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The Great American Detox Diet
Here, for all those eagerly awaiting the paperback edition, is the detox plan featured in the hit movie Super Size Me ―the program that reversed the damage filmmaker Morgan Spurlock did to his body in a month of gorging on nothing but fast food
Alex Jamieson, a certified holistic health counselor and vegan chef―presents the everyman's version of the detox plan that helped Spurlock lose 14 pounds in 8 weeks. Flexible and easy to follow, this 8-week strategy lays out a step-by-step plan for not only ridding the body of harmful toxins but also ending addictions to sugar, fats, and carbohydrates that damage both mental and physical well-being. Filled with 100 unique, delicious, and healthy recipes, The Great American Detox Diet can help anyone begin a lifetime of wellness and good health – and regain control of their body and lose weight.
Alex Jamieson, a certified holistic health counselor and vegan chef―presents the everyman's version of the detox plan that helped Spurlock lose 14 pounds in 8 weeks. Flexible and easy to follow, this 8-week strategy lays out a step-by-step plan for not only ridding the body of harmful toxins but also ending addictions to sugar, fats, and carbohydrates that damage both mental and physical well-being. Filled with 100 unique, delicious, and healthy recipes, The Great American Detox Diet can help anyone begin a lifetime of wellness and good health – and regain control of their body and lose weight.
306 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2005
17 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Jamieson
8 books33 followersAs the best-selling author of five books including Radical Alignment, Women, Food & Desire, and co-creator and co-star of the Oscar-nominated documentary Super Size Me, Alexandra Jamieson is an activist artist, veteran coach and mentor, and motivational guide for thousands.
Alex has made it her mission to empower people to slay their shame, and shine their creative unique souls to the world.
Her activist art includes the Abortion Trading Cards and book, and the Fascism Tarot Deck.
Her latest book Radical Alignment, co-authored with her husband Bob Gower, published August 11, 2020.
Alex has developed many interactive workshops, retreats, and private coaching programs.
Her work has been featured in O Magazine, Goop, Martha Stewart Living, the New York Times, CNN, Elle, Marie Claire, USA Today, People, and the American Heart Association amongst many others.
Alex is also an award-winning watercolor painter and loves leaving her laptop to get lost in creating commissioned works for clients around the world.
Alex has made it her mission to empower people to slay their shame, and shine their creative unique souls to the world.
Her activist art includes the Abortion Trading Cards and book, and the Fascism Tarot Deck.
Her latest book Radical Alignment, co-authored with her husband Bob Gower, published August 11, 2020.
Alex has developed many interactive workshops, retreats, and private coaching programs.
Her work has been featured in O Magazine, Goop, Martha Stewart Living, the New York Times, CNN, Elle, Marie Claire, USA Today, People, and the American Heart Association amongst many others.
Alex is also an award-winning watercolor painter and loves leaving her laptop to get lost in creating commissioned works for clients around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 23, 2010
First off, this isn't a "diet" this book expects a complete lifestyle change - forever. It's not a quickie fix cleansing so with that said on to the review.
I didn't learn anything new from this book probably because I've read too many books & seen too many scary documentaries on the sorry state of our food system but it did get me motivated to work my way back to a veggie lifestyle and attempt to cut down on the sweets and caffeine overload that gets me through the day.
This book is a good starting point for anyone interested in improving their health and seeking an alternative route to expensive medications and doctor visits for things such as pre-diabetes and borderline high cholesterol. She outlines the horrors of our current over processed, over medicated and often times just plain dirty food system but also goes into the dangers of plastic, even going so far as to say your rugs may be toxic. She is a bit contradictory in that at one point she says always keep a ton of water bottles in your car because it is so important to stay hydrated and then in a later chapter says that leaving plastics in the heat are a big no no because the toxins leach out into the water. So, are we supposed to keep glass containers sloshing around the back of our vehicles and where can I find these glass bottles of long ago? The thought of these breaking and leaking everywhere terrifies me because I store my bookcrossing books in the hatch of my car! Also, are we supposed to carry around heavy glass jugs while hiking, biking, walking? I felt she went a bit alarmist at times but take from it what you will.
