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How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease

Michael Greger (Goodreads Author),

Gene Stone (Goodreads Author)

4.48 · Rating details · 25,263 ratings · 2,629 reviews

From the physician behind the wildly popular website NutritionFacts.org, How Not to Die reveals the groundbreaking scientific evidence behind the only diet that can prevent and reverse many of the causes of disease-related death.

The vast majority of premature deaths can be prevented through simple changes in diet and lifestyle. In How Not to Die, Dr. Michael Greger, the in From the physician behind the wildly popular website NutritionFacts.org, How Not to Die reveals the groundbreaking scientific evidence behind the only diet that can prevent and reverse many of the causes of disease-related death.

The vast majority of premature deaths can be prevented through simple changes in diet and lifestyle. In How Not to Die, Dr. Michael Greger, the internationally-renowned nutrition expert, physician, and founder of NutritionFacts.org, examines the fifteen top causes of premature death in America -- heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson's, high blood pressure, and more -- and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes trump prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches, freeing us to live healthier lives.

The simple truth is that most doctors are good at treating acute illnesses but bad at preventing chronic disease. The fifteen leading causes of death claim the lives of 1.6 million Americans annually. This doesn't have to be the case. By following Dr. Greger's advice, all of it backed up by strong scientific evidence, you will learn which foods to eat and which lifestyle changes to make to live longer.

History of prostate cancer in your family? Put down that glass of milk and add flaxseed to your diet whenever you can. Have high blood pressure? Hibiscus tea can work better than a leading hypertensive drug-and without the side effects. Fighting off liver disease? Drinking coffee can reduce liver inflammation. Battling breast cancer? Consuming soy is associated with prolonged survival. Worried about heart disease (the number 1 killer in the United States)? Switch to a whole-food, plant-based diet, which has been repeatedly shown not just to prevent the disease but often stop it in its tracks.

In addition to showing what to eat to help treat the top fifteen causes of death, How Not to Die includes Dr. Greger's Daily Dozen -- a checklist of the twelve foods we should consume every day. Full of practical, actionable advice and surprising, cutting edge nutritional science, these doctor's orders are just what we need to live longer, healthier lives. ...more

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Hardcover, 576 pages

Published December 8th 2015 by Flatiron Books

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Lists with This Book

Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr.

Plant-Based Diet

119 books — 153 voters

The 2 Week Diet Plan by Brian Flatt by Brian Flatt

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A Nutrition Reading List

310 books — 389 voters

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Feb 12, 2017 David rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nutrition, nonfiction, health, medicine

This is an amazing book. I am completely blown over by it. Let me explain.

This book is divided into three main parts. In the first part, there are 15 chapters, one for each of the major afflictions that cause people to die. In each of the chapters, Dr. Greger explains the disease or affliction, and then describes the foods that have been found to reduce the risk, prevent, reverse, or cure the disease.

The second part of the book devotes chapters to a number of healthy food groups. Dr. Greger expl ...more

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Aug 14, 2018 Sean Barrs rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star-reads, veganism-and-vegetarianism, non-fiction, nature-ecology-enviroment

If you listen to but one book recommendation I give, then listen to this one: it could save your life.

I’m a vegan, it’s only natural that I would have a bias opinion towards books that promote a healthy vegan lifestyle and I can openly admit that. However, this book was not written by a vegan or vegetarian: it was written by a medical professional who has spent his life researching the benefits of a plant-based diet. And there are many, believe me.

And his story is an interesting one, drive ...more

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Jan 25, 2020 Mario the lone bookwolf rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 0-mental-strength, greger-michael

It´s tragic funny that humans are unable to associate the things they eat with the fatal problems the consumption causes up and down the whole spectrum, from immediate, small damage that accumulates over years to terminal illnesses. I´ve been one of those until realization and insight kicked in and I did a 180 to a kind of extreme permanent clean eating, natural, organic, no sugar, fat, etc. lifestyle.

