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Trim Healthy Mama -- No More Fads!

Serene Allison,

Pearl Barrett,

Monique L. Campbell (Illustrator)

4.18 · Rating details · 1,497 ratings · 122 reviews

TRIM HEALTHY MAMA is more than a nutrition book, although you'll be armed with knowledge that will revolutionize your life. It is more than a recipe book, although you will find hundreds of quick and tasty recipes to satisfy your family and trim your waistline at the same time. Serene and Pearl coach you all the way through to freedom from food restriction and excess pound ...more

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Paperback, 642 pages

Published September 2012 by Prescott Publishing

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Dec 29, 2012 Susan Priolo rated it it was amazing

I’ll admit it. I was a little skeptical about the new book called Trim, Healthy Mama. I’ve been interested in health and nutrition for nearly as long as I’ve been homeschooling so I’ve seen and tried just about everything. Yes, even some real wacky stuff, all in the hope of better health and nutrition. I have counted calories, done Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Fit for Life, the Dukan Diet, Raw Foods, Hallelujah Acres, Nourishing Traditions, Paleo/Primal, Juicing, Green Smoothies and more. Just I’ll admit it. I was a little skeptical about the new book called Trim, Healthy Mama. I’ve been interested in health and nutrition for nearly as long as I’ve been homeschooling so I’ve seen and tried just about everything. Yes, even some real wacky stuff, all in the hope of better health and nutrition. I have counted calories, done Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Fit for Life, the Dukan Diet, Raw Foods, Hallelujah Acres, Nourishing Traditions, Paleo/Primal, Juicing, Green Smoothies and more. Just ask my family. I’m often the fodder for their, affectionate, jokes. They have, jokingly, referred to one of my raw food cookie attempts as “Doggy Doo Cookies“.(No further description needed, I’m sure) When trying out new foods, they eye it suspiciously and ask, “Does it have Spirulina in it?” with much eye rolling and gagging.

I believe that a lot of these diets (eating plans) have something of benefit. I’ve learned something from each and every one of them! But they simply are not a lifestyle plan for the whole family. If they aren’t a plan that the family can do, then it’s a big, fat fail in our house. I have tried and failed more times than I care to remember.

THM is written by sisters, Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett. Both women are wives and mothers of large families. Serene is no longer a raw food purist and Pearl is a gal after my own heart – she desires health and nutrition but she also likes her shortcuts, like the microwave! Throughout the book, there is a lot of friendly, sibling bantering which is the perfect setting for me. The authors sister-in-law has done a few cartoonish illustrations and they add to the fun and understanding of the plan. This book is a nutrition book that includes hundreds of recipes. This book is not just about weight loss but it is about health! Food, exercise, hormonal balancing, marriage intimacy tips, stabilizing blood glucose levels and more are included in this conversational style book.

The book is a 640 page soft cover. It has an introduction where the husbands of both women write in and share from their perspective. This really appealed to the skeptical part of my brain.

Part One introduces a few different type of hypothetical women, from Drive Thru Sue to Farm Fresh Tess.
Part Two explains the whole plan, including the lists of plan approved foods and foundational foods.
Part Three is all the recipes. And let me tell you, the ones I’ve tried so far are pretty good! Even my husband said he’d eat and drink them again!
Part Four is a chapter that I loved. It is where both Serene and Pearl share their food/health journey. They have different pasts and perspectives but I found it very beneficial to hear Serene’s story of how and why she stopped being a raw foodist.
Part Five contains a few chapters on a range of topics from exercise, hormones, marital intimacy and more.

The authors are Christian and naturally they write from this perspective but it is not preachy and I do believe that most non Christians would not have an issue with reading and learning from the book.

I recommend this book to anyone who desires health and better nutrition but often gets confused by all the opposing research and information that is available. It is quite achievable with a large family and with babies and toddlers. If you have looked at Paleo or Primal Diets or learned about Nourishing Traditions but didn’t find it easy to incorporate into your lifestyle then this could be the book for you! If you want to feed your family real food yet not deprive them of goodies, then run and get this book. ...more

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Dec 25, 2017 Kamryn Koble rated it really liked it

This book is a wild ride. Even wilder than the Facebook group created for the diet. Ehem, lifestyle.

