Perfect Health: The Natural Way

by Mary-Ann Shearer

So many diet programs emphasize a gimmick—counting calories, cutting back on carbs—in order to lose weight. Although these measures may result in weight loss, the weight often comes back and your health may be compromised in the process. In order to lose weight safely and easily, you must change the way you view diet and weight loss: Losing weight is not just about getting thinner…it’s about gaining health. Perfect Health: The Natural Way is about feeding your body what it was designed to eat. This program is not about calorie-counting or deprivation, but about eating an abundance of good, healthy food and understanding what your body needs. By concentrating on getting healthy instead of dieting, you will not just lose weight but radiate health and vitality. Combining scientific findings and common sense, Mary-Ann Shearer clears up the confusion surrounding various diets and explains what we need to eat in order to gain total health: What is the “perfect food” that our bodies are designed to eat? Do we really need animal protein in order to be healthy? What is the truth about healthy fats? How does fasting help the body heal? This book explains not just what we should eat and why, but also offers valuable suggestions on how to integrate this new way of eating into your lifestyle. Included is a section featuring delicious, easy-to-prepare, healthy recipes that will help you begin your journey to PERFECT HEALTH!

Genres: Nutrition

278 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2007

Reviews

[Anna Brotherson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was overall a really helpful, sensible defence of eating healthy whole foods, and having a healthy whole life, and the multitude of health benefits of doing just that. It had a lot of useful information and ways of thinking about food and digestion, which certainly aid health and have been really good for me to think over.

I took stars off because of a few quibbles:

- Her ideas on food combining (ie eating certain foods with other foods, not eating carbs and proteins together, etc) are unfounded and certainly not "natural". She offers only a brief and ineffective rebuttal to the point that traditional cultures around the world always combine carbs and protein, despite claiming that her entire approach is based on "common sense". Moreover, having tried it, it was a depressing and unhelpful way for me to eat: I didn't enjoy meals nearly as much, and felt ravenous again an hour after eating. It might work for some, but it isn't vital and isn't particularly sensible for many. And I dislike simple, nutritious combinations like peanut butter on toast, or even plain legumes, being labeled as "a mess in your stomach" or a "modern abomination".
- I think she didn't really explore the function of cooking enough - it's one thing to advocate lots of raw food, but it would be nice to know why all cultures cook food if raw food is so much better.
- She has a few gaps in her theory, such as why Eskimos (who only eat meat and animal products) can be so healthy if meat is so much better to be avoided.
- She makes some theological claims which are highly debatable - primarily that disease comes *only* from man-made foods/toxins, or conversely that eating only God-given foods according to her approach will predictably result in "perfect" health.

[Linda Machie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read. Implemented the dietary guidelines and saw a difference in my life and in 2 months, I'm more energetic and active. Totally recommend it.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here we go, another book on nutrition. This one saying you should eat lots of fruit (even more than vegetables), no tea (even green), no starches with protein. Combinations really matter. This diet, according to the author, cleared up her rash, keeps her husband from snoring and clears up sinus trouble.
I'm not saying she is wrong or right, I'm just confused by so many opinions by so many experts. Some say to fast, that when you eat is more important the what you eat, some say no sugar or white flour but fat is OK. Some say no meat at all. I guess you just pick one you like without worrying about which one is right. If it's right for you, it's right.

[Linette · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not going to star rate this book. I would not have picked this up in a bookshop because I have been there and done that so many times. A friend got me to read this book and it is full of a lot of very interesting research that back up Mary-Ann's approach. I don't know if I could do this without the Wellness coach to talk me through. That is possibly the result of having fad dieted for so many years.
This is not a fad diet it's a lifestyle change which can only be done one small step at a time.

The star rating is out here. The proof of the pudding will be in the doing.


And this diet did me in. Because I came to it when I was menopausal the levels of sugar in going fruitatarian and vegetarian pu 10 kilos on me.

Don’t do it!

[Desislava · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend that book to everyone.

[Atholl Tomlinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My boss suggested it so I felt obliged to read it. Found it pretty interesting, some of it makes a lot of sense but I like my meat and potatoes too much to follow it.

[Glenda · Rating 1 out of 5]

to sum it up..eat only fruit, everything else...BAD! I could not finish it. It did have a few interesting points.