How To Lose Weight Well

by Xand van Tulleken

NA

Genres: Cooking, Nonfiction, Health

Paperback

Published December 26, 2019

About the author

Alexander Gerald van Hoogenhouck-Tulleken is a British doctor and TV presenter. He is known for jointly presenting with his identical twin brother Chris several television programmes, including the CBBC children's series Operation Ouch!, and the Channel 4 show How to Lose Weight Well.

Van Tulleken has also individually presented many documentaries, including an episode of Horizon discussing male suicide and a BBC programme on the European migrant crisis. He can often be seen offering up his own body for science experimentation in diet show How to Lose Weight Well, as well as in BBC Horizon episodes "Sugar vs Fat" and "Is Binge Drinking Really That Bad?" As of July 2023, he was appearing regularly on the BBC One weekday programme Morning Live, providing a variety of medical advice. Van Tulleken is also a member of the Made of Stronger Stuff podcast on BBC Sounds.

Reviews

[Sian Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read A LOT of cook books - Ben has an obsession, we have over 150 at last count! But I don't normally list them on Goodreads because I don't usually read them cover to cover, just picking out recipes I like normally.
We're on a health kick for the New Year (so stereotypical, I know!) and have recently got all the Lean in 15 books and loved them. And we've watched the programme of the same name of this book and enjoyed it - lots of interesting recipes, crazy but interesting diets, and a few tips on how to live healthily. So we decided to get the book.
To be honest, I'm not exactly reading this to lose weight but to live a healthier lifestyle in general. I'm trying to get into good habits of eating well and exercising well. I find the theory behind nutrition all very interesting though, so I found this book really appealed to that without going into TOO much depth, but still giving a really good overview.
But what I liked best about this book is that it's not written like a book. The pages are more like blog posts where you get short and snappy pieces of info. The writing style is approachable and funny - I laughed out loud, I read pieces of it out to Ben because I thought they were so brilliant (especially a line about how the only creatures that look as good in real life as they do on the internet are cats!). And most of all, it isn't a "diet book". It's a way to change your lifestyle for lazy people - as Xand frequently mentions, his perfect weekend involves lots of sitting around and eating, and the fact that he manages to do this gives you hope.
The recipes themselves seem awesome - I haven't tried any yet, but they look easy to do, tasty and good for you. I'm looking forward to trying them!

[Jackie Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to follow and sensible.

I read this through in conjunction with brother Chris van Tulleken's book on processed foods and food additives. It supports everything set out at more length in the other book and usefully sets out recipes and a diet plan which could be incorporated into most people's lifestyle. You will have to be committed and have to buy lots of unusual ingredients, a lot of which have a very short shelf life, so get used to shopping every day and throwing away a lot of waste. My main problem is the use of beef, chilli and spices in almost everything. I'm not a strict vegetarian, but I draw the line at beef due to climate change impact and won't touch tuna now I know how it's caught. I can't digest lactose, so the cheese is difficult and I am very wary of chilli, garlic and spices. Maybe a tiny pinch once a year goes into my food. However, the main principle is sound and I'm sure I can and will adapt the recipes to suit. I think everyone should read this book and perhaps food manufacturers will stop putting junk in food if we all stop buying it.

[Baldeep Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great, an easy read without talking numbers and jargon! A great and easy read. I love how the book doesnt steer you to one diet. It talks about all aspects and the recipes are easy. Cannot wait to try them out. However one thing is lacking it doesnt specify what works better fasting or no fasting and what is the best tried diet.

1 star less just needs to be abit more specific on what diet is the best. But a really good read

[Judi Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of diet books. This one is in my top 10. It's full of sensible practical advice and tasty easy to make recipes. I'd recommend this book for anyone wanting to change their way of eating as well as those wanting to lose weight

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has simple principles about weight loss
1. eliminate enemies
no processed food, no junk food, no alcohol, no pills or vitamins unless prescribed, no juices
2. prepare kitchen
3. eat well
veggies unlimited
4. live well
exercise

[Emma Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and so much of what Dr Xand. As a former WeightWatchers coach there is so much science in this book that correlates with the scientific theories that I’ve been trained in. There are also some fabulous recipes too!

[sheila Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

A very few veg recipes worth trying but everything else was a real disappointment I wouldn't recommend this book at all

[Mr Richard Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally

A healthy eating dieting book that does not need a cupboard full of different ingredients for each recipe, some are even child friendly. The book also offers good advice.

[romney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good practical advice for ways to eat better and lose weight, all backed up by medical research and the author's personal experience. Over half the book is recipes.

[Rebecca Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Common-sense, humorous, good reminders

[Rory · Rating 5 out of 5]

.

[Louise Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting recipes

[Johny Ryan]

I was expecting this to be more of a journey of how he lost weight, I got through it surprisingly quickly though as half of it is actually recipes. If you have just taken up cooking or would like too it's a good read by a great guy and respected TV doctor. However I felt I already knew all the things he mentioned.

[Zeba Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down to earth and quite funny, but direct, no-nonsense and some useful recipes, especially for vegetables. The recipes are much easier and faster than some of the Wicks/Kerridge ones. Great for low-carb approaches.

[sarah wintle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great different book on diets

Can't wait to try the fish pie with pea and parnip top
Lovely book to read easy to understand, hopefully it get me to eat more veg

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decided to reread this for the motivation I need to get back to a healthier weight.

[Suzanne Maughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of common sense - eat less and exercise...

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as I'm trying to change to a more plant based / less processed foods diet with minimal meat. Very sensibly written, lots of good recipes and food ideas. Not too dogmatic.