What do you think?
Rate this book
The Perfect Formula Diet: How To Lose Weight and Get Healthy Now With Six Kinds of Whole Foods
REVIEWS Kathy Sternbach, M.Ed., M.B.A., behavioral health Now, in over 520 days of my day to day approach to healthful eating and with over 50 pounds of weight loss, I feel great. After many years of diets, weight loss and re-gain, I believe I’m now have a long-term approach to healthful eating. T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D., author The China It’s a great read, both for the public and for the professional. I wholeheartedly endorse it. Neal Barnard, M.D., President, Physicians Committee for Responsible In The Perfect Formula Diet, you’ll find all the information you wanted to know about nutrition but couldn’t sort out in scientific journals. Janice puts all this information together in the most perfect way, giving you a plant-powered formula for taking back your life and health. Joel Fuhrman, M.D., Co-founder of Eat Right America and author Eat to One that gets it right… John McDougall, M.D., Founder of The McDougall Program and author The McDougall Program for Dr. Stanger makes eating well and regaining lost health easy to understand. Marcia Rhoades, Businesswoman, mom, and A year ago, I decided to try Janice's approach to healthy eating and have lost 40 pounds. Her book is a daily reminder that I can look and feel 100% better, just by eating a sensible plant-based diet. PRODUCT DESCRIPTION SIX KINDS OF WHOLE FOODS MAKE WEIGHT LOSS EASY, PERMANENT, AND HUNGER-FREE This simple, science-based, and affordable eating plan is built on six kinds of whole foods. You’ll melt stubborn weight permanently, reverse chronic illness, and feel the years melt away with the pounds on a whole foods, plant-based eating plan. You can’t stop getting older, but you can stay vigorous, healthy, lean, and looking good. Donate your old diet books to a thrift store. Don’t they all give you pretty much the same advice? The Perfect Formula Diet, by using the full spectrum of fruit, vegetables, potatoes, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices, gives you a new option that is fail-proof. Yes, you can enjoy bread, pasta, cereal, and baked potatoes and still wear size 6 pants. Stop food cravings by giving your body what it needs. Maintain motivation with chapters of practical hints on strengthening commitment, shopping, eating out, lunching at work, and dining with friends. Choose from three options to get started on this eating plan gradually or on the fast track. Forget hunger as you feast on plates and bowls of satisfying foods. No portion control, calorie counting, or complicated diet rules. Throw away the tiny microwave meals that leave you famished for real food. When you lose weight on the Perfect Formula Diet, your weight loss is permanent – you will not yo-yo or rebound to your prior weight as long as you follow this eating plan. Enjoy life instead of warming the chair in your doctor’s waiting room. Discover the common processes (inflammation, growth factor, oxidation, unbalanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, hormones in food, toxic molecules from cooking) underlying most chronic illness and how you can reverse these processes through enjoyable food choices. Learn about toxic chemicals in your everyday environment that can make you overweight by disrupting your hormones. Find out how to minimize this danger using both diet and personal care product choices. Based on over 1,000 scientific studies, The Perfect Formula Diet is a jargon-free and fun read.
278 pages, Paperback
First published September 23, 2009
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 23, 2012
In The Perfect Formula Diet, Janet Stanger, Ph.D., discusses the merits of a plant-based diet. Citing study after study, scientific research and examples of people who thrive on vegetarian diets, Stanger gives a convincing argument that a plant-based diet is what humans are meant to eat and what they thrive on the most. At the same time, she makes her eating plan, which revolves around six kinds of whole foods, sound so delicious and satisfying that it becomes very attractive—if you don’t mind giving up meat. She also convincingly refutes the common thinking that humans need the large amounts of protein they get from animal products.
Stanger’s pleasing writing style is full of vibrant language that had this reader drooling and almost had me convinced to give up meat…well, perhaps I can give up just a little! In addition, the book is convenient to read, with summaries at the end of each chapter so the reader can get the most important points quickly, then go back and read the details later when there is more time.
The Perfect Formula Diet is a loose, free-flowing way of looking at how we eat. Rather than focusing on meal plans like many other diets, Stanger suggests simply eating the suggested whole foods when you are hungry and stopping when you’re full. While there are some guidelines on how to balance the foods and suggestions for getting started, it is a fairly uncomplicated diet. Personally, being a person who likes eating meals, I would have liked a little more guidance on ways to prepare the whole foods into tasty meals to get me started. However, I am sure many people will enjoy the grazing nature of it, which is probably a more natural way to eat.
In addition to the healthful benefits of eating a plant-based diet, Stanger discusses economic, social and environmental reasons for switching off of food derived from animals. For me, some of these arguments fell flat and actually detracted from what is otherwise a very good diet book. She also goes on to discuss next steps in improving your health, such as getting proper exercise and sleep and making your home free of harmful chemicals.
