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The Slow Down Diet: Eating for Pleasure, Energy, and Weight Loss
A revolutionary approach to enhancing metabolism that enables lasting weight loss and facilitates spiritual well-being
• Presents an eight-week weight-loss program
• Explains how relaxed eating stimulates metabolic function and how stress hormones encourage weight gain
• Shows how fully enjoying each meal is the optimal way to a healthy body
Our modern culture revolves around fitting as much as possible into the least amount of time. As a result, most people propel themselves through life at a dizzying pace that is contrary to a healthy lifestyle. We eat fast, on the run, and often under stress, not only removing most of the pleasure we might derive from our food and creating digestive upset, but also wreaking havoc on our metabolism. Many of us come to the end of a day feeling undernourished, uninspired, and overweight. In The Slow Down Diet Marc David presents a new way to understand our relationship to food, focusing on quality and the possibilities of pleasure in eating to transform and improve metabolism. Citing cutting-edge research on body biochemistry as well as success stories from his own nutritional counseling practice, he shows that we are creatures of body, mind, and spirit and that when we attend to these levels simultaneously we can shed excess pounds, increase energy, and enhance digestion to feel rejuvenated and inspired. Marc David presents an eight-week program that allows readers to explore their unique connection to food, assisting them in letting go of their fears, guilt, and old habits so they can learn to treat their bodies in a dignified and caring way. He reveals the shortcomings of all quick-fix digestive aids and fad diets and debunks common nutrition myths, such as "the right way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more." He shows instead how to decrease cortisol and other stress-hormones and boost metabolic power through proper breathing and nutritional strategies that nourish both the body and soul, proving that fully enjoying each meal is the optimal way to a healthy body. Drawing on more than twenty years of experience in nutritional medicine, the psychology of eating, and the science of yoga, Marc David offers readers practical tools that will yield life-transforming, sustainable results.
• Presents an eight-week weight-loss program
• Explains how relaxed eating stimulates metabolic function and how stress hormones encourage weight gain
• Shows how fully enjoying each meal is the optimal way to a healthy body
Our modern culture revolves around fitting as much as possible into the least amount of time. As a result, most people propel themselves through life at a dizzying pace that is contrary to a healthy lifestyle. We eat fast, on the run, and often under stress, not only removing most of the pleasure we might derive from our food and creating digestive upset, but also wreaking havoc on our metabolism. Many of us come to the end of a day feeling undernourished, uninspired, and overweight. In The Slow Down Diet Marc David presents a new way to understand our relationship to food, focusing on quality and the possibilities of pleasure in eating to transform and improve metabolism. Citing cutting-edge research on body biochemistry as well as success stories from his own nutritional counseling practice, he shows that we are creatures of body, mind, and spirit and that when we attend to these levels simultaneously we can shed excess pounds, increase energy, and enhance digestion to feel rejuvenated and inspired. Marc David presents an eight-week program that allows readers to explore their unique connection to food, assisting them in letting go of their fears, guilt, and old habits so they can learn to treat their bodies in a dignified and caring way. He reveals the shortcomings of all quick-fix digestive aids and fad diets and debunks common nutrition myths, such as "the right way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more." He shows instead how to decrease cortisol and other stress-hormones and boost metabolic power through proper breathing and nutritional strategies that nourish both the body and soul, proving that fully enjoying each meal is the optimal way to a healthy body. Drawing on more than twenty years of experience in nutritional medicine, the psychology of eating, and the science of yoga, Marc David offers readers practical tools that will yield life-transforming, sustainable results.
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
207 people are currently reading
891 people want to read
About the author
Marc David
25 books27 followersMarc David is the Founder and Director of The Institute for the Psychology of Eating and the author of The Slow Down Diet: Eating for Pleasure, Energy, and Weight Loss, and Nourishing Wisdom: A Mind-Body Approach to Nutrition and Well Being. A nationally recognized teacher, speaker and corporate consultant, Marc presents his expertise in nutritional medicine, the psychology of eating, and the science of yoga in a fresh and innovative way. His humorous, engaging, and informative speaking style have made him a popular and well loved presenter and his non-dogmatic approach to nutrition appeals to a wide audience of eaters who are looking for positive, inspiring, and innovative messages about food and metabolism.