My husband has already started this plan and quit everything cold turkey. He's a little nuts, if you ask me. He had a headache on day 1 but is feeling much better now and has lost a bit of weight. He's braver or crazier than I because I'm not doing that. I fear for my mental health. In all honesty, if I were to follow all of her recommendations I don't think I'd find life worth living. I can live without the meat, the animal products, the added salt and possibly without the cheese but the thought of never eating sugar or my drinking morning coffee or red wine is just too depressing to consider. I'm going to try it for 8 weeks to cleanse my system but I'm taking it slow as the book suggests. I may have to stay holed up in my room in order to spare my family the misery I'm sure to cause them all.
I do like the addition of the "mental detox" bits as most books of these sort ignore the mind and spirit in favor of the body. She mentions stress relievers and kindnesses you can do for yourself to help take your mind off of all you are giving up. I'll have to put these to the test.
The recipe section at the very end of the book at first glance looks very ho-hum. None of them call out to me to give them a try which disappointed me because I expected some great stuff from a vegan chef. I handed my husband a pad of sticky notes and told him to stick a note on every recipe he wanted me to try and he only tagged two pages. He kept saying, "I don't know what half of this stuff is". I may change my mind after I make a few but for now "Vegan with A Vengeance" & Vegan Planet offer many recipes that fall within this program, or are easily modified, so I'll use those instead (but my beloved Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World cookbook will have to be hidden for awhile, sob). For what it's worth I also handed him the Vengeance book and he used up the entire pad of notes before handing the book back to me and telling me to make anything from it, so many of the recipes sound good.
I didn't learn anything new from this book probably because I've read too many books & seen too many scary documentaries on the sorry state of our food system but it did get me motivated to work my way back to a veggie lifestyle and attempt to cut down on the sweets and caffeine overload that gets me through the day.
This book is a good starting point for anyone interested in improving their health and seeking an alternative route to expensive medications and doctor visits for things such as pre-diabetes and borderline high cholesterol. She outlines the horrors of our current over processed, over medicated and often times just plain dirty food system but also goes into the dangers of plastic, even going so far as to say your rugs may be toxic. She is a bit contradictory in that at one point she says always keep a ton of water bottles in your car because it is so important to stay hydrated and then in a later chapter says that leaving plastics in the heat are a big no no because the toxins leach out into the water. So, are we supposed to keep glass containers sloshing around the back of our vehicles and where can I find these glass bottles of long ago? The thought of these breaking and leaking everywhere terrifies me because I store my bookcrossing books in the hatch of my car! Also, are we supposed to carry around heavy glass jugs while hiking, biking, walking? I felt she went a bit alarmist at times but take from it what you will.
My husband has already started this plan and quit everything cold turkey. He's a little nuts, if you ask me. He had a headache on day 1 but is feeling much better now and has lost a bit of weight. He's braver or crazier than I because I'm not doing that. I fear for my mental health. In all honesty, if I were to follow all of her recommendations I don't think I'd find life worth living. I can live without the meat, the animal products, the added salt and possibly without the cheese but the thought of never eating sugar or my drinking morning coffee or red wine is just too depressing to consider. I'm going to try it for 8 weeks to cleanse my system but I'm taking it slow as the book suggests. I may have to stay holed up in my room in order to spare my family the misery I'm sure to cause them all.
I do like the addition of the "mental detox" bits as most books of these sort ignore the mind and spirit in favor of the body. She mentions stress relievers and kindnesses you can do for yourself to help take your mind off of all you are giving up. I'll have to put these to the test.
The recipe section at the very end of the book at first glance looks very ho-hum. None of them call out to me to give them a try which disappointed me because I expected some great stuff from a vegan chef. I handed my husband a pad of sticky notes and told him to stick a note on every recipe he wanted me to try and he only tagged two pages. He kept saying, "I don't know what half of this stuff is". I may change my mind after I make a few but for now "Vegan with A Vengeance" & Vegan Planet offer many recipes that fall within this program, or are easily modified, so I'll use those instead (but my beloved Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World cookbook will have to be hidden for awhile, sob). For what it's worth I also handed him the Vengeance book and he used up the entire pad of notes before handing the book back to me and telling me to make anything from it, so many of the recipes sound good.
