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2nd out of 3 books
—
13 voters
Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition
Used as a reference by students of acupuncture, this is a hefty, truly comprehensive guide to the theory and healing power of Chinese medicine. It's also a primer on nutrition—including facts about green foods, such as spirulina and blue-green algae, and the "regeneration diets" used by cancer patients and arthritics—along with an inspiring cookbook with more than 300 most...more
Paperback, Third Edition, 784 pages
Published
November 5th 2002
by North Atlantic Books
(first published 1993)
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an epic overview of east meets west nutrition from a chinese medicine perspective [no ayerveda here]. i'm not sure i'll finish this 700+ page reference, but it has been easier to use it as such since reading some of the deeper diagnostic discussions early on in the book. because i temper my hippie eating food habits [currently being dubbed the 'priviledged peasant' diet] with lots of butter and bacon, i'm not sure i can be a proponent of this book with full integrity. but if you walk the middle...more
Sep 25, 2008
Dawn
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people in pain willing to make a big change
As a friend put it, "he's a real radical." And yes, Paul Pitchford is very extreme in his assessments and directives. No sweets, no dairy or meat, except for the super-debilitated. It can be hard to figure out where you fit into all the information, but, after 2 years of poring over this tome, I find myself mentally referring to it with frequency, as well as looking to it often for recipes and advice. Also, importantly, it is no substitute for (competent) professional guidance, except maybe in v...more
Dec 19, 2012
S'hi
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
alternative health practitioners, chinese medicine, nutritionists, kinesiologists
An absolute wealth of information, experience and understanding, Healing With Whole Foods is offered as a reference volume for practitioners in a variety of fields dealing with both energetic and physical patterns of health in their clients. I personally came across the volume in support of my studies in holistic kinesiology and Chinese medicine, and found it particularly useful for the combinations of symptoms presenting outside the understanding of traditional western medicine.
One of the disco...more
One of the disco...more
What an insight into Asian food! Anyone who believes in good diet, psyche and spirit this book is for them. It outlines the warning signs of illnesses and makes clear recommendations about foods and herbs that can be used in order not to worsen the illness. I haven't practiced any of the recipes, generally eat right anyway, but a couple of people who have read the book and practiced have actually recovered from their ailment, and some even from very severe conditions. I can, of course believe, o...more
"Convenient" would be the word I'd use to describe this book. And that's really what it is: any time I need to refer to something on nutrition, I look it up in this book.
The Internet is extremely easy to use for research purposes. Many times I'll use Healing with Whole Foods as a "jumping pad," by reading through what Pitchford said about the topic, then using the terminology I pick up from the book to do further research online.
An example would be hypoglycemia. I'll read notes from this book...more
The Internet is extremely easy to use for research purposes. Many times I'll use Healing with Whole Foods as a "jumping pad," by reading through what Pitchford said about the topic, then using the terminology I pick up from the book to do further research online.
An example would be hypoglycemia. I'll read notes from this book...more
always reading this book. just a great resource on nutrition, definitely for those interested in chinese/asian nutrition theory and health. for most asians, especially in ayurvedic thought, the gut is the source of all the bodies ailments and this book speaks to that. he talks about foods that most people don't eat, sea vegetables, dark greens, grains like millet and amaranth. it has helped me to learn and incoporate a lot of foods i wasn't raised with into my eating.
This was one of my textbooks in grad school and I thoroughly enjoy it. It is full of information that is sure to change your eating habits for the better. It lists different conditions and ways to eat to heal your body. It has a great section on calcium, magnesium, and brown rice that I think is invaluable. If you are concerned about what you eat and how to live healthier then you need to check out this book.
Essentially a vegan adjustment of traditional Chinese medicine, this is a fucking tome (and I haven't read all of it). Nonetheless, it has the scent of total authority. More of a life-long reference than anything else, it is pretty great if you are interested in significantly changing your diet and balancing your constitution. Recipes, self-diagnostic stuff, theory, history, etc. Immense.
Jan 16, 2008
Jenalyn
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jenalyn by:
My Acupuncturist
Shelves:
reference-nutrition
Asian healing can be at best confusing. However in what little research I have done they are spot on about many things, especially the links between personality and constitution. I reference this book almost once a day. Especially when trying to figure out how to pair food. Should I drink water with this meal? Should I serve this hot or cold for the best nutiritional intake?
This is almost a daily read for me. Highly recommend to anyone looking to improve their diet to combat an illness or to improve the quality of their life in general. This might be the best guide to whole foods I've ever owned...and I have quite a few. This one ain't collecting dust on my bookshelf. WE ARE WHAT WE EAT!