Certain foods are no nourishments, they are drugs and the similarities are evident. A short hig ...more

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Mar 24, 2018 Yevgeniy Brikman rated it liked it

This book has me torn. It contains so much good... and yet, it has so many problems. It's an important read for everyone... but also misleading. Overall, I learned a lot from it... but also ended up more confused than ever.

Let me break it down.

The good:

* The general recommendation is spot on. Just about everyone should eat more veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains and less processed foods and animal products. This isn't exactly a controversial claim. For the most part, this book does a ...more

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Dec 20, 2015 Marcel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: health-nutrition

This is the most comprehensive book on health and nutrition that I've read. Written in a way that's easy to understand for those new to the subject, but also substantive enough that those very familiar with health and nutrition will learn a great deal of new information. If you're still eating the standard American diet, or if you've been mislead by one of the many fad diets out there (or food industry obfuscation), read this book to learn how to eat healthy, avoid disease, feel your best, and m ...more

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Feb 07, 2016 Shaun rated it it was amazing

Shelves: health-coaching, read-2016, non-fiction

I'm going to start off this review by qualifying the perspective from which I read the book.

I have a longstanding passion in all things health and fitness that started at the age of 10, when as a chunky child, I decided I wanted to be healthy.

Joining my first gym at 13, it wasn't long until I started teaching group fitness. A Bachelors in Nutritional Sciences seemed like the next logical step. But it didn't end there. While continuing to branch out by teaching every mode of group fitness I could I'm going to start off this review by qualifying the perspective from which I read the book.

I have a longstanding passion in all things health and fitness that started at the age of 10, when as a chunky child, I decided I wanted to be healthy.

Joining my first gym at 13, it wasn't long until I started teaching group fitness. A Bachelors in Nutritional Sciences seemed like the next logical step. But it didn't end there. While continuing to branch out by teaching every mode of group fitness I could find, I pursued and obtained a Professional Master in Physical Therapy. Since then I have completed over a half-dozen fitness certifications, taught every fitness class you can imagine, counseled tons of patients and clients, and earned hundreds if not approaching a thousand hours of professional continuing education that include anything from the therapeutic applications of yoga to vegan nutrition to the strengths and pitfalls of alternative medicine. I also teach a personal training certification course through our local community college and am currently pursuing an advanced certificate in sports nutrition. Most importantly I walk the walk. I exercise daily, eat clean, and continue to seek out knowledge with an open mind, always ready to adjust my views. I read, I study, I teach, I practice, I preach...I breath fitness and nutrition on a regular basis.

This being the case, I am always reluctant to read a nutrition book written by a MD, or better yet, a journalist who decides he's going to reveal the true secret to eating healthy. But How Not to Die was written by Dr. Michael Greger, who also happens to be the founder of a site that I have been following for a couple years-it's called nutritionfacts.org. Impressed by the site mainly because it generally offers a balanced message that uses research rather than emotion to support its message, I was interested in reading his book.

If I could recommend one book on nutrition, I seriously think this might be it, and here's why:

1. The book is basically about empowering people to take control of their health. The ole "Let Food Be Thy Medicine" philosophy. Dr. Greger does a decent job of acknowledging both the strengths and weakness of our current approach to disease. He makes a strong argument against prescribing drugs for lifestyle related diseases, at least as a first line of defense. Most importantly, he tries to use science as a basis for his views. His main emphasis is on eating more plant-based foods, particularly fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices...etc, while limiting quality (or whole) animal products, and avoiding processed or low quality animal products all together.

2. The book provides a comprehensive review of the scientific literature. I subscribe to several journals, but never have I seen so many studies put into a useful context. That said, his own biases toward a vegan (or animal-free diet) are hard to miss. Still, it's a pretty amazing feat, biases aside. And though I might feel he was a little hard on animal products (all animal products) as a group, I do think he makes some valid points about the food industry and their ability to influence policy and suppress research that doesn't jive with their bottom line. I wished he would have taken more time to make a distinction between different quality animal sources. I mean, there is a big difference between the venison I use in my favorite black bean chili and the industrially farm raised, often abused, overly medicated animals (anti-biotics) that provide meat at most local grocery store chains, or worse, our local fast food joint.