It's impossible to talk about Trim Healthy Mama without mentioning the entire franchise, or without taking a more personal approach when it comes to reviewing it. Particularly while I am still a newbie/outsider.

First of all, for those who are delving in the THM world, prepare yourself. There's acronyms. There's lingo. It's a self-proclaimed cult. There are dozens of strange things you'll have to o This book is a wild ride. Even wilder than the Facebook group created for the diet. Ehem, lifestyle.

It's impossible to talk about Trim Healthy Mama without mentioning the entire franchise, or without taking a more personal approach when it comes to reviewing it. Particularly while I am still a newbie/outsider.

First of all, for those who are delving in the THM world, prepare yourself. There's acronyms. There's lingo. It's a self-proclaimed cult. There are dozens of strange things you'll have to order on Amazon even though everyone will assure you that you don't HAVE to use them, they're just in every single recipe. There's the podcast called the "poddy." There's special ingredients created by the sisters that everyone will, again, claim that you don't need, but you will end up buying them. Because they're in everything.

Let's walk through my health journey briefly, so you can hopefully understand why I signed up for all that's above. I'm a senior now, and the last time I was truly skinny was seventh grade (I say this because it was the last time I wore shorts and tank tops without thought. I was also a competitive cheerleader). I've done an elimination diet that made me go crazy with the restrictions and side effects, let alone eating 500 calories a day despite three large meals. I dated a vegan which only made me more opposed to that and all it entails, as I refuse to be bullied or grossed out into trying a diet change. I researched the keto diet, but was terrified by such rapid weight loss, restrictive eating, organ failure, commitment to never eating normally again, and anything that banned any fruits and vegetables. I fell in love with exercise classes where I burned 850 calories a session, and I went five times a week. I learned to drink water. Still, I gained weight.

Enter, Trim Healthy Mama. Yes, I am a seventeen-year-old doing a diet for mothers. I try not to cringe whenever I say this out loud.

But then again, this is nearly perfect. I still live with my parents, even if it's only for a few more months, and I can't be cooking three separate meals for myself seven days a week let alone separate grocery shopping. The ladies in THM highly stress how to handle this lifestyle while being a harmonious member of a family. I also love that they don't cut out complete food groups. In addition to this, they walk you through what to do for initial weight loss, when you plateau, when you're nearing the end, and when you're maintaining. I won't waste my time trying to explain their dietary philosophies, but just know that you'll be eating whole foods, you will read every nutritional label for added sugar (you will curse anyone who cans vegetables or pasta sauce), you will have to meal plan, and it will be a complete lifestyle change. I went grocery shopping today and felt like I had been through a war, and was embarrassed for every other time I went shopping and thought I was being healthy.

The sisters bicker a lot. They just do. They have different philosophies that clash with the other's. But what they both have in common is a desire for you to find true health and satisfaction in your life, and to not deprive yourself in your journey. The transformations that I see multiple times every day (even - especially - the non-scale victories) speak volumes of this. Pearl herself often comments on posts as well, which I respect from a woman who certainly doesn't have to engage with us.

For those who are considering this, please do yourself a favor and do the research first. Read the book, thoroughly. Sort the recipes in a recipe app or binder. Make the list of weird ingredients that pop up the most in the recipes that interest you. Browse the Facebook group, search your questions and ask (you will get helpful, sweet answers in a matter of seconds). Wrap your head around the terminology before diving in, or you will feel overwhelmed and panicked. What makes this diet special is the complete comradery that all the THM ladies have for one another. It truly is a cult in the best sense of the word.

So after a month of research and one day of half eating on plan (thanks, hosting New Year's), this is my review as an outsider. It is complicated. But you will find support, and if you work hard, there is no doubt in my mind that you will find success. Even while eating (on plan) chocolate cake. ...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Lynnae McCoy rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Anyone looking to improve their health.