Marc earned his M.A. at Sonoma State University specializing in the Psychology of Eating and trained at the Harvard Mind Body Medical Institute and SUNY Upstate Medical School. He was a long time nutritionist and presenter with Canyon Ranch Resorts, the # 1 health spa in the world, and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Marc has presented in numerous professional settings including Harvard, The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and has been featured on CNN and NBC. He also serves on the editorial staff of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, the most respected peer reviewed journal for complimentary and alternative medicine.
Marc was a senior consultant to the Johnson & Johnson Corporation in natural health ventures and consulted to the Disney Company in health related program and product development. Articles, interviews and special mention of his work have appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times, Chicago Times, New York Daily News, McCalls, Glamour, Eating Well, Utne Reader, The Sun, Yoga Journal, Bon Appetit, and Grace Woman. Marc resides in Boulder, Colorado.
Marc earned his M.A. at Sonoma State University specializing in the Psychology of Eating and trained at the Harvard Mind Body Medical Institute and SUNY Upstate Medical School. He was a long time nutritionist and presenter with Canyon Ranch Resorts, the # 1 health spa in the world, and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Marc has presented in numerous professional settings including Harvard, The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and has been featured on CNN and NBC. He also serves on the editorial staff of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, the most respected peer reviewed journal for complimentary and alternative medicine.
Marc was a senior consultant to the Johnson & Johnson Corporation in natural health ventures and consulted to the Disney Company in health related program and product development. Articles, interviews and special mention of his work have appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times, Chicago Times, New York Daily News, McCalls, Glamour, Eating Well, Utne Reader, The Sun, Yoga Journal, Bon Appetit, and Grace Woman. Marc resides in Boulder, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 22, 2015
This is one of the most unusual books about managing our eating habits I've come across. The author doesn't separate body and soul but shows how they are two sides of the same coin. And he does it in a beautifully written and lyrical way. Far from being another dry health book, this often reads like a poem. Many diet books try to convince us to make the effort of rationing carbs and proteins, etc. I'm tired of having to wrap my mind around something like a mini science/nutrition course to get healthier!Thankfully, Marc David doesn't do that. He separates his dietary advice into eight interesting aspects, one for each week of his two month course, which I'll do my best to summarise below.
1) Relaxation.
This is the importance of eating slowly, with your full attention, while you're relaxed and happy.
2) Quality.
Instead of stressing about which of the myriad diets we should try, simply elevating the quality of our food may be the way to go. David explains how the food we ingest actually speaks to the cells of our bodies. I like his advice that instead of going flat out fanatical about it, we should aim for an 80% quality food target each day. It's counter-productive when the stress of searching for the best quality food neutralises its good effects.
3) Awareness.
We should focus on the pleasure we take from the flavours and aromas of our food and drinks, rather than wolfing it down on auto-pilot. He convincingly argues something I've often heard dieters say as a joke. Would you believe our thoughts actually can be fattening? It seems that using self-denial while fantasising about forbidden foods may not be all its cracked up to be. We might as well eat the treats with mindful gratitude.
4) Rhythm
In this section, he looks at the human body temperature at different phases of the sun, when it comes to timing our meals. In particular, he explains why eating smallish portions during the day, followed by a large main meal at night when we're hungry, can create problems.
5) Pleasure.
Science has shown that when the pleasure factor is taken away, the nutritional value of a meal plummets. So this is a good chapter for those of us who deny our taste buds by eating spartan, non-tasty food.
6) Thoughts.
Each eater metabolises an identical meal quite differently from others at the table, according to our unique thoughts. It's handy to know that digestion is limited by toxic thoughts of any kind. We should stop labeling different foods 'good' or 'bad' for a start. David talks about our 'inner pharmacies' secreting chemicals to our bodies based on positive and negative thoughts. Even junk food eaten with a happy mind set may give us more benefit than superfoods with a negative mind set.
7) Story.
The stories we tell ourselves are like powerful drugs that ignite our metabolism and create our biochemistry, so we should tell ourselves good ones. He makes some fascinating quotes, such as, 'Our DNA is the biochemical equivalent of a story.'
8) The Sacred.