February 6, 2008
I got this book out of the library because I found the author's recipe for "Creamy" Potato Leek soup online and I really liked it. I figured the book might have some other good recipes. It has a few but I was mostly disappointed.
As for the book itself - stuff I already knew (Don't eat pre-packaged foods! Drink lots of water!) combined with a lot of pseudo-science. And no citations, even though there should be.
As for the book itself - stuff I already knew (Don't eat pre-packaged foods! Drink lots of water!) combined with a lot of pseudo-science. And no citations, even though there should be.
May 1, 2008
Finished the book and tried quite a few of the recipes. I am still detoxing and lose weight slowly and constantly.
And I feel so balanced :)
I got this book because I felt I needed to detox. This book is great. The author explains in detail which food is doing what to your body and how. How do carbohydrates differ? What exactly does a trans fat do to you that is so bad? And lots more interesting stuff that motivates me to keep eating more healthily. Since I've come to live in the US 5 months ago I wanted to try most foods that are available (not even junk and sweet stuff) but after a few weeks I began feeling unhappy with myself and my tummy grew and grew even with keeping my calories the same. I now learn that the meat in the US is grown and prepared a lot differently than in Europe (growth hormones and irradiation) and apparently my body does not like it. Now I am cutting out things that potentially toxify my body - bit by bit - and I am feeling a lot better already. I even wake up before the alarm clock - all alert and ready for the day. Cut out so far: sugar, caffeine and reduced meat and milk.
And I feel so balanced :)
I got this book because I felt I needed to detox. This book is great. The author explains in detail which food is doing what to your body and how. How do carbohydrates differ? What exactly does a trans fat do to you that is so bad? And lots more interesting stuff that motivates me to keep eating more healthily. Since I've come to live in the US 5 months ago I wanted to try most foods that are available (not even junk and sweet stuff) but after a few weeks I began feeling unhappy with myself and my tummy grew and grew even with keeping my calories the same. I now learn that the meat in the US is grown and prepared a lot differently than in Europe (growth hormones and irradiation) and apparently my body does not like it. Now I am cutting out things that potentially toxify my body - bit by bit - and I am feeling a lot better already. I even wake up before the alarm clock - all alert and ready for the day. Cut out so far: sugar, caffeine and reduced meat and milk.
April 22, 2024
This is an older book but I was impressed with how on point it was especially with environmental toxins.
There are some great tips, but overall the book could have been shorter. There's a lot of repetition in the anecdotal parts of the story.
There are some great tips, but overall the book could have been shorter. There's a lot of repetition in the anecdotal parts of the story.
October 11, 2012
I enjoyed reading this book. If anyone is looking for a quick summary of nutrition, this is actually a great book about the basics of nutrition. It looks as if there are some good recipes as well. Alex Jamieson helped to heal her fiance, the man who made 'SuperSize Me' with an eight week program that includes adding more water into your life, getting rid of caffeine and sugar, making sure you eat the right carbohydrates, fats and proteins. But this book does go in to more detail than that, and is a good primer for nutritional basics.
The one major fault I find with the book is that even though it does go in to the basics of nutrition, it does not do a good job of summing up what one should do if they want to follow the detox diet. Generalities are given, but it is not truly spelled out. I enjoyed the facts and figures about the SAD (Standard American Diet - which is SAD indeed!), and the review of nutrition, as I just finished a nutrition class. But I was left wanting more 'how-to' advice. I already follow many of the principles of the Great American Detox Diet, but hoped for more information to point out to others.
The one major fault I find with the book is that even though it does go in to the basics of nutrition, it does not do a good job of summing up what one should do if they want to follow the detox diet. Generalities are given, but it is not truly spelled out. I enjoyed the facts and figures about the SAD (Standard American Diet - which is SAD indeed!), and the review of nutrition, as I just finished a nutrition class. But I was left wanting more 'how-to' advice. I already follow many of the principles of the Great American Detox Diet, but hoped for more information to point out to others.