3. If he seems a little "radical" in the first half of the book, he makes up for it in part two, where he puts the "perfect" diet into context, by first acknowledging there is no one perfect diet. Foods aren't necessarily good or bad, though some are better for you than others. His recommendations are not only consistent with everything I've learned over years, they're reasonable and thus doable.

From organic vs non-organic, to gluten-free vs. non-gluten-free, to use supplements or not to use supplements, GMO vs. GMO-free...he touches on so many hot-button topics, and his ideas really are very practical and level-headed.

As someone who has been following (and experimenting successfully) with nutrition for decades, I have watched so many fads come and go and have seen too many scientific studies taken out of context and used to promote some extreme eating philosophy. It's nice to read a book where both the science and art of nutrition receive equal time.

I'm not a vegan, though I don't eat much meat. That said, I believe quality animal products can have a place in a healthy diet. However, I don't think there is anyone who can argue against the benefits of a plant-based diet. In fact, if you look at most popular diets, the one common thread is the emphasis on whole foods, but especially fruits and veggies. Ultimately, I think that is the message that Greger puts forward. Good stuff!

**A little interesting background. Greger started nutritionfacts.org with the support of two philanthropists. It is now a self-sustaining non-profit. The website and its content are free forever with no ads and no corporate sponsorships. He claims that sales from his DVDs go back to the site and proceeds from his books and speaking engagements go to charity. ...more

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Dec 14, 2015 John rated it did not like it

Shelves: stopped-reading

A book written by the man that tells us one egg a week can give you diabetes. His webpage nutritionfacts.org is interesting in that like his book and science this doctor has the answer and orders his facts along to meet with his preferred “answer”
Just a note to be wary if new to this man. Vegan facts are not facts as science views them. Vegan facts are religious like in their fervor promoting ONLY their cause. Everything the religion of veganism hates just happens to be “cancerous”. Funny that ...more

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Jun 07, 2016 Miles rated it it was amazing

In the wake of my heart attack, my cardiologist told me that I could reverse my atherosclerosis with diet and exercise, specifically a plant-based diet. She recommended Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's book "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease", which prescribes a very stringent diet, that not only forbids meat and dairy products, but also precludes all oils ("not a drop"), as well as nuts, and avocados. I didn't know if I could follow such a diet. Besides, it's a diet that he gave to people who had signi In the wake of my heart attack, my cardiologist told me that I could reverse my atherosclerosis with diet and exercise, specifically a plant-based diet. She recommended Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's book "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease", which prescribes a very stringent diet, that not only forbids meat and dairy products, but also precludes all oils ("not a drop"), as well as nuts, and avocados. I didn't know if I could follow such a diet. Besides, it's a diet that he gave to people who had significantly more advanced and severe coronary health issues than I did. So perhaps I didn't need to be on such a draconian regime.

Also, I wasn't entirely sold on the plant-based diet: before making such profound changes to my diet, I really wanted to see solid clinical evidence for it. I'd hate to give up BBQ ribs for nothing. And while Dr. Esselstyn reported striking results in his practice, it was an uncontrolled interventional study among a very small group of patients.

Finally, rather than being dictated a diet to follow (especially one that I didn't think I could keep to) I was looking for information about the costs and benefits of various foods so that I could make informed choices in order to create lifestyle changes that I could live with.

This was exactly what I found in "How Not to Die". It not only addresses my primary health concern, heart disease, but the other major health risks that most Americans face: diabetes, hypertension, a variety of common cancers (lung, colorectal, breast, prostate, leukemia), Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and even depression. And it covers what is known - based on the best research we have - about various foods that may be helpful or harmful with regard to them.

Dr. Greger assembles an impressive array of clinical evidence for the health claims he makes for particular foods to address particular diseases, but he manages to keep the material very readable and his style is conversational and personable. All of which means that it's possible to get through this book, benefit from the information, and enjoy the process.

