For my Application of Nutrition Concepts course, we were divided into groups and told to pick a weight-loss book to review. I’ve been curious about Paleo diets, and my group agreed on this topic. I conducted a good, old-fashioned Google search for Paleo diet books, and one of the first things that came up was Eat to Live by Joel Furhman.
Knowing nothing about the book, but seeing that copies were readily available at both the city and county libraries, I suggested the book to my group. Everyone agreed, and we submitted the title to the instructor. And then I started reading the book.
Dr. Fuhrman’s weight loss plan is definitely NOT Paleo. Oops! Eat to Live advocates a plant-based diet, which on the surface seems the exact opposite of Paleo. However, some of the components for sound, safe weight loss are shared. Dr. Fuhrman’s plan focuses on increasing nutrient density in the diet. Adherents should avoid processed foods and cut out refined carbohydrates (pp. 36-39); this is an aspect that the diet shares with Paleo.
Instead of learning more about Paleo, I ended up with a book that tracks rather closely with how I already eat, except that my diet is much higher in fat than what Dr. Fuhrman advocates, which makes sense given that I am trying to maintain weight (in a body that, unlike most people’s, doesn’t hoard pounds).
Eventually, I’ll get around to reading more about Paleo diets. I’m also fascinated by ketogenic diets, since they claim many of the same health and weight-loss benefits as a very low-fat, plant-based diet (as seen in Furhman’s book), but are at the extreme opposite end of the fat-consumption spectrum.
Her Green Life 