Stanger’s pleasing writing style is full of vibrant language that had this reader drooling and almost had me convinced to give up meat…well, perhaps I can give up just a little! In addition, the book is convenient to read, with summaries at the end of each chapter so the reader can get the most important points quickly, then go back and read the details later when there is more time.
The Perfect Formula Diet is a loose, free-flowing way of looking at how we eat. Rather than focusing on meal plans like many other diets, Stanger suggests simply eating the suggested whole foods when you are hungry and stopping when you’re full. While there are some guidelines on how to balance the foods and suggestions for getting started, it is a fairly uncomplicated diet. Personally, being a person who likes eating meals, I would have liked a little more guidance on ways to prepare the whole foods into tasty meals to get me started. However, I am sure many people will enjoy the grazing nature of it, which is probably a more natural way to eat.
In addition to the healthful benefits of eating a plant-based diet, Stanger discusses economic, social and environmental reasons for switching off of food derived from animals. For me, some of these arguments fell flat and actually detracted from what is otherwise a very good diet book. She also goes on to discuss next steps in improving your health, such as getting proper exercise and sleep and making your home free of harmful chemicals.
November 8, 2018
I am very skeptical of most diet books, mainly because none ever seem to work for me. So with trepidation, I opened up The Perfect Formula Diet and started reading. At first I wasn't really getting how this book could really help me out, talking about "Getting to know myself" and"Measuring my goals", but as I got farther into the book, I really began to see how switching certain things I eat now can help me to lose the baby weight I've been carrying for three years now. The Perfect Foods section really helped open my eyes to the fact that I have simply been eating the "wrong" foods to lose weight. We use a lot of white flour, white rice, and vegetable oil. I never really thought about how bad these were for our bodies.
The section titled "Not-Meal Plans" was a major eye-opener for me. I have always been told to eat three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. And that all three meals should occur at about the same time every day, or you risk overeating. But seriously, I was always really hungry going from 11:30 a.m till 7:00 p.m with nothing to eat in between. In this section, it tells you " Tying your eating decisions to the clock can be a recipe for struggle because your Perfect Body operates on its own time and rhythms. Feel free to "snack" or skip meals altogether and just graze when your body signals that you need food". See now that is my kind of "meal-plan", I'm not always hungry at 6 in the morning, or right at lunchtime. So with this easy to follow "plan" I'm eating when my body is hungry without over-stuffing myself, I am slowly making healthier choices for myself and my family.
So if you are looking for a great NOT-diet then pick up this book and see how you too can enjoy your food and lose weight!
The section titled "Not-Meal Plans" was a major eye-opener for me. I have always been told to eat three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. And that all three meals should occur at about the same time every day, or you risk overeating. But seriously, I was always really hungry going from 11:30 a.m till 7:00 p.m with nothing to eat in between. In this section, it tells you " Tying your eating decisions to the clock can be a recipe for struggle because your Perfect Body operates on its own time and rhythms. Feel free to "snack" or skip meals altogether and just graze when your body signals that you need food". See now that is my kind of "meal-plan", I'm not always hungry at 6 in the morning, or right at lunchtime. So with this easy to follow "plan" I'm eating when my body is hungry without over-stuffing myself, I am slowly making healthier choices for myself and my family.
So if you are looking for a great NOT-diet then pick up this book and see how you too can enjoy your food and lose weight!
March 13, 2017
I used to regularly experience heaviness of stomach in the evening after diner. So when I felt really bad after a barbecue where I "just" ate 2 sausages, I decided I had to fix my eating.
Two days later, I stumbled across "The Perfect Formula Diet", and the day after I began to eat like a dietary vegan.
However, and it's important to note, I didn't just do that, because this book isn't about dietary veganism (and it isn't about veganism either). No, it's about healthy eating, without meat, eggs or processed food (that dietary vegans can actually eat but are really bad for the health) except dark chocolate.
This book really changed my perspective about protein. I used to think like most people that meat was necessary to get enough protein, and so that dietary vegans were at risk of protein deficiency.
Boy, was I in for a surprise!
Suffice it to say that the chapter on protein is my clear favorite.
This book is backed by a lot of studies, available on the author's website for easy check. And I surely checked them and searched for more, since I - really - was surprised about what she said about proteins.
Now it's been one year and a half since I read it.
Since I'm not an ascetic, I still regularly eat meat, but much less than before. I went from eating meat 14 times a week (for an average of 90 kg/year) to one time a week (mainly chicken) (for 5-10 kg/year).
However, I cut down processed foods, I stopped eating french fries, I very rarely eat potato chips and when I eat process foods, it has to be really delicious. So I don't eat anymore Nutella-like spread every day (though it took a few months before I finally stopped), I eat occasionally very good pralines. I was already picky, but I became even more so since my taste buds seem to have become more sensitive.
Since I cut down products with added sugar (while eating much more fruits, containing sugar, than before), I don't feel anymore a need to eat those sugary products. That's a known side effect of stopping those, since added sugar is proven to be as addictive as cocaine. After a few days, I rediscovered the taste of an apple, and what a taste! In comparison, they seemed acidic and bland before I stopped those sugars.
