Rob Thompson (2)

This is the best book about diabetes (and preventing it) that I've ever read. The author not only talks about what other people should do, he actually practices what he preaches as he was diagnosed with diabetes as well. It's a great book that explains in easy-to-read terms what diabetes is, how you get it, how you can prevent it, and what foods to eat to manage it. I highly recommend to anyone currently living with diabetes or with a family member with diabetes and as a guidebook to prevent diabetes and generally eat healthier.… (altro)

Anyone who's following my reviews knows that I am an unapologetic Dana Carpender fangirl. Her recipes never disappoint, and I have always appreciated her ability to explain complex nutritional concepts in a way that the average reader can easily understand. So I was intrigued when I learned of her collaboration with Dr. Rob Thompson on The Insulin Resistance Solution. And I was not disappointed.

Dr. Thompson, like Ms. Carpender, has a talent for presenting medical information in a layman-friendly, easy to understand way. His analysis of what insulin resistance is and how to reclaim a normal metabolism are probably the best that I have read. Dr. Thompson debunks the "eat less and exercise more" myth of weight loss and explains the best way to activate the specific muscle tissues that can help increase your insulin sensitivity. In addition to the very clear explanations of the various diabetes drugs and what they actually do, I really appreciated the explanation of glycemic load, "the magic number" for weight loss, and the tips for reducing the glycemic load without becoming one of those annoying dieters who makes every social occasion an eating nightmare. The appendix that provides the glycemic load for about a hundred different foods is a really useful resource.

Ms. Carpender's recipes are, as always, easy to understand, easy to follow, and undeniably delicious. When you receive your copy, the first thing you should try is the Fudgy Chocolate Whatchamacallit. That recipe alone is worth the price of the book. (And if you are missing your Chex© Party Mix on your low-carb diet, make a batch of Snack Crack. You'll be glad you did.) I really thought that everything that could be said about eggs had been said, but here you will find some great new ideas, including an amazing chicken and asparagus frittata and a delicious cheese quiche flavored with curry.… (altro)

Highly sensible, science-based recommendations for losing weight. Roughly aligns with Gary Taubes's (Good Calories, Bad Calories; Why We Get Fat) conclusions about the importance of insulin in determining body composition, but offers more in the way of practical advice.

Takeaways: 1) starch is much more of a culprit than sugar, because we tend to eat so much at a serving; 2) whole grains are not really much better than white versions when it comes to insulin response (they do have more nutrients, however); 3) allowing some sugar is actually better for diet adherence, just keep portions small and eat after fat & protein; 4) exercising slow-twitch muscles can help greatly with improving insulin sensitivity; he recommends at least 30 minutes of walking, every other day; 5) the objective of strength training is primarily to avoid losing muscle (and hence lowering metabolism) while losing pounds.

Drawbacks: Pretty repetitive and not a lot of content in the end. I wanted to know more about the glycemic effects of food combining, and how to gauge the glycemic load of actual foods.… (altro)