Mar 08, 2009
Lisa Kekaula
is currently reading it
I will never be finished with this book. It is a manual for understanding your personal relationship to food and your body. I go to it often
Paul Pitchfords book is a very dense resource. Don't be intimidated by its size. It would take the better part of a life time to master what's in here. What I love about this book is that it is NOT about a diet style or fad. Instead, this book simply (and in great detail) explains how foods react in our bodies, what nutrients are in certain foods and how certain constitutions do better or worse with certain foods. In this book you learn about foods and how they work in the body, then you make yo...more
This book changed my life. It explains how eating the right foods can heal what ails you, and it explains it in a way that makes total sense. I first read this book in 1995, and i conti ue to use it as a reference to this day.
This is a daunting book filled with enough information to last you a lifetime. It needs a "quick start guide" or something at the beginning that gives a very useable understanding of how to use the book. The tone of the book is dry and heavy, which makes it less accessible than it needs to be. It does have some fascinating information. I found the section on Enjoying Food to be very interesting and helpful, although it didn't seem to be much about actually enjoying food. :-)
The author sets down...more
The author sets down...more
This is the ultimate reference in nutrition, diet, and health. This will give you the knowledge you need to diagnose and treat your many deficiencies and excesses with a whole food diet.
Jan 11, 2010
Sarah Bacon
marked it as to-read
This is THE authoritative tome on whole foods coupled with Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It is information-dense reference material, while still being highly readable. Yes it is on my nightstand.
It is information-dense reference material, while still being highly readable. Yes it is on my nightstand.
I haven't read this one cover to cover but it's great reference book. It's centered around eastern medicine and creating balance with what your eat. I'm working on my yin at the moment.
I wish he would update it. This came out 5 years ago. A lot has been found out since then. I'm amazed this book is still in one piece. The bible of health, I'm always referencing this book.
this book is unbelievable any quiestion you have can be answered and change your life empower you to realize that you can heal any ailment you just gotta learn how and take action
One of my favorite books of all time. Very informative and great to reference when changing diet or looking to alternative ways to stay healthy.
Still my go-to for so many reasons. I got this book years ago, and I still consult it on a regular basis.
The most useful book I've owned - I don't go a day without referencing it.
Back in the day, late teens, learned of this from a b/f in Berkeley. Back in l'il Carson City,NV, picked it up for $30 at the local health food store. It has been an early morning bible ever since. I consult it for recipes, at the start of a season to see what's best, or to look up specialties like spirulina or spelt or vitamin A... it is deep and tomeish and also very useable! Extensively drawn and sketched on and utilized by me.
This is my bible. It reads like an encyclopedia and addresses almost every illness, disease, and ailment we might have. Showing signs of inflammation? Look up ways to reduce through whole foods. Having trouble sleeping? Look up ways to sooth and comfort through whole foods. Everything from your everyday aches to your long term maladies, you can find a way to reduce and even cure the pains. Highly recommended read.
I actually have MANY copies of this book its probably one of my best go to resources. I use it all the time to help with all kinds of issues. Recipes are amazing, the descriptions of what each food does for your body is so helpful. I love the way it is organized, and written from the TCM point of view. It makes such logical sense to me. LOVE IT
THE source for nutritional healing. It uses Chinese medicine diagnosis descriptions to evaluate health and explains the technique as well as describing properties of different foods and what they will treat. Also , I have some illustrations in this book, but even if I didn't , I would still think this is the best reference.
Jan 30, 2013
Lorri
is currently reading it
I'm a foodie and also a holistic and natural medicines person. I've wanted to read this book for a long time and finally, just recently purchased it. So much great information and knowledge in this book that anyone who is interested in these topics will keep on their shelves for easy access forever.
I did not add a date finished because although I read all 600+ pages (including the footnotes), I will never be finished with this book. The wisdom- nutritional and spiritual, is remarkable. One could spend a lifetime just studying, applying, and pondering the information this book holds.
I don't know HOW I managed to not read this after working at Whole Foods for 15 years...just read it this week and loved it. Marries a TCM approach to Western herbs/supplements and a plant-based diet focus...there's something for everyone in here no matter what your holistic persuasion.
This my favorite reference for nutrition and food-as-medicine questions, but I also found it compelling enough to read all 750 pages a few years ago. I've never been excited enough by the recipes in the back to try many, but otherwise this is an excellent and thorough book.
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Mar 17, 2009 07:06pm