I've never been even slightly overweight, but while that can be considered a blessing, it's also a curse.
I could eat anything without consequences... or so I thought. I then understood that being overweight doesn't cause health issues, it's only a sign that we don't eat healthily. So while I wasn't gaining weight, I was hurting my health as much as anyone, and I was starting to feel it.
I'm really happy to have found and read this book, and I wish it was available in French to make my whole family read it.
Two days later, I stumbled across "The Perfect Formula Diet", and the day after I began to eat like a dietary vegan.
However, and it's important to note, I didn't just do that, because this book isn't about dietary veganism (and it isn't about veganism either). No, it's about healthy eating, without meat, eggs or processed food (that dietary vegans can actually eat but are really bad for the health) except dark chocolate.
This book really changed my perspective about protein. I used to think like most people that meat was necessary to get enough protein, and so that dietary vegans were at risk of protein deficiency.
Boy, was I in for a surprise!
Suffice it to say that the chapter on protein is my clear favorite.
This book is backed by a lot of studies, available on the author's website for easy check. And I surely checked them and searched for more, since I - really - was surprised about what she said about proteins.
Now it's been one year and a half since I read it.
Since I'm not an ascetic, I still regularly eat meat, but much less than before. I went from eating meat 14 times a week (for an average of 90 kg/year) to one time a week (mainly chicken) (for 5-10 kg/year).
However, I cut down processed foods, I stopped eating french fries, I very rarely eat potato chips and when I eat process foods, it has to be really delicious. So I don't eat anymore Nutella-like spread every day (though it took a few months before I finally stopped), I eat occasionally very good pralines. I was already picky, but I became even more so since my taste buds seem to have become more sensitive.
Since I cut down products with added sugar (while eating much more fruits, containing sugar, than before), I don't feel anymore a need to eat those sugary products. That's a known side effect of stopping those, since added sugar is proven to be as addictive as cocaine. After a few days, I rediscovered the taste of an apple, and what a taste! In comparison, they seemed acidic and bland before I stopped those sugars.
I've never been even slightly overweight, but while that can be considered a blessing, it's also a curse.
I could eat anything without consequences... or so I thought. I then understood that being overweight doesn't cause health issues, it's only a sign that we don't eat healthily. So while I wasn't gaining weight, I was hurting my health as much as anyone, and I was starting to feel it.
I'm really happy to have found and read this book, and I wish it was available in French to make my whole family read it.
April 1, 2018
Generally informative, well-researched and convincing. However, the author incessantly pounds her own agenda-drum, which gets a bit monotonous after a while. Alert readers don't need so much repetition. Also, would be better with some sample food-plan days included.
September 24, 2017
A very interesting book speaking to the innumerable benefits of a plant-based diet. My main con was that I found it redundant. And she was speaking to the choir with me...
April 29, 2018
So terribly repetitive!
November 28, 2018
A powerhouse chocked full of vital evidence-based information that everyone should know
February 23, 2015
essential reading for everyone with a body
In today's world, so many things can go wrong simply because we have not been taught (generally) how to think about the consequences of personal convenience. The Perfect World we desire can only manifest when we realize that it can only be achieved by taking responsibility for our own Perfect Body.
Indeed we are Perfect and complex, and Janice Stanger explains in very understandable terms, both the consequences and the benefits of adopting The Perfect Formula Diet.
As a health educator myself, I intend to incorporate this formula into my practice.
Donna Vernon, LMT
In today's world, so many things can go wrong simply because we have not been taught (generally) how to think about the consequences of personal convenience. The Perfect World we desire can only manifest when we realize that it can only be achieved by taking responsibility for our own Perfect Body.
Indeed we are Perfect and complex, and Janice Stanger explains in very understandable terms, both the consequences and the benefits of adopting The Perfect Formula Diet.
As a health educator myself, I intend to incorporate this formula into my practice.
Donna Vernon, LMT
Read
November 22, 2015Awesome summary of the research!
I can't believe I have lived this long and not encountered the research on calcium. This is an accessibly written concise resource that I will be rereading many times. I appreciate the inclusion of the information about indoor environments including things like fire retardants and cosmetics. I expected recipes in the book but the links to professional cooks makes sense and I appreciate them. I didn't think any author could impress me as much as Dr John McDougall but I stand corrected. If there was room I would give it ten stars!
I can't believe I have lived this long and not encountered the research on calcium. This is an accessibly written concise resource that I will be rereading many times. I appreciate the inclusion of the information about indoor environments including things like fire retardants and cosmetics. I expected recipes in the book but the links to professional cooks makes sense and I appreciate them. I didn't think any author could impress me as much as Dr John McDougall but I stand corrected. If there was room I would give it ten stars!
May 9, 2010
This is one of the best books on health and diet. It tells many important things about animal foods and why these must be prevented. The book is interesting, informative, and motivating toward better eating and wholesome living.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews