The Diabetes Weight-Loss Cookbook: A life-changing diet to prevent and reverse type 2 diabetes

by Katie Caldesi, Giancarlo Caldesi, David Unwin (Foreword)

As seen on ITV's Save Lose Weight'I've got this book and it's fantastic' Tom Watson, former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party'an inspiring recipe book' Daily Mail'The food has been filling and quite simple to make... I'm not missing anything. I am satisfied.' Sharon, tester on ITV's Save Lose Weight'I believe we have eaten our way into this epidemic of diabetes and obesity and that we can eat our way out of it' Dr David Unwin from his ForewordIn 2012 Giancarlo Caldesi was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Since adopting a low-carb diet he has lost almost 4 stone and put his diabetes into remission - transforming his and his family's health.Working with nutritionist Jenny Phillips, Giancarlo and his wife Katie show you how to enjoy a low carb but not no-carb way of life with simple recipes using easy-to-source ingredients that will fill you up without fattening you up. Steak and Chips are still on the menu, as are delicious curries such as Butter Chicken and Spinach Paneer, even puddings like Hot Chocolate Pots or Peanut Butter & Jelly Cake.An initial diagnosis of diabetes can be shocking and the masses of information daunting, but Katie and Giancarlo share their personal experience of diabetes and weight loss to empower you to make your own informed decisions about food, without sacrificing any of the flavour.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Health, Nonfiction, Reference, Diets, Food

441 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2019

Reviews

[Frou Frou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not awfully useful for a working single.

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Last week a read an interview to dr Unwin in The Guardian about his “success” with his patients struggling with diabetes. I was interested enough to go looking a little bit deeper. I went looking online, above all I searched YT’s videos by a well known science populariser I follow (a Chemistry University professor). I checked the app trying to understand a little bit more. Then I realised the app also had some recipes by Katie Caldesi.

I’ll be honest I bought the book as it was on offer. And I’m glad it was as I don’t think it’s what I’m looking for.
I’m not keen on books by people who “have seen the light”. Unfortunately Science is not religion and anecdotes are not evidence. At the end of the day “a calorie is a calorie is a calorie”, so to loose weight you need to eat less/consume more. This is what is certain at the moment, for the rest the low-fat vs the low-carb groups are still bashing each other and for us normal people there is no easy answer. You need to follow a diet that’s easy for you. I can’t say anything on diabetes (but consider these are anecdotes, again science is not ONE paper, nor a bunch).

So what is said here is either not evidence-based medicine (yet) nor anything new (the chapter on moving more and how). What about the recipes?

The Caldesi dad suffers form celiac disease, so kudos to Kati that invented a new way of cooking to help him. Will it help you? It depends, I found very few recipes vaguely interesting. Mostly were “no, why?” (And no, the pictures did not help.) But I don’t suffer from celiac disease (I have a couple of friends who do, so I will be trying something I believe). Moreover, some of the ingredients don’t seem to be that common (in a local supermarket, I’m sure you’ll find them online).
The book seems to be published traditionally, but you couldn’t swear it by the product. In the kindle version the font varies by page, moreover it has not been edited by a food specialist (or and editor really) so the recipes are not well thought, i.e, one ingredient is said to be optional, but in the text it appears in the first paragraph were you are told to mix it with water. So if I don’t want to use it, what shall I do? Still use the water? Mix it later? It’s not that clear. Or when talking about bread the text seems to say we’ll tell you how to shape the bread in different ways. And then they don’t (at least not in that recipe).

Moreover, let be honest, a successful cookbook is made of great pictures that makes you hungry and willing to try. And a book that tries to convince you to go in a counter intuitive way (or against habit) should be even more appealing. Here the pictures are decidedly not appealing (and that’s the publisher’s fault). And no, the problem isn’t the mise en place :)

[Cidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was bought for me by a friend on a visit to The Works I think it was. It's not a bad book, there is a lot at the beginning by Dr David Unwin, GP, telling why you have diabetes and that you can eat whole fats. Hmm, I've got another book telling me that and I'm still not that convinced, or maybe the low fat brigade have just got to me.

I have cooked some of the recipes, but confess to still using low fat stuff, Dr Unwin must be holding his head in his hands at this point. I did like what I cooked but I think a need a lot more time to get my head around eating full fat milk and double cream and butter (although I suspect that they would taste a lot better if these recipes were cooked using full fat products!!).

[Venus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book to scan for information and have now renewed it at the library for the second tim. I have read so many books on controlling diabetes, none of which have provided recipes that contain food my husband will eat. My husband has been diagnosed pre-diabetic and I know we can reverse that diagnosis and help him enjoy eating food again.
Carbs! He loves carbs and this book shows how to add carbs to a low carb diet. Plus the recipes are not so foreign to his Southern diet.
I love the fact the Caldesi’s worked with a nutritionist and mixed science with antidotal stories throughout the book.
If you are trying to find a book to help you understand a better way to reverse or improve your eating habits I highly recommend this book.

[Sally Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first became interested in the whole reducing sugar debate in your diet while watching ‘Horizons’ a television programme where the presenter Dr Michael Mosley interviewed GP, Dr Unwin who spoke about the success he was having in his clinical practice when he adopted this approach with his patients. When I noticed he was involved in producing this book I was naturally interested.

The reason I only gave it 3 stars is because I found the recipes too time consuming to prepare.

[Mrs Susan Farrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good diabetic cookery book

I found this book really inspiring and helpful. Packed full of tasty sounding recipes and advice. Purchased on kindle but may also purchase in paperback lovely photographs of most of the recipes.

[Alexandra Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The science is clearly laid out & easy to understand. It is quite compelling given rising incidences of obesity, diabetes & metabolic syndrome. I look forward to trying all the recipes, which have everyday ingredients & seem both easy to make, & tasty.

[Nikki Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this cookbook! My only complaint is the name, as I am not diabetic but am interested in eating low carb. I look forward to trying more of these recipes. I love the variety and as someone who enjoys cooking I feel these recipes are approachable.

[Terry Phimister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a good solid mainstream low carb cookbook. The intro chapters are concise and well written. We’ve tried the cabbage pappardelle and the butter chicken. Both are very good. I’m sure that a moderate approach is the way to succeed and this book should help.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic. Food I'd actually eat, and an almond based bread. I love my bread and its killing me that I can't sit and eat my usual plate of toast. Love the recipes.

[Elaine Pett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to follow recipes, lost a stone in weight

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Rachael Imrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant ideas!

Great variety of recipes and I love the focus on real food and avoidance of sweetners. Will be a staple in my cooking.