Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #70875 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Prout, a nutritionist at the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley, Ca., believes that people could lose weight and improve their general health by modifying their Western diet to include the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM is based on the principles of balance (yin-yang) and Qi, which the Chinese believe is our vital life force. Key to the success of TCM, she explains, is understanding one's "pattern of imbalance" (e.g., "dry," "damp," "warm," "cool") and personalizing one's diet to maintain healthy equilibrium or "strong spleen Qi." Nevertheless, Prout acknowledges that "it is likely that you will have combinations of more than one pattern," and even if a person is balanced, he or she can experience periods of imbalance (e.g., PMS, insomnia, depression, bloating). Though her explanations are sensible and she offers considerable anecdotal evidence, readers not well-versed in Eastern thought may be overwhelmed by the inordinate details of TCM (e.g., the five elementsAwood, fire, metal, water and earthAof nutrition, climate, food colors, etc.) and how to use them. To ease confusion, Prout recommends the best foods for particular patterns of imbalance and offers considerable anecdotal evidence. Unfortunately, impatient readers who are used to opening a typical Western diet book that spells out exact menus for every meal every day may dismiss Prout's recommendations. (Jan.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Linda Prout, M.S., is the resident nutritionist at the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley, California. She is a consultant and speaker to corporations seeking to enhance employee productivity through lifestyle changes as well as a counselor to individuals seeking more energy and better health. She also serves as a consultant to the Discovery Health Channel. She lives in Santa Rosa, California.

Customer Reviews

Good Information
The author of this book provides extensive information about how to balance your diet from a combined Western/Asian perspective, however, the book would be more useful if she had provided comprehensive summaries of the information. She does give short summaries of specific sections, but since a lot of the information applies to several aspects of a person, a quick reference summary of types of people and their corresponding needs/solutions would be helpful. You are going to have to compile this for yourself, and it will be time consuming. I do think she gives useful information here though, so I would recommend this book.

Improve your health and diet: buy this book.
I published a long review of the book on my web site, but to put it simply, this book could change your life. Anyone with even a passing interest in diet and nutrition will find it enjoyable and educational. It is a must read if you have any health or medical issues or if you are at all frustrated with your current eating patterns.

The book is full of information, with every sentence seeming to contain a new nutritional idea or fact. All the facts and figures are incredibly well researched and documented. If you are new to the concepts in the book, you will find it easy to follow and understand. If you are already well versed in the Traditional Chinese approach to diet and nutrition you will find it a wonderful source of new information and a great addition to your reference shelf.

Personalized Nutrition
This is a great book if you are tired of the "one approach fits all" way of eating. It examines the time-proven message of Traditional Chinese Medicine: we can improve our health by changing what we eat. I have been following the eating plan for dampness for three weeks and have lost 5 lbs effortlessly. I have more energy and no cravings. Best of all, I feel in control of what I am eating and doing. Linda presents the information in a clear way that is easy to follow. If you want to make the right changes in your life to regain and maintain your health, this is the book for you.