January 16, 2011
Alex Jamieson is the wife of Morgan Spurlock who created "Super-size Me." This book is the product of his road to recovery from his 30 day McDonalds diet. I have read a number of books on health, nutrition, diet and such. All of which seem to reiterate the same core information that we should be eating "real" food that we prepare and a lot less of it. With her background in nutrition and food preparation, Alex Jamieson's book was factually intriguing and logical. Her approach is vegan but not vegan or vegetarian for all. Her main objective is to illustrate that the detox is for life not a diet and that everyone can learn how to operate their own body at an optimal level. I'd started this book a few years back and didn't finish it. I am glad that I have finished it and look forward to exploring the recipes and ideology of book. It's so much common sense that every health magazine right now is touting. Makes it hard not to follow some if not all of her recommendations.
August 31, 2013
I enjoyed Alex's part in the documentary "Supersize Me." The food she was preparing (she's a vegan chef) looked delicious, and I liked the dynamic between her and Morgan.
So, as to this book (which I checked out of the library): It's not terrible. The first part, about her own background and why she became a chef, was the best.
As for the rest, the main problem with the book (as with so many other books on this topic) is not that it's bad, so much that there's really nothing new. If you've already read about this topic, you will probably be disappointed.
On the other hand (and it's been quite a while since I read this, so I hope I remember correctly), unlike some other books on this subject, she didn't recommend the faddish, expensive and/or dangerous stuff that sometimes crops up (colonics, pricey supplements, extreme cleanses.) You won't hurt yourself following her advice. As I recall, it was pretty common sense stuff: drink more water, avoid caffeine and junk, etc.
So, as to this book (which I checked out of the library): It's not terrible. The first part, about her own background and why she became a chef, was the best.
As for the rest, the main problem with the book (as with so many other books on this topic) is not that it's bad, so much that there's really nothing new. If you've already read about this topic, you will probably be disappointed.
On the other hand (and it's been quite a while since I read this, so I hope I remember correctly), unlike some other books on this subject, she didn't recommend the faddish, expensive and/or dangerous stuff that sometimes crops up (colonics, pricey supplements, extreme cleanses.) You won't hurt yourself following her advice. As I recall, it was pretty common sense stuff: drink more water, avoid caffeine and junk, etc.
September 4, 2016
Is it possible to highlight an ENTIRE book? I think I got really close. I got this book after eating a bit too much garbage over the holidays and wanted a detox/cleanse type of book. I had heard of Supersize Me but had never actually seen the movie and didn't even realize the connection with this book until it arrived and I started reading it.
Love the way the book is broken down into catagories of foods. And I like how the author gives you just enough science to back up everything and has it make sense but doesn't overload you or talk over your head.
The author is vegan but never judges you if you aren't prepared to make that leap. And still gives you options of good healthy things to eat if you aren't vegan.
I haven't tried any of the recipes yet but looking forward to it!
Love the way the book is broken down into catagories of foods. And I like how the author gives you just enough science to back up everything and has it make sense but doesn't overload you or talk over your head.
The author is vegan but never judges you if you aren't prepared to make that leap. And still gives you options of good healthy things to eat if you aren't vegan.
I haven't tried any of the recipes yet but looking forward to it!
June 27, 2013
I got this last year after re-watching Super Size Me. I finally read it and it has some useful information. I like how she suggests detoxifying in baby steps-week by week. It does not give a detailed plan, but gives suggestions to rid yourself of sugars, caffeine, fats, processed foods, etc. There are not really any footnotes, but a lot of the information I have also read in other books and in Forks Over Knives. I plan on using some of the suggestions and I use one of the smoothies in the recipe sections every morning. I am anxious to try some more.
Want to read
June 30, 2007I usually shy away from things that say anything remotely similar to "Feel Better, Look Better, and Lose Weight!" but in this case I'll forgive the gimicky title because I've heard that Jamieson includes a lot of great info about the enrichment process, oil processing, and plastics. You know, really exciting stuff! Seriously though, this (I'm hoping) is a book about much much more than just a diet.
Plus she's married to the Super Size Me dude.
Plus she's married to the Super Size Me dude.
May 17, 2010
A few thing I didn't like and thought maybe she should have researched more was Colonics.They are useless and can do way more harm than good.Your Colon naturally sheds it's lining.You can read more about it if you visit Dr. Weil.com.A world renowned Dr.Juice is the other issue,as it is a empty calorie beverage.Your better off juicing yourself,drinking water or eating the fruit itself.As with any book like this one,it's best to get a few ideas and apply them to your current lifestyle.