The audiobook version is read by the author, who has a very quirky and winning narrative style: you can get an idea of it through any of a large number of videos at his web site: http://nutritionfacts.org . That site provides a mountain of information that expands and supplements this book. In fact, the book can be considered a collation and distillation of that web site, which provides much of the same information.

After listening to this book, the evidence for the health benefits of a plant-based diet is not only presented, but it's overwhelming. Even shocking.

While the audiobook is very listenable, you might prefer to get the print or electronic version. That makes it easier to dip in and out of particular sections that might be of specific interest to you. The book is divided into two parts: the first part describes the 15 top diseases which contribute to mortality… and you may not want to wade through all of them - which is harder to avoid in an audiobook, as entertaining as he makes it.

The second part consists of a review of different food groups, which Greger characterizes as his "Daily Dozen". He goes into their benefits and recommended portions. That section is useful as a reference, so having a text version may be desirable: I ended up getting one after listening to the book.

Ultimately, I did adopt a plant-based diet on the basis of the information presented in the book: a vegan and whole grain diet. And I still eat nuts (in fact, lots of 'em) and avocados. While I avoid certain oils, I allow others. You may make different choices based upon an understanding of the risks and benefits involved.

I highly recommend this book as an invaluable resource to anyone concerned about their health. For me it was literally life-changing. ...more

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Jul 27, 2020 Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audios, nonfiction

This book is one I have re-read and referenced time and time again. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I learned. I wish the title were different, but at the same time, it completely fits the contents. I have also listened to the audio narrated by Dr. Greger and love his passion for this topic.

Now to start walking the walk myself... and following this, again!

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Jan 16, 2020 Bharath rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is an important book and has a lot of information I wish I had come across earlier. Other than the fact that the book is based on evidence and has good nutrition advice, it is also brave – challenging the politics which prevents most people knowing the full facts. Also, much of the medical profession is focused on diagnosis and cure of diseases, with limited understanding of the role of nutrition.

The first and biggest section of the book deals with various serious ailments and how they can ...more

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Dec 31, 2015 Morgan Blackledge rated it it was amazing

This book is an unflinching, fearless journey to the dark heart of one of our cultures most contentious and taboo subjects.

Food.

It's not commonly recognized as such. But in my experience, if you want to instigate a fractious argument amongst an otherwise civil group, about a topic that is is absolutely mired in superstition, opaqued by endless layers of literally centuries worth of misinformation, and of which people hold highly defended, deeply emotional, bizarrely irrational and literally dea ...more

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Jul 03, 2017 Wanda rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2017, food-nutrition-cooking, public-library, non-fiction

Well this was a very interesting read! Since I have been contemplating changes to my diet, it arrived on hold for me at the public library at an opportune moment. I went shopping yesterday for esoteric items like hibiscus tea and ground flax seed and some less unusual items like more walnuts, fruit & vegetables.

I’m a believer in evidence and Dr. Greger provides boat-loads of that. Now my task is to test these ideas with myself as guinea pig and see if they actually work for me. I’ve been control ...more

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Jan 19, 2016 Janet rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book could be a life changer. God knows I've tried every diet known to man but becoming vegan never occurred to me. I always thought it was more of a lifestyle choice having to do with an affinity for animals rather than health based. Read this and your eyes will be opened to a lot of things. I've long known the dangers of processed foods but always believed that meat and dairy were good for me. I'm going to try eating this way for a couple of weeks and see how I feel. As soon as I finished ...more

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Dec 03, 2019 Heidi The Reader rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, diet-and-exercise

I think everybody is aware that your diet has an enormous impact on your health. This book is another reminder that this is true.

Though everyone will one day die, Michael Greger gives some tips to help you live as long and as healthily as possible.

I'm not going to debate the merits of different diets which seem to change as quickly as fads. I think everybody should try to incorporate healthy habits that are right for them as they are able. How Not to Die is packed with ideas on that front.

I thin ...more

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Jun 11, 2016 Rebecca Montemurro rated it it was amazing

This book changed my family's life. My husband and I read it while on holiday in Florida. Although not your typical beach read, we couldn't put it down! By the second chapter, we completely cut meat out of our diet (while on holiday!) and haven't looked back. I feel energized and inspired for change. The simple act of eliminating meat from your diet will reduce carbon emissions significantly, not to mention to health benefits. The most important impact for me is preventing animal cruelty. As a m ...more

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Aug 05, 2018 7jane rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommended to 7jane by: Diamond Cowboy

A great motivator to make me seriously consider vegetarian/vegan diet, this book. Thus five stars.

This book examines the top 15 causes of death (in US) in its first half, followed by food recommendations, a word on exercise, and an appendix on useful supplements. The point is to improve the quantity and the quality of one's life - everyone dies, but one should make the time before it better and longer. And perhaps need less visits to the doctor(s) and the hospital. Less medicine with possible si ...more

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Nov 05, 2015 Mary Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads-books

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. If you don't find something in this book to improve your life and health, then you are just not trying... A large and comprehensive catalog of healthful suggestions for changing your eating habits to enhance your life. Chapter by chapter approach to the main disease categories that affect our lives in modern America -- from heart disease to diabetes, digestive cancers to depression -- this book covers them all! Basically it is suggested that we need to al ...more

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Jan 23, 2016 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: you-should-read-these, favorites

This is the best, most comprehensive, and most reliably/extensively cited book on diet and health I have ever read. Rather than relying on just a few questionable studies the way most books on the topic do (often, I might add, while seemingly purposefully misinterpreting the data from said studies), Dr. Greger looks at the whole of nutrition studies published in English, explains typical and relevant ones thoroughly, and makes them understandable to anybody.

One great thing about this book is th This is the best, most comprehensive, and most reliably/extensively cited book on diet and health I have ever read. Rather than relying on just a few questionable studies the way most books on the topic do (often, I might add, while seemingly purposefully misinterpreting the data from said studies), Dr. Greger looks at the whole of nutrition studies published in English, explains typical and relevant ones thoroughly, and makes them understandable to anybody.

One great thing about this book is that it can give you hope. You and your family members don't need to spend a lot of money on drugs, worrying about health insurance at every turn. You don't need to die from heart disease, you don't need to suffer early onset dementia, you don't need to have a stroke and spend years trying to recover, you don't have to just sit back waiting to get cancer. This book will teach you that it's not true that everything gives you cancer. Fruit and veggies don't! And How Not to Die will tell you specifically which fruits or veggies have been clinically shown to specifically help to prevent or reverse which types of cancer.

Yes, it's a bit overwhelming at times. While reading the book, I often thought to myself, "Oh, I should write down which thing will prevent throat cancer, which will lower blood pressure (my only actual health concern at this point), which will reduce my chances of dementia" and so on. But then I calm down and I remember that as long as I continue to eat unprocessed plant-based food and lots of it, I will be fine. That said, I really do appreciate knowing which plants are particularly health-promoting.

I've been a berry fanatic ever since I learned about antioxidants in my very first nutrition class, and I notice that Dr. Greger says to eat berries every day. Also in health class, I learned about beans helping reduce insulin resistance and Dr. Greger confirms it. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that I am studying nutrition in college with the intent to become a registered dietitian, and How Not to Die is the only book on nutrition I have ever read that doesn't have any information in it that is counter to what I've learned in those classes as being health promoting. It's also the only one that passes the test of reliability in its thoroughness of citing sources WITHIN the text, talking about both the good things and bad things about a particular study. Other books seem to treat any study that agrees with their central point as perfect. But Greger will outright say, "This study only looked at the cells in a petri dish to see if it will fight cancer" or "This study was only done on a dozen people," but, he'll add, since the study is suggesting you eat a veggie, fruit, legume, or whole grain, what's the harm of trying it anyway? It's not like it's suggesting you take a drug that's only been tested in a petri dish. It's suggesting you eat broccoli.

I learned a lot from this book and I think it could save a lot of people's lives. I want to send it to my parents, my aunts and uncles, give it to strangers on the train. I want to hang its green light foods on my fridge, I want to watch videos on nutritionfact.org, I want to see Dr. Greger debate with paleo nutcases. We could solve so many problems by changing our diets, and I'm happy to be one person living as an example of how not to die. ...more

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Dec 31, 2015 Marjan rated it liked it

This is a problematic book. I support the cause and the motivation, but a lot of it is simply misleading. The general tone of "how not to die" has so much western dualistic bias which supposes we are constantly at war with something (disease, war, cancer, death, obesity, you name it) while these things are equally part of life as their opposites. We all have to die eventually, but please, not in denial.
The second objective is the style, which is not only highly reductive (read Whole by Colin Cam ...more

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Dec 16, 2015 Paula rated it it was amazing

Dr. Greger works tirelessly, with his team, to scour the nutrition based medical literature published throughout the year..."so you don't have to." Then he compiles these findings into informative videos that he makes available for free on NutritionFacts.org. This book is based on the facts that he and his team have uncovered over the several years that they have been canvasing the latest nutrition science. He has compiled it in an easy to read, and often humorous format. All of the money that D ...more

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Sep 21, 2016 Erica marked it as couldnt-finish · review of another edition

Shelves: meh, health, non-fiction, terribly-disappointing, audiobook, self-help, food, it-came-recommended

Seriously, this is BS.
Ok, it’s not. He’s not wrong, per se, but this is the type of advice* that creates confusion and makes people sick, much like the Atkins Diet or whatever other faddish food advice comes along.

So here's the thing: Michael Greger wants everyone on a whole plant diet which is great. Plants are good for us and we should all eat more of them, especially if we eat hardly any at all, as Americans do, or don't, in this case. But turmeric does not cure cancer and neither does brocc Seriously, this is BS.
Ok, it’s not. He’s not wrong, per se, but this is the type of advice* that creates confusion and makes people sick, much like the Atkins Diet or whatever other faddish food advice comes along.

So here's the thing: Michael Greger wants everyone on a whole plant diet which is great. Plants are good for us and we should all eat more of them, especially if we eat hardly any at all, as Americans do, or don't, in this case. But turmeric does not cure cancer and neither does broccoli and he needs to not imply they do.
This is one of those miracle nutrition books, full of antioxidants and unicorn dust in which everyone will magically live forever if they just eat as he prescribes. But he doesn’t account for personal dietary needs, for body types, for each person's individual chemistry. Some people will do fine on a vegan diet, others won’t. Not everyone works the same. Why doesn't he know this? That's why we have nutritionists who take all this stuff into consideration and then suggest a diet that best suits each body's needs.
I'm not saying this nutritional advice won't work for some people, probably for a lot of people, but you're still going to die, regardless of the title, and you might still get diseases, regardless of the assertion you probably won't if you just eat these miracle plants. Yes, eating raw, whole, local food is the best but no, it's not viable for everyone, especially not for low-income people in food deserts, but I'm not even going to get started on that.

Greger narrates the audiobook and he sounds smug and douchey. He does that thing where he lets his thoughts trail off so that readers can come to the correct conclusion -- you can sense the ellipses at the end of each sentence -- and feel smug about their ability to put 2 and 2 together OR he uses subtle guilt -- obese children: Who wouldn’t give anything to give their kids two more decades of life? -- to shame or induce further smugness. I hated it. I wanted to run my car off a cliff in order to shut the guy up, hoping he would not survive the incident regardless of his miracle diet. I didn't because the audiobook did not actually contain the guy's lifeforce.

I got halfway through and couldn’t renew it so took it as a sign to give up and let someone else deal with this nonsense. I'm done.

*EDIT: After reading this review, specifically Point 3, I realize that maybe the book is not what I thought. It sounds like many of the problems I so vehemently rant about above specifically pertain to the first half of the book and are addressed in the second half of the book. I didn't get to the second half so I will remove any and all stars since I don't have all the information needed to form a full rating opinion. However, my bitchy little tantrum still applies to the half I did listen to. ...more

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Feb 09, 2016 farmwifetwo rated it it was ok

Shelves: non-fiction-cook-health

I flipped through those sections that interested me and all I got was "eat veggies". Repeat.