This was an excellent book, covering not only healthy eating, but exercise, supplements, a healthy (married) sex life and more. At over 600 pages long, Trim Healthy Mama covers a lot of ground and backs up their plan with solid research. The basic premise is that you should eat a carb-conscious diet and never mix both high carbs and high fat in a single meal.

The authors, sisters, are Christians, and though the book is written from a Christian perspective, it is not overly preachy.

I'm skeptical a ...more

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May 25, 2014 Katie rated it it was ok

Shelves: food, cookbooks

I should have known what to expect going in to this. Two women, no credentials, writing a book that is really just a weight loss book. They may try to hide that under the guise of healthy eating, but it is really just a weight loss book. Similar to the Hungry Girl with lots of fakeish foods and low fat/carb stuff. Recipes are broken down into categories-e, s, fuel pull, etc. I honestly couldn't tell you what they mean though because it was too complex (boring?) for me to bother caring about. The ...more

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Jul 15, 2013 Kathleen Johnson rated it did not like it

Shelves: non-fiction, health

The cover claims, "No More Fads!", but that's exactly what this is. It's low carb/low sugar and lots of fake substitutes. Poorly organized. ...more

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Aug 19, 2015 Steve Hemmeke rated it liked it · review of another edition

I avoid nutrition books like the plague.
I also almost never review a book unless I've read the whole thing.
But I couldn't resist on this one.
I only lightly read two chapters, and I was pleasantly surprised. Fitting with common sense and basic medical facts (my wife assures me), the authors are also quite well grounded biblically. Here are two examples:

“Daniel turned down the king’s meat because it was not killed according to God’s laws and was also offered to idols. This is why Daniel stated tha ...more

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May 05, 2014 Amber G. rated it it was ok

My cousin-in-law found a lot of help from this book, in learning healthy eating habits, and losing weight. I chose to check it out from the library to peruse it. I can see how this could help people who really are beginners in figuring out how to combine foods for weight loss, and how to eat healthier in general.

But, the majority of the book seemed like fluff, and ridiculous banter between sisters. It's a hefty book when I found maybe one or two chapters actually helpful. Nothing in this book wa ...more

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Mar 08, 2013 M rated it it was amazing

I've almost finished reading this hefty tome, and as soon as I finish I want to start right back at the beginning and read it over again -- in the copy that I bought for myself after reading halfway through my borrowed copy. A true lifestyle-changer, even for Nutrition Nerd me. And the recipes are absolutely amazing. ...more

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Feb 11, 2015 Anna Marie rated it did not like it

1. Written by two completely unqualified 'christian pop star' sisters, all about putting their faces out there.

2. They say this is not a fad, but there were 120 holds on 35 copies in our library system. Fad, much? It was confirmed further for me when I cracked the cover. It's all catch-phrases and a bunch of little self-invented key words that were miserable to try to keep track of.

3. Ugly, horrible sketches of these two women with snide captions throughout the book. Whoever their artist is shou 1. Written by two completely unqualified 'christian pop star' sisters, all about putting their faces out there.

2. They say this is not a fad, but there were 120 holds on 35 copies in our library system. Fad, much? It was confirmed further for me when I cracked the cover. It's all catch-phrases and a bunch of little self-invented key words that were miserable to try to keep track of.

3. Ugly, horrible sketches of these two women with snide captions throughout the book. Whoever their artist is should be shot.

4. Scared to be honest about scripture. I wondered what they'd do with the clean/unclean foods, and they totally chickened out and wouldn't stand behind the Word. Figures.

5. This book is thicker than my Bible. What. A. Slog. And redundant and irritating - you weren't getting new information, you were getting a long-winded load of the same. And the little cat fights between the sisters in their little personal note sections were pointless.

6. They start out great: The Bible says Milk and Honey! It says cook the lamb, feed with fish and bread! It talks about the oil and wine! But then when we got past the Biblical references, they started immediately with "You can't have milk - it's fattening!! You can't have honey - it's okay for medicinal use, but it's fattening!!" You have to use STEVIA!!! ((Funny, never saw THAT in my Bible.)) So... are we doing the Bible thing, or not? Can we make up our minds, please?

7. There is NO way on earth I could afford the 'alternative' foods that they proposed in this book. They weren't available in Biblical Israel, and they wouldn't have been able to afford them if they had, hello.

8. The recipes would lock me in the kitchen for the ENTIRETY of my life. Breakfast suggestions included things that had to bake for an HOUR before you could eat them. Really? You think we have that kind of time? Sure, they say the stuff 'cooks up in minutes'. They don't tell you it's SIXTY minutes.

9. I read 'Forever Fit' by Cher years ago. It says fat goes straight to your fat stores, and carbs/sugars get used as energy, and leftovers turn to fat stores. So the claim was to eliminate the fat that turned directly to fat. That made sense. But these gals say the same thing about fat and carbs/sugars, but expect you to somehow shuffle between all carb meals and all fat meals, so that there's some indiscernable balance that you're supposed to somehow instinctively find... it was a MESS.

I hated this book. They're like the Dave Ramseys of weight loss - cashing in on the gullible chrischun crowd, makin' a buck in the name o'Gawd. Avoid this like the plague. ...more

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May 14, 2013 Alisa rated it it was amazing

I will probably update this review several times: I originally bought the .pdf of this book so I could start reading it sooner and because it was cheaper! Then I found that I really wanted a hard copy of the book... especially so I could bookmark recipes and keep it in my kitchen! I know this book is expensive, but I think it is worth every penny I paid (for both the .pdf version and the hard copy combined!)!

Over the past couple of weeks I have incorporated some of the things they have taught: w ...more

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May 02, 2014 Sweetp-1 rated it liked it

I am following this eating plan which is basically no sugar or refined carbs. There is much more to it than that but thats the basic guts of it. The book includes some research, some background about the authors and explanation of how the diet works. I liked it wasnt just "eat this" but covered more about the whys/hows as well. Though in saying that I would have liked a little more scientific input - sometimes I felt like the research side of things was more anecdotal than actual science.

As far ...more

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Sep 17, 2014 Leah rated it it was amazing

Trim Healthy Mama is so much more than just another low-glycemic meal plan. And this book does not set an ideal lifestyle or size to squeeze into.

When on this plan, you don't necessarily eat less, and you don't cut out any macronutrients/food groups (fat, carbs & protein). You learn to rearrange the three food groups in a way that is kind to your health, mind, energy, blood sugar levels, taste buds and waistline.

I am very impressed by the flexibility in this plan. Written by two very diverse sis ...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Blossom rated it really liked it

FINALLY finished the entire book! This book is amazing. The one thing I didn't really like and then more that I did: the recipes don't always have measurements, or aren't quite right. Otherwise, this book has a ton of great information that makes sense. It is written in a fun way that makes it interesting. Following the advice in the book might be a challenge at the start but once the concept is understood, it's a lifestyle change. I fully intend to re-read this more than once. ...more

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Mar 19, 2016 Diana rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2016, cookbooks-read

I borrowed this book from the library because some friends recommended some of the recipes, mostly the freezer meals and the crock pot meals. I won't follow the diet that's in the book it doesn't really interest me, but I did find quite a few recipes that I'd like to try out and add to my rotating weekly menu. ...more

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Apr 26, 2013 Marian Alvarado rated it really liked it

Shelves: inspirational, informative

I'm so thankful a friend told me about this book. This book is life-changing! I am eating healthy, losing weight, and I've lost so many of my cravings. This plan is something I can stay with for life. Can you tell I'm excited about it?!! ...more

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Sep 23, 2013 Trish rated it really liked it

Shelves: improving-myself

Really great book to help you understand what to eat AND WHY. There's a lot of information floating around on this program now via FB groups, blog posts and pinterest, but the book is still necessary to really help you understand the basics. Lots of recipes, too, to help you get started on your new life of managing carbs and blood sugar spikes to really get your metabolism humming... There is also brief information on a number of "lifestyle" issues, including men's health, exercising, sex life, ...more

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Mar 24, 2018 Siobhain rated it really liked it