In this chapter, he sets out to show that what people sometimes call miraculous phenomenon may actually be latent biological traits which are activated when we're touched by the divine. The eight sacred metabolisers he mentions sound similar to the fruits of the spirit mentioned in the Bible. As we create our body chemistry instantly, we might as well be sure it's what we want. Just as God said, 'Let there be light,' we often don't stop to consider that we may be saying, 'Let there be anger,' or 'Let there be fear,' or 'Let there be discord.' According to Marc David, even partial negativity may undernourish the soul and rob the body of nutrition.
He winds up with an eloquent plea for us to allow the language of the soul and sacred things back into science and medicine. Although I haven't put this book to the test yet as a weight loss program, it rings true and convinces me not to focus on superficial aspects such as calories and personal appearance anyway. I'm sure I'll use it as a reference often. I hope you'll take my brief sentences or paragraphs above as an invitation to read something far more profound and original. And if I do lose a bit of weight by embracing all this, I'll be recommending it all the more.
Thanks to the publisher, Inner Traditions, for providing me with a review copy.
1) Relaxation.
This is the importance of eating slowly, with your full attention, while you're relaxed and happy.
2) Quality.
Instead of stressing about which of the myriad diets we should try, simply elevating the quality of our food may be the way to go. David explains how the food we ingest actually speaks to the cells of our bodies. I like his advice that instead of going flat out fanatical about it, we should aim for an 80% quality food target each day. It's counter-productive when the stress of searching for the best quality food neutralises its good effects.
3) Awareness.
We should focus on the pleasure we take from the flavours and aromas of our food and drinks, rather than wolfing it down on auto-pilot. He convincingly argues something I've often heard dieters say as a joke. Would you believe our thoughts actually can be fattening? It seems that using self-denial while fantasising about forbidden foods may not be all its cracked up to be. We might as well eat the treats with mindful gratitude.
4) Rhythm
In this section, he looks at the human body temperature at different phases of the sun, when it comes to timing our meals. In particular, he explains why eating smallish portions during the day, followed by a large main meal at night when we're hungry, can create problems.
5) Pleasure.
Science has shown that when the pleasure factor is taken away, the nutritional value of a meal plummets. So this is a good chapter for those of us who deny our taste buds by eating spartan, non-tasty food.
6) Thoughts.
Each eater metabolises an identical meal quite differently from others at the table, according to our unique thoughts. It's handy to know that digestion is limited by toxic thoughts of any kind. We should stop labeling different foods 'good' or 'bad' for a start. David talks about our 'inner pharmacies' secreting chemicals to our bodies based on positive and negative thoughts. Even junk food eaten with a happy mind set may give us more benefit than superfoods with a negative mind set.
7) Story.
The stories we tell ourselves are like powerful drugs that ignite our metabolism and create our biochemistry, so we should tell ourselves good ones. He makes some fascinating quotes, such as, 'Our DNA is the biochemical equivalent of a story.'
8) The Sacred.
In this chapter, he sets out to show that what people sometimes call miraculous phenomenon may actually be latent biological traits which are activated when we're touched by the divine. The eight sacred metabolisers he mentions sound similar to the fruits of the spirit mentioned in the Bible. As we create our body chemistry instantly, we might as well be sure it's what we want. Just as God said, 'Let there be light,' we often don't stop to consider that we may be saying, 'Let there be anger,' or 'Let there be fear,' or 'Let there be discord.' According to Marc David, even partial negativity may undernourish the soul and rob the body of nutrition.
He winds up with an eloquent plea for us to allow the language of the soul and sacred things back into science and medicine. Although I haven't put this book to the test yet as a weight loss program, it rings true and convinces me not to focus on superficial aspects such as calories and personal appearance anyway. I'm sure I'll use it as a reference often. I hope you'll take my brief sentences or paragraphs above as an invitation to read something far more profound and original. And if I do lose a bit of weight by embracing all this, I'll be recommending it all the more.
Thanks to the publisher, Inner Traditions, for providing me with a review copy.
October 25, 2012
Although the title calls it a diet, this isn't a diet book-- and people who are in the "just tell me the rules of what to eat!" camp won't be happy. It's a lifestyle exploration, and therefore the target audience is everyone. If you eat, you have something to gain from this book.
