance of everything else other than food! Impact mood has on our energy levels and how to support this, rest and movement! An all round interesting read encouraging healthy mindsets and healthy attitude. Now following on Instagram too!

[Ffion · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some potentially harmful and outdated approaches to health and wellness and a disappointing focus on taking a huge range of supplements etc rather than balancing your diet naturally. The title is misleading as the suggested approaches are very restrictive.

[Sam Preisner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new

A lot of “sciencey” based evidence with nothing new in the application of eating “clean”
Some contradictory advice, but again nothing new. Clearly this approaches worked for Davinia but would it work for everyone?
Paleo diet, hmmmm! How many of our ancestors ate so many supplements. More and more evidence pointing to our ancestors eating a largely plant based diet. Better books to read are anything by Dr Jenna Macciochi.

[Emma-Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book filled with so much brilliant information - I need to re read it with a highlighter now 😁

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Davinia says throughout the book, not all of her suggestions will be for everyone and it is down to the individual to work out which of her hints and tips will work for them.

As someone who has struggled with weight, and therefore also poor health, for a long while, I was interested to see what I could take away from this (having tried many a diet over the years!). What I loved about the book was the non-nonsense approach and the range of different suggestions which were backed up with science.

Will I try all of them? No - my budget and shopping options will not stretch to everything in the book. However, I have cut out UPFs and seed oils and have started taking collagen and already feel better and have lost weight). As with anything, find what works for you.

[Alžběta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. The author clearly states that different things will work for different people and only presents an array of potential tools for improving one's health and well-being. It's up to the reader to choose which tools they implement and to what extent.
I'd never heard of Davinia Taylor before, but I came across this book on a Kindle sale for $3.29 and decided to give it a try. The author's down-to-earth nature and honesty were refreshing, and I loved reading her story and how she turned her life around.
Overall, a fun and very helpful book full of inspiration for improving one's well-being. Thank you, Davinia!

[Kerry Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did take some interesting points out of this book and there was definitely some relatable parts ... however some sections really were not for me as I am naturally quite active and a gym goer and likely aimed at people who don't exercise.

It is also most definitely a diet and I'm never going to be someone to take all those vitamins, buy organic only and drink kale.
I will however keep a mood diary, continue to intermittent fast and understanding what low fat options, sugar and some foods do to me was helpful.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Davinia Taylor's other book so I thought I'd get my hands on this book as well.

She likes to drop an f-bomb or two but her books are still easy to read.

I've given the book three stars because although she makes several great points, her way of eating is very restrictive.

I'd love to read about something relating to weight loss that isn't going to make me feel really hungry, which if I followed her reset I would.

Also keep in mind that you would have to be loaded to buy all the supplements and special foods she recommends.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to get back in control and shift some weight for our next holiday.

The older I get, the harder it is to lose weight and keep it off so there’s got to be something in the impact of hormones. I’m giving fasting a go and It’s working so far. I started with the three day reset and have carried on and have seen a 7lb loss on the scales.

Plenty more to go but I’ll report back when I finish her newest book Hack Your Hormones!

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in nutrition and/or the concept of bio-hacking then this book will interest you. Davinia has a direct and no-nonsense approach to communicating her take on food, exercise and nutrition which is refreshing and whether or not the regime she has created is for everyone, some of the information around hormones and cycles in particular will be interesting and useful for many.

[Gem ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting read about the authors own experiences with addiction and depression and the steps they found helpful backed up by studies/science. It isn't written as a prescription for what will work for everyone, more a guide of things to consider particularly for reducing inflammation and supporting brain & gut health.

[Ana P · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started really interesting with her sharing her journey and approach but the irony of this book is that it finishes with a strict diet even if it says it is not in the back! Some really outdated pieces too, would not recommend anything that has a diet/reset at the back. We are not all the same so if you need an actual plan see a specialist!

[Rebecca Vittelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing.

A very informative read.
I love her passion, and you can see it in this book. She is truly dedicated to helping! a. So far, I’ve tried nearly everything she’s recommended and I’m feeling great.

[Emma Horgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of this book makes sense to me and it’s something I’ve been interested in for a while so that side of things I found informative. But I also find a lot of what she does is very extreme, which I can’t see myself investing in.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars Lots of good information but nothing new

[Amanda Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Very simple and easy to understand and anyone can make these small changes to help live a better and healthy life

[Mr Haggard]

Read this in an afternoon while my phone was charging. Now all I want to do is do post-lunch lunges and down pints of bone broth. Her and Bear Grylls would get on like a house on fire.

[RACHEL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight and very inspirational, but the two week plan (essentially a diet plan) is a bit out there and very intense. Will edit my review once I have followed the plan and see how I get on.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy to read and full of useful info

Easy to read and very useful information and a great straightforward way of sharing it. Well worth the read. Looking forward to the reso

[GemBar13 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of interesting information in this book. I found it to be a really good read and has changed how I will be looking at food.

[Charlotte Beyst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interessant alweer.

[Nicola Barker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed but doubt validity of some of the claims

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting view on biohacking.

[Christine Ryding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it ! Easy to read full of good ideas a no nonsense approach - it all makes sense ! No more low fat processed food for me . I follow Davinia Taylor on Instagram . Great book

[Shelagh Caven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Straight forward, factual and encouraging.

[Sarah Hulse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually listened to this while out walking...loved it. Very real.