I was hoping for something new and original... not that I didn't expect the "eat veggies" and already do... but original. ...more

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Feb 01, 2020 Kevin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library

Well documented, scientifically proven nutrition that for me is a game changer in how I will continue to eat.
The key summary is really to drink more water, move more, eat more whole grains, more vegetables, more greens, more fruit and more beans so we can live a much healthier and longer life.

I really learned a lot reading this book and drove my wife a bit crazy by reading much of the book to her each time I learned something new.

Dr. Greger debunks myths about Keto, gluten free, low fat, and ...more

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Feb 22, 2018 "Avonna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of the best books in the "Why you should switch to a plant based diet" group of books I have read!

Dr. Greger has scientific information sited throughout and has made the info and writing easy and enjoyable to read. At no time is he overly pushy or preachy. He gives you the info and hopes you make the choice to change your diet. He even sites incidents when he makes or has made choices that are not 100% perfect choices, but he would rather have you partially change than not at all.

This is the ...more

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Jan 21, 2016 FlibBityFLooB rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: witty-i-am-not, read-more-than-once, non-fiction, read-in-2016

Used to be vegan 16 years ago, and this book reaffirmed for me why I was so much healthier during that period. I really appreciated reading about phytonutrients and learning why certain foods are so necessary to improving my health. Reading this book has really made a big difference over the last several weeks with me incorporating a lot more natural foods (legumes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables) into my diet again. I feel much better. I look forward to seeing how it impacts my labs in the future ...more

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Aug 02, 2017 debbicat *made of stardust* rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-reads

Took my time reading this. I have it on kindle, audible, and I bought the hard copy bc its that great! It's the holy grail on nutrition and wellness I think. Hopefully can do a real review soon. I highly recommend it for everyone.

Update because I never fully reviewed this and it should be reviewed. This is a big book! I takes a lot of time to get through it. But, it is well worth it. I had an acquaintance ask me today if I knew of a nutritionist. She is trying to feel better, and it looking at n Took my time reading this. I have it on kindle, audible, and I bought the hard copy bc its that great! It's the holy grail on nutrition and wellness I think. Hopefully can do a real review soon. I highly recommend it for everyone.

Update because I never fully reviewed this and it should be reviewed. This is a big book! I takes a lot of time to get through it. But, it is well worth it. I had an acquaintance ask me today if I knew of a nutritionist. She is trying to feel better, and it looking at nutrition as a way to treat her symptoms. I am all for that. After reading this book I think food can absolutely heal or hurt your body. If you believe in food being your medicine this will be a good book to have on your shelf. Dr. Greger goes thru most of the common diseases and gives scientific studies, facts, research about how our lifestyle choices and what we eat contributes to them. Fascinating. In part 2, he tells us what to eat and why we should eat it.

"This book is divided into two parts: the "why" and the "how". In part 1-the "why" to eat healthfully section-I will explore the role diet can play in the prevention, treatment, and reversal of the fifteen leading causes of death in the US. I'll then take a closer look at the more practical aspects of healthy eating in the "how" to eat healthfully section presented in part 2. For example, we'll see in part 1 why beans and greens are among the healthiest foods on earth. Then, in part 2, we'll take a look at how best to eat them-we'll explore such issues as how many greens to eat every day and whether they're best cooked, canned, fresh, or frozen. We'll see in part 1 why it's important to eat at least nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and then part 2 will help you decide whether to buy organic or conventional produce. I'll try to answer all the common questions I receive daily and then offer real-world tips for grocery shopping and meal planning to make it as easy as possible to best feed yourself and your family."

He shows how eating healthier is easier than we think and might even save our life.

It's a great reference book and I can't recommend it highly enough. I have a lot of high lites made visible thru my kindle edition review. Feel free to look around. The book delivers what it promises. ...more

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Dec 14, 2015 Ann rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: healthy, 2016

"If it came from a plant, eat it. If it was made in a plant, don't.” So says one source quoted in this amazing new bk.