I came into this book wanting to know more about how to have a better eating experience. So much of my life is rushed, scheduled and squeezed in; I wanted to see what tools I could employ to take control of my mealtimes and find joy (vs. a subtle sense of 'just get it over with' burden) in my eating.
This isn't revolutionary topic or message, but maybe it was the right time for me to hear it that made this book so inspirational. I think that Marc also does a really nice job of moving beyond simply the facts of 'eat slowly, listen to your stomach', but also broadens it to a bit more holistic in terms of breath, mindset, calm, etc. It is a bit groovy, so it might not appeal to everyone-- but I found it so very thought-provoking- especially the concept that eating at my workdesk/eating in a rushed emotional state can set off so many internal triggers that drive poor digestion and a less optimal overall experience. I've been a consistent 'work through lunch' person, and this book made me take a look at this habit which I thought was innocuous ("I'm eating healthy, so who cares what state I'm in when I eat?") was actually quite a detriment to my health and wellbeing.
He refers to scientific studies throughout the book, however I didn't find that to be so critical as was the intuitive logic to his suggestions. The real win was when I practiced them and immediately felt the changes in my stress level, how my body was reacting to food (no more heartburn, upset stomach, etc), and how I felt after the whole mealtime (refreshed, calmed and energized vs. feeling like I've simply checked off yet another task on my long list of things to do).
As a result of this, we've employed actual sit-down breakfasts together as a family (best thing ever!), I make a real effort to get away from my desk and sit down to lunch in a deliberate and focused manner (feels so much better!) and that we have dinner together at the table together each night (what a nice way to wrap up the day and talk). I've actually found I'm losing some weight even though I'm not making any attempts at following any specific nutrition guidance and instead am just eating what my body tells me it wants. The best gain from this book however, is that I've refound my deep-down love for taste, food and eating, and even found that some things I was eating aren't actually tasty to me (bananas, things with HF corn syrup) and other things that I think I didn't like are now much more interesting to my palate (dark chocolate, cafe latte).
I came into this book wanting to know more about how to have a better eating experience. So much of my life is rushed, scheduled and squeezed in; I wanted to see what tools I could employ to take control of my mealtimes and find joy (vs. a subtle sense of 'just get it over with' burden) in my eating.
This isn't revolutionary topic or message, but maybe it was the right time for me to hear it that made this book so inspirational. I think that Marc also does a really nice job of moving beyond simply the facts of 'eat slowly, listen to your stomach', but also broadens it to a bit more holistic in terms of breath, mindset, calm, etc. It is a bit groovy, so it might not appeal to everyone-- but I found it so very thought-provoking- especially the concept that eating at my workdesk/eating in a rushed emotional state can set off so many internal triggers that drive poor digestion and a less optimal overall experience. I've been a consistent 'work through lunch' person, and this book made me take a look at this habit which I thought was innocuous ("I'm eating healthy, so who cares what state I'm in when I eat?") was actually quite a detriment to my health and wellbeing.
He refers to scientific studies throughout the book, however I didn't find that to be so critical as was the intuitive logic to his suggestions. The real win was when I practiced them and immediately felt the changes in my stress level, how my body was reacting to food (no more heartburn, upset stomach, etc), and how I felt after the whole mealtime (refreshed, calmed and energized vs. feeling like I've simply checked off yet another task on my long list of things to do).
As a result of this, we've employed actual sit-down breakfasts together as a family (best thing ever!), I make a real effort to get away from my desk and sit down to lunch in a deliberate and focused manner (feels so much better!) and that we have dinner together at the table together each night (what a nice way to wrap up the day and talk). I've actually found I'm losing some weight even though I'm not making any attempts at following any specific nutrition guidance and instead am just eating what my body tells me it wants. The best gain from this book however, is that I've refound my deep-down love for taste, food and eating, and even found that some things I was eating aren't actually tasty to me (bananas, things with HF corn syrup) and other things that I think I didn't like are now much more interesting to my palate (dark chocolate, cafe latte).
June 4, 2020
I’m anti-diet so I wish this book had a different title but it’s absolutely NOT a diet. This book is about intuitive eating and being mindful WHILE eating to experience your food and satisfy your brain along with your body. It gets into the science behind why paying attention to the food makes a difference in satisfaction and digestion. It does not place rigorous, harmful and restrictive rules on nutrition but rather allows that if we remove the mental clutter of our chaotic lives that we can truly listen to our bodies and allow them to communicate what they need because we are all different and one way of eating does not work for every person.