June 12, 2011
After meeting Alex at the vegetarian event back in April, I couldn't say no to buying her book. A bit more practical than The Beauty Detox Solution, Jameson instilled the same principles of eat less, more fresh vegetables, reduce gluten and focus on whole grains. Whats really great is the end third of the book is great recipes, many of which I have tried. I did have to buy a bunch of new ingredients, but I find that to be fun and creative. A must read for people interested in nutrition.
October 15, 2012
Still reading, but this book will really make you want to better your diet and begin reducing the items on your shelf you currently ingest or completely remove it altogether. Yes, yes. We all die eventually, but wouldn't it be nice to go out dying in a little less pain than the others? I have been reading this on and off for some time, and re-reading sections on and off as time progresses. It is like an instruction manual for life diet.
January 10, 2011
Great recipes!
A lot of this is not really groundbreaking, but Jamieson explains in a clear, conversational, non-hysteric way why certain things are good for you, while other things are not. Though she is vegan, I didn't feel as if any agenda was being pushed--it was just "please improve your health." Refreshing!
A lot of this is not really groundbreaking, but Jamieson explains in a clear, conversational, non-hysteric way why certain things are good for you, while other things are not. Though she is vegan, I didn't feel as if any agenda was being pushed--it was just "please improve your health." Refreshing!
Want to read
April 4, 2013So far, so good. She makes an excellent case for encouraging detox rather than use the word diet. Though, a diet change is exactly what we all need and she even says so. Both detox and diet being loaded words, she opts for detox.
Update 12/2012 - Still working on it. Slowly. I get distracted easily from non-fiction works. Can't help it.
Update 12/2012 - Still working on it. Slowly. I get distracted easily from non-fiction works. Can't help it.
Read
April 2, 2021As a near-vegan I like to read food/nutrition/diet/recipe books to remind myself why I'm following the vegan regime. This is a nice summary of good things to do for your body and yourself, i.e. drink more water, eat less fat, stick to while grains and complex carb etc etc.
Some references or sources would have been nice.
Some references or sources would have been nice.
July 11, 2008
I really loved Alex's writing style--so practical and helpful. She really knows her food--and the chemical make-up of different food elements and how it affects the body. I found this book fascinating, and very educational!
March 7, 2008
She definitely makes some interesting points in this book. After reading it my fiance and I are making a point to eat better and eat more organic or locally grown food. She has some quick and easy recipes included.
December 20, 2008
5 stars for the delicious vegan and gluten-free recipes in the back, 3 stars for the nutritional argument Jamieson makes in the first three-quarters, don't like how the book's title pushes the nutritional concepts discussed under the guise of a weight loss tool-type book.
September 3, 2009
This book was written by the wife of Morgan Spurlock, the man who ate only McDonalds for 30 days and filmed the results for 'Supersize Me'. It's a fairly basic nutritional book with some recipes at the end. It's interesting, but nothing ground-breaking.
June 6, 2007
Full of facts with no sources listed, this book could have been written by grabbing info while surfing the web.... But the recipes are great.
August 16, 2007
Pretty good book, but you probably won't learn anything new. Drink lots of water, eat right and exercise. How many times can you hear that? Good vegan recipes.
March 2, 2008
This is the only true and not trend not.Healthy eating needs to be coupled with exercise as well as a healthy social life.Plus,it has great recipes too!
March 6, 2008
this is written by the girlfriend of the guy who did the "Super Size Me" movie about McDonald's.
March 24, 2008
Pretty good. Nothing too groundbreaking...but some good ideas. Good for those needing some motivation when it comes to eating better.
May 30, 2008
Awesome book. It really opened up my eyes to what I was eating. Totally life changing!
October 12, 2008
i always turn to hippie crap during fibromyalgia flareups. i probably should start looking at more gluten-free stuff. sigh.
May 29, 2009
By the partner of Morgan Spurlock who did Super Size Me. She's a vegan chef and unveils the truth about the gunk in our food.
November 25, 2009
I did not come away feeling as though I had learned anything from reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews