Anjum's - Eat right for your body type

by Anjum Anand

Book by Anjum Anand

Genres: Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Cooking, Health, Food, Nutrition

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2009

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been following this way of eating for about two weeks and feel great. I lost ten pounds quickly and my stomachaches have vanished.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Great coverage of Aryurveda basics and some nice recipes.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative text for those who want to learn more about dosha lifetsyle choices. Though, as a beginner I would've like a glossary of terms, or a little more explanation of why certain foods should be avoided or prioritized.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is mainly guided around the Ayurvedic doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha), anyone who is into healthy eating will enjoy it, especially if you have an interest in spices and Indian cooking with a lighter, more contemporary twist.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice presentation of Ayurveda. Some good sounding recipes.

[Kamal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I have serious doubts about ayurvedic eating, this book is full of great recipes and meal ideas that modernize Indian cuisine in the same manner as Anjum Anand's other books. Personally, I think that you should eat whatever you want so long as it is fresh, in season and well-prepared. The whole discussion of the 5 elements of ayurveda smells of other ancient systems of folk science such as the four humors, etc. We know these to be bunk. We don't leech and bleed people anymore when they are sick, likewise, there is no need to follow some bogus diet plan simply because it is recommended by "ancient seers". That being said, the dishes in the book won't hurt you and many are really tasty. But I don't think for a second that ancient knowledge has anything to do with it. It is just another case--like yoga--of Westerners going cuckoo for some Orientalists hooey.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

What originally drew my attention was how my "recommended reads" is overflowing with cookbooks (I am clearly looking for an eating change) and this book is written by the chef/author of another cookbook I drool over. I have known about Ayurveda (not how to pronounce it, but as a girl who loved all those "who are you" quizzes, I had heard of doshas). Flipping through the recipes, I really liked the spice profile and the anticipated flavour of the food. I also want more vegetarian in my diet, so I liked that the veggie dishes looked appealing to this meat-eater.

I think the recipes are great (I even liked the guidance to do a detox cleanse). The challenge I found - for me, at least - is that Ayurveda is a really complicated concept. There are probably a lot of people who are more "typical" than me, but after doing the quiz inside several times, I decided I was a Vata with a Kapha imbalance; the advice to reduce Kapha conflicted with the vata maintenance, so I was just confused. I don't think everyone would make it this difficult, but I think I would need some more specific help and not the generic info Anand provides to attempt to balance oneself. It has potential, but not everyone will be able to immediately follow it (or ever).

I have this habit of copying recipes I like from cookbooks I borrow into a Try-This Cookbook. However, I found myself unable to as there was just so much information to record (modifying recipes for each dosha, then being prepared for changing dosha balances and/or the doshas of others). I really think this is a book that, if you are going to sincerely try, you have to own the book. So, the question: is it worth buying? Ultimately, I have put it on a wishlist and mentioned it as an idea for the next gift-giving holiday. I would accept it as a gift, but I decided to get her other cookbook instead when spending my own money; you have to feel prepared and like you understand the plan, but I did not. One day, possibly.

EDIT: I bought it when it went on sale. I struggle with the Ayurveda but, simply as a cookbook, I rather enjoy it.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw this book on a display table at my public library while I was waiting to check out books I was borrowing. I didn't even look inside the book. I thought with the title "Eat Right For Your Body Type" (I wasn't sure what Ayurveda was. I thought maybe it was a person) it might have some insight for what to eat for my body type. So when I got home and started to read the book I was surprised to learn that Ayurveda is "a holistic science that believes in the unity of mind, body and soul, so being ill in one area can affect you in another." Ayurveda means "science" or "knowledge of life" and comes from India. When I learned that and started to page through the book and see ingredients I never heard of and spicy dishes, I decided that I wouldn't be reading the recipes. Spicy isn't my thing.

I did read about the different body types: Vata dosha, Pitta dosha, and Kapha dosha. (Not apple, banana, pear, or hourglass like I was expecting.) Interesting, but not for me.

[Ann Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this cookbook but couldn't give it 5 stars simply because I couldn't imagine giving anything other than fiction 5 stars. Admitted prejudice there on my part. There are so many right things about this book: 1.) Easy to understand/follow ayurveda principles 2.) Successfully skipped over a few minor ancient ayurveda practices that are not safe, thus making the whole thing more appealing 3.) Beautiful design through-out 4.) fab photos and last but not least 5.) wonderful recipes!

[PageTurnerswithKatja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts of with the basics of Ayurveda and the body types (doshas) each of which have different rates of metabolising foods. Makes sense when we wonder why some skinny folk eat above the average calorie intake and some fat people seem to gain if they stop counting calories.

Lovely recipe ideas, and each shows how the dish can be changed to suit a particular body type by substituting certain foods.

I bought this second hand and love it.

[Margherita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been trying all the recipes in this book and they are all absolutely yummy and the tastes are so balanced! when they say food should have all the six tastes well this book does the trick and you don't have to eat indian to eat in the ayurvedic way. only thing i substitute potatoes with parsnips, tomatoes with red sweet peppers and wheat with spelt.

[Crystal Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty interesting. the bad habits I have currently going on is word for word on pitta, which I happen to be. the diet I am to follow is what I do stick to when I find myself in a positive mood. going to try this out.

[Chaitanya Vinjamuri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great one, have read the doshas, balances and other things.
Though the details are there in other book, Anjum mentioned those in a common man's terms.
I didn't go through the foods, preparations, cookery etc, I got this book only to read the ayurvedic concepts and I liked them.

[Mira · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Sigh* Not perfect for a vegetarian like me, but still a pretty good book.