Only 4 stars because I couldn’t connect with the last chapter about divinity and faith. As a non-religious and science driven person I prefer not to put a lot of stock in the divine and rather rely on the power of the earth, sun and humanity.
Only 4 stars because I couldn’t connect with the last chapter about divinity and faith. As a non-religious and science driven person I prefer not to put a lot of stock in the divine and rather rely on the power of the earth, sun and humanity.
October 9, 2013
I read this book to assess its suitability as a resource in a curriculum I'm writing.
Pros
It contained some useful recommendations:
- Deep breathing is beneficial.
- Become aware of your daily rhythm of meals. Most people will be ready to eat every three hours or so.
- Take an inventory of things you find pleasurable, and instead of relying on food for pleasure, try some of the other pleasure-givers on your list.
Cons
There are parts that would make a physicist wince, and an ethicist groan. For example:
He cites quantum mechanics' observer effect and tries to apply it to bird-watching.
He asserts that "food choices are morally neutral."
Pros
It contained some useful recommendations:
- Deep breathing is beneficial.
- Become aware of your daily rhythm of meals. Most people will be ready to eat every three hours or so.
- Take an inventory of things you find pleasurable, and instead of relying on food for pleasure, try some of the other pleasure-givers on your list.
Cons
There are parts that would make a physicist wince, and an ethicist groan. For example:
He cites quantum mechanics' observer effect and tries to apply it to bird-watching.
He asserts that "food choices are morally neutral."
May 16, 2021
Definitely recommmended to everyone looking to transform their relationship with food. Some of the insights and ideas from this book really helped me to create the meaningful change! I enjoyed the books structure, the way it is written and that it goes well beyond the material aspect of food and eating. I would say the book is as well suitable for people with the history of eating disorders, which cannot be said for many books written by nutritionists.
April 5, 2015
eat slow, enjoy the food
more awareness less appetite
being stressed make you fat and die younger
by slowing down and paying attention, we will learn to nourish ourselves optimally in any given situation or circumstance.
more awareness less appetite
being stressed make you fat and die younger
by slowing down and paying attention, we will learn to nourish ourselves optimally in any given situation or circumstance.
October 21, 2020
Yes, I really read this.
January 25, 2016
What a phenomenal book! As a connoisseur of diet and nutrition books, I can honestly say that this was just what I needed when I needed it. Marc David lays out the effect that relaxation, spiritual beliefs, ritual, thought and perspective have on our metabolisms. He manages to provide ample scientific backup in a truly soulful way.
This book has found me in a place where I've figured out how to eat and exercise for optimal health and needed to address the deeper connection to feeding myself. So good. So applicable. Such a great read with lots of real-life exercises and application.
I read the whole book and will now go back to work through the exercises in order. Not all of them are necessary for me, so I'll pick and choose.
This book has found me in a place where I've figured out how to eat and exercise for optimal health and needed to address the deeper connection to feeding myself. So good. So applicable. Such a great read with lots of real-life exercises and application.
I read the whole book and will now go back to work through the exercises in order. Not all of them are necessary for me, so I'll pick and choose.
December 28, 2021
This is not your ordinary diet book. It’s a way of life. It teaches how to choose an intentional way of living over the mindfulness way.
I loved it and will reread it to remind myself of its philosophy.
From the book:
"Begin your metabolic journey now. Allow your body and your outlook to be new again. Let the journey be what it is, because that’s what it will be anyway. When uncertainty reigns, let it be your guide. When your inner knowing issues forth, follow it with trust and self-respect. When your metabolism is wounded, let it cry. Before you test the chemistry of your body, taste your tears. Before you take a drug, meditate, reflect, and pray. Before you limit yourself with a diet, expand yourself with love. Before you lose a pound, gain an insight. Before you exercise, be still. Before you attempt to cast out a bad habit, thank it for its teachings. Before you harm yourself in thought, word, or deed, pause. Before you allow someone dominion over your body, awaken. Before you seek advice, remember your wisdom. Before you speak, make sure it’s an improvement on silence. Before you’re intimate with another, touch the sacred. Before you fall ill, catch yourself. Before you lapse into fear, choose light. Before you believe in a world absent of a Creator, give birth. Before you remember your divine purpose, celebrate its imminent arrival. Before you eat, give gratitude. Before you sit for long hours, dance. Before you arise, bless everything. Before you sleep, do the same. Before you live another day, agree to be here in your fullness. And before you breathe another breath, choose eternity, choose love, choose now."
