Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

Although I read this book early in the summer, I wanted to actually follow the suggested diet before writing a review.  After I read this book, I was so impressed, I ordered ten copies so that I could pass it out to each of our five kids and several friends that I knew would benefit from it. Dr. Fuhrman begins this book by poking holes in the traditional way we eat, providing a clear, well-cited explanation of why dairy, meats, and even olive oil do not possess the nutritional benefits we’ve been lead to believe. He systematically disassembles many of the nutritional myths that have become the cornerstone of the American diet and then explains the importance of choosing nutritionally-dense foods to prevent disease and lose unwanted weight. The impressive research that went into this text, the true stories of people who changed their lives, and the persuasive insights about the effect of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts on our health, motivated me to try this new way of eating.  Since I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about nutrition and a healthy eater, I was surprised by much of the information I learned in this book. This was by far the most persuasive and impressive book about health and nutrition that I’d ever read.

Although it is not strictly a weight-loss book, Dr. Furhmann includes a diet to help you shed pounds without counting calories, adding points, or depriving yourself of nutrients.  My husband has been striving to lose weight for a long time. After three weeks on Dr. Furhman’s aggressive plan, he lost thirteen pounds. I have followed the modified version, and although it is not always easy, the foods are satisfying and I am even learning a variety of new recipes that taste delicious even though they contain no meat, dairy, oil, or butter. If you care about your health, this book is a “must-read”. Even if this book only convinces you to add more fruit and vegetables to your diet, that alone can go a long way to preventing disease and helping you properly nourish your body.  It’s a great time of year to start pursuing a healthier lifestyle. “Eat to Live”…you won’t regret it!