Shelves: health-physical-emotional

I hated the idea of this eating style until I tried it. Then I lost 13 fabulous pounds. However, I got a bad cholesterol report and went on a vacation where it was not possible to eat THM food and haven't ever gone back 100%. I would love to know what adaptations others with cholesterol issues have made to the THM eating plan. I hope to get back to a modified THM eating plan some day, but have not gotten sufficiently motivated yet. Some of the recipes are fabulous and some were not so good to me ...more

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Jun 11, 2015 Selah Bell rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: christian, non-fiction

This book is not a diet - it is a lifestyle change, explaining the science behind nutrition in a simple and easy to understand manner. I don't necessarily agree with some of the foods and ingredients they recommend, but I LOVE how they explain how to balance carbs, proteins and fats. I wouldn't use this book as a full meal plan, but I love how you can take the principles they explain and create your own plan - you can be flexible and creative yourself, and I really like that. Anyway, I'd recomme ...more

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Feb 01, 2015 Catherine Gillespie rated it liked it

Shelves: fitness, nutrition

I’ve read a lot of books on nutrition and diet, and I think the idea of carb cycling is sound, but it’s REALLY tough to implement. I don’t mean that in a “it’s hard to follow a diet” way. I tend to be more of an abstainer than a moderator, so I find it stressful to try to remember when I ate which nutrient. It’s a lot easier for me to just have a couple of hard and fast rules and stick with them. That said, if you’re a moderator, this approach could be great for you.

{Read my full review here} ...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Jenny Carr rated it really liked it

Quite thorough, and a common sense approach to healthy living. I wouldn't go as far as Serene, and Pearl on sweetners, and constantly limiting carbs, but the message was clear; to lose weight is to never combine fats with carbs, always build meals around protein, and exercise, including intense, and resistance training.
I have gained a lot from it, and am losing on body fat just one week in. ...more

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Jun 02, 2013 Renee rated it liked it

Shelves: cookbook-recipes, health

A good new approach to eating a healthy diet. Overall, really good explanations, concepts, and health advice. Good low-carb recipes too. Unfortunately, the book is too huge, the recipes are right in the middle and it's a bit complicated and unwieldy. I'm glad I read it and will continue to follow many of the concepts and use some of the recipes. ...more

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Jul 27, 2014 Alexa Price rated it it was amazing

Everyone should read this book!!

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May 11, 2017 Avie rated it it was ok

The ladies have a good sense of humor throughout and are very thorough with their explanations of things. The recipes are interesting and there a nice large collection of them to get you going on their plan. But, I found the recipes' lack of measurements off-putting though. You are left to guess how much of each ingredient to add. As an avid baker having precise measurements can make or break a recipe so this really bothered me. ...more

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Dec 31, 2017 Heather Richmond rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I am a THM for life! This way of eating makes so much sense and (sad to say) with no exercise our excess weight has slipped right off. This year I'll get out and get moving! I am happy in my skin and my clothes, we look and feel great! Everyone should understand the science behind eating this way!! So thankful for Pearl and Serene!!! ...more

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Jan 05, 2020 Chelle marked it as abandoned

Shelves: 2019-abandoned, non-fiction

Followers and lovers of this book/diet, don't read any further....

I remember these ladies from years back when they were living the lifestyle of raising, eating, and, promoting, a 'raw food' diet. I was interested to see what they were into now .... to me it reads as a fad diet with lots of 'create the taste' substitutes. I won't rate it as I started flick reading partway through. ...more

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Jun 16, 2017 Linda Manley rated it it was amazing

I love the Trim Healthy Sisters. The information within this book can and has changed my life. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to eat a healthy lifestyle. The foods are so good! This is a lifestyle change not a diet.

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Oct 24, 2017 Aubrey Davis rated it really liked it

Great stuff. Love the explanations. Would buy

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Dec 21, 2018 April Taylor rated it really liked it

So many of these recipes are my favorites!

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Jun 04, 2020 Kim Bowen rated it really liked it

Lots of rules to remember.

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Sep 30, 2020 MICHELLE rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Great healthy eating tips and lots of good recipes.

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About Serene Allison

Serene Allison

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Two sisters, Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett, are self -published and owners of their own publishing company. They are best selling authors for health & wellness, former Christian recording artists, mothers & entrepreneurs.