I loved it and will reread it to remind myself of its philosophy.
From the book:
"Begin your metabolic journey now. Allow your body and your outlook to be new again. Let the journey be what it is, because that’s what it will be anyway. When uncertainty reigns, let it be your guide. When your inner knowing issues forth, follow it with trust and self-respect. When your metabolism is wounded, let it cry. Before you test the chemistry of your body, taste your tears. Before you take a drug, meditate, reflect, and pray. Before you limit yourself with a diet, expand yourself with love. Before you lose a pound, gain an insight. Before you exercise, be still. Before you attempt to cast out a bad habit, thank it for its teachings. Before you harm yourself in thought, word, or deed, pause. Before you allow someone dominion over your body, awaken. Before you seek advice, remember your wisdom. Before you speak, make sure it’s an improvement on silence. Before you’re intimate with another, touch the sacred. Before you fall ill, catch yourself. Before you lapse into fear, choose light. Before you believe in a world absent of a Creator, give birth. Before you remember your divine purpose, celebrate its imminent arrival. Before you eat, give gratitude. Before you sit for long hours, dance. Before you arise, bless everything. Before you sleep, do the same. Before you live another day, agree to be here in your fullness. And before you breathe another breath, choose eternity, choose love, choose now."
November 6, 2021
This could have been condensed into an article, in my opinion. I ended up skimming through a lot of the material because it is just too Woo Woo spiritual out there for me. Aside from that there is a a lot of repetition and filler. The last chapter was something that I couldn't even read.
A lot of the case studies seemed overly simplistic. A lot of people without a foundation in nutrition could identify what was causing problems in the case studies health problems.
The one thing this book stresses, that makes sense is to slow down and eat good food that is good for you. I heard all of this on a podcast the author was a guest on, which caused my interest in the book. I am thankful my local library had it available, I would be upset to have spent money on this.
A lot of the case studies seemed overly simplistic. A lot of people without a foundation in nutrition could identify what was causing problems in the case studies health problems.
The one thing this book stresses, that makes sense is to slow down and eat good food that is good for you. I heard all of this on a podcast the author was a guest on, which caused my interest in the book. I am thankful my local library had it available, I would be upset to have spent money on this.
August 20, 2023
A really interesting book. The main thing it does is try to reframe your relationship with food (and life too, a little bit). And by doing so, promote a better functioning body, metabolism, and overall outlook on food and life. And I think overall it succeeds in doing so.
It’s a little hard to describe or go into detail, without poorly paraphrasing some of the author’s ideas.
It incorporates many things from different fields into the idea of diet, metabolism, and exercise. There’s things from science. There’s things from meditation. There’s things from philosophy. There’s things from faith (not necessarily any particular religion, just plain faith). It probably sounds a little “woo” when reading this review, and it did get a little too spiritual once or twice (at least for me), but it doesn’t overstay its welcome. There are very interesting and valuable things in the book, and I recommend anyone read it, regardless what your diet or general outlook on these things is. You will very likely have some strong and interesting takeaways regardless of where you’re coming from. And that alone I believe is worth the price of admission.
It’s a little hard to describe or go into detail, without poorly paraphrasing some of the author’s ideas.
It incorporates many things from different fields into the idea of diet, metabolism, and exercise. There’s things from science. There’s things from meditation. There’s things from philosophy. There’s things from faith (not necessarily any particular religion, just plain faith). It probably sounds a little “woo” when reading this review, and it did get a little too spiritual once or twice (at least for me), but it doesn’t overstay its welcome. There are very interesting and valuable things in the book, and I recommend anyone read it, regardless what your diet or general outlook on these things is. You will very likely have some strong and interesting takeaways regardless of where you’re coming from. And that alone I believe is worth the price of admission.