I love this bk! Loved the doc’s practical writing style, often witty with straight forward advice. It was like sitting down and having a chat with the guy, and he’s even pretty funny at times. Easy reading and just so darn fascinating. I’m totally health obsessed so this was right up my alley. Sure we’re all going to die but let’s not purposely do it to ourselves with crappy foo "If it came from a plant, eat it. If it was made in a plant, don't.” So says one source quoted in this amazing new bk.

I love this bk! Loved the doc’s practical writing style, often witty with straight forward advice. It was like sitting down and having a chat with the guy, and he’s even pretty funny at times. Easy reading and just so darn fascinating. I’m totally health obsessed so this was right up my alley. Sure we’re all going to die but let’s not purposely do it to ourselves with crappy food and inactivity.

It’s all about a whole food, plant based diet: fruits, veggies and greens, nuts, beans and healthy grains (what’s not to love? Yum!) and plenty of exercise (natch!). The docs website is a cool addition to this bk if you so care to check it out (Nutritionfacts.org…it’s like Wikipedia for nutrition). I especially like that this was from a doctor’s point of view and it being so practical without all the heavy academics that make one’s eyes glaze over. But that’s not to say there’s not plenty of evidence to support his approach. The bk is in two parts, the first part is a focus on 15 major diseases/ailments and how to prevent or reverse what ails you (his grandmother’s story was nothing short of amazing). The 2nd part is his “daily dozen” foods with evidenced based nutrition facts and how to implement what he’s teaching. There's even a handy app to help you keep track of your daily dozen.

Some very surprising info, especially his take on the coconut craze and the gluten free diet and there’s plenty of info about GMO’s. And though he’d rather see food be your medicine as opposed to a ton of supplements he does recommend a few for certain issues. This is a hefty 576 page bk, and it’s definitely well researched, the last 140 ish pages are references. Dr. Greger tells you what he eats and throws in some recipes of his favs. He walks his talk. I’m a self professed health freak and this doc has me wanting to step up my game. This is no fanatical bashing, radical, product pushing or a fear based bk, just practical info that will improve your daily living and save countless lives. This bk is going to be my new go to reference guide. Ready to take responsibility for your health? Here’s to living long and well enough to tell about it.
...more

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Jun 08, 2020 Kathleen rated it really liked it

You guessed it; this is another book in favor of a Whole-Foods Plant-Based (WFPB) diet. Greger and Stone cite a plethora of scientific studies that support a WFPB diet and how this diet not only prevents several chronic diseases, but actually reverses them. Many of these studies were cited in the Forks Over Knives documentary from 2011. However, Greger and Stone have also cited a number of smaller studies and even included anecdotal evidence that suggests a certain amount of ‘cherry-picking’ in ...more

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Jun 08, 2018 Dannii Elle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction-nuances, self-improvement-success

As the title so directly suggests, this book is focused on maintaining your health. The first portion focuses on common and fatal diseases that inflict the human race, such as cancers and heart disease, and provides a realm of information on how one can help their body to deflect these specific ailments.

The later portion of this book centred around the foods touched on previously. An overview of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, lentils, nuts, and seeds was provided, with an addi ...more

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Mar 02, 2018 Max rated it really liked it

Shelves: nutrition, biology, favourites

2020 reread: After reading this book, I've been following dr Greger's tips and noticed several health benefits. Less headaches, quicker healing from my runs, so I decided to revisit this book to freshen up the knowledge. I now listened to this as an audiobook read by the author. He has a quirky reading style, may not be for everyone, but I really liked it.

I was really intrigued when I saw this book. Ofcourse most people know how to eat so that they can be the healthiest version of themselves, b ...more

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Fort Wayne Wellne...: First sections of the book - Part 1	1	2	Apr 02, 2020 06:15AM
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About Michael Greger

Michael Greger

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A founding member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Michael Greger, MD, is a physician, author, and internationally recognized speaker on nutrition, food safety, and public health issues. He has lectured at the Conference on World Affairs, testified before Congress, appeared on The Dr. Oz Show and The Colbert Report, and was invited as an expert witness in the defense of Oprah Winfrey ...more

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