December 2, 2019
This book was a major eye-opener for me. Don’t let the title fool you. This book is in no way about a diet. It won’t ever tell you what to eat or not to eat. It will basically tell you to look inside yourself for what is causing your health or weight issues and to slow down and pay attention to the more spiritual side of life. To give gratitude and to forgive. I’ve always been fascinated by idea of mind over matter, especially as it relates to what’s going on inside our bodies. This book explains in a very simple, yet convincing way how our thoughts are metabolized in our bodies. The messages and takeaways from this book are game-changers.
December 26, 2022
Moving away from diet cultures fixation on “what” we eat, this book offers insight on an extremely important part of nourishment and nutrition—“how” we eat. Helpful information which can help debunk modern diet myths, by helping readers understand other components to eating that may arguably be more important than the food on our plate itself. I love how this book emphasizes the importance of regulating our nervous system to be able to fully digest our food; from break down to absorption.
I talk to my nutrition clients who have food phobia about how the impact stress can take on our body may be worse than the food itself. A great read for someone who feels stuck with their food relationship, weight loss, or wellness goals.
I talk to my nutrition clients who have food phobia about how the impact stress can take on our body may be worse than the food itself. A great read for someone who feels stuck with their food relationship, weight loss, or wellness goals.
March 19, 2018
BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ ON NUTRITION, SELF CARE AND ENERGY.
It was a real treat to read Marc David's 10th edition anniversary book "The Slow Down Diet". It made perfect sense to me in every level of life: working full time as an engineer, running my coaching business part-time, training for my first triathlon and living life with nourishment, respect, care, love, faith and joy.
I fully recommend this book.
It was a real treat to read Marc David's 10th edition anniversary book "The Slow Down Diet". It made perfect sense to me in every level of life: working full time as an engineer, running my coaching business part-time, training for my first triathlon and living life with nourishment, respect, care, love, faith and joy.
I fully recommend this book.
November 13, 2021
Everyone need to read this book! I always tell my nutrition clients, “a body in stress won’t digest,” and this book shows the intricacies of the relationship between what we eat and what we THINK about what we eat, along with how stress hinders nutrient absorption and digestion. I am now recommending this to every client.
August 18, 2025
The Slow Down Diet est de loin le meilleur livre que j’ai lu sur l’alimentation consciente. Marc David explique avec une grande simplicité des concepts puissants, faciles à comprendre et à appliquer. C’est à la fois inspirant et extrêmement aidant pour transformer sa relation à la nourriture. Je recommande +++
March 6, 2018
Different Perspective
I think most people already know counting points or calories, do not work. This book gives you the opportunity to explore alternate paths to a healthier mind, body and soul.
I think most people already know counting points or calories, do not work. This book gives you the opportunity to explore alternate paths to a healthier mind, body and soul.
January 3, 2018
Oh, please!! This book would have been much better edited down to half it's size, and without the arrogant attitude.
January 6, 2018
Great ideas - trying to follow them, but it means changing years of bad habits!
January 25, 2018
Good until about week 5, then I was over it.
May 25, 2019
Amazing book!!!!
June 5, 2019
Great book!!
I wish I could read the other book of marc david also in Spanish (nourishing wisdom)
I wish I could read the other book of marc david also in Spanish (nourishing wisdom)
August 15, 2019
I enjoyed this book! I love to read about different eating styles and that's taught me a few new things!
June 6, 2020
A good read for altering one’s relationship with food if it has been challenging. Tools are offered for practice and change. Marc David is the cofounder of The Psychology of Eating program.
July 7, 2020
Very interesting book with lots of information about how eating is tied to so many other things. This is not really a diet, but I recommend it for everyone!
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August 3, 2021This book started off really good and then jumped the crazy train. Don't bother reading the last chapter.
August 4, 2021
This book has some great ideas and things to put into practice but it also has useless sections. Feel free to skip weeks 2, 7 and especially 8.
January 29, 2023
This was incredibly insightful. The title is a little deceiving. It is not in fact a diet at all, but rather an 8 week journey in learning to love and honor our bodies. I feel truly inspired.
December 15, 2023
My therapist suggested this book for my food issues.
April 26, 2024
Slow the Fork Down. The other half of fixing the problems with the SAD. We need to eat more like healthy monkeys: what we eat, but also how we do it.
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