FitLit: Eating Well Diet (and Giveaway!)
November 20, 2009 by Erin
Although The EatingWell Diet book has the word “diet” in the title, it’s really anything but a diet. It’s a real-life strategy book for healthy—and delicious—eating. Jenn has long been a fan of EatingWell magazine, so we were pumped to add this one to our FBG library.
The book introduces the VTrim weight-loss program, and while I hear “VTrim” and think “TrimSpa” and other similar hoaxy diets, the VTrim program is actually based on science and was developed at the University of Vermont. The 24-week program focuses on the behavioral approach to weight loss, teaching the basics of eating less and moving more, and emphasizes goal-setting and tracking progress through journaling. It’s not a quick-fix scam; it’s a whole-life approach to wellness, which is an idea the FBGs support whole-heartedly.
Instead of limiting yourself and making foods off limits, the book emphasizes portion control and strategies that you can incorporate into your lifestyle for the long term. With images of the correct portions, the book teaches you the appropriate serving size—and helps you realize how much you’ve actually been (over)eating. One excellent tip the book gave was to measure out the correct serving size first, and then make a mental note of what that looks like so that you actually learn the look of the correct portion and don’t have to measure it out for the rest of your life. (Especially helpful if you’re a chemist like my husband; measuring anything outside of work hours is strictly off limits.)
For people who are just starting out on the journey to healthy eating, the grocery store can be intimidating. This “diet” knows about that intimidation factor and gives an aisle-by-aisle breakdown on how to get through the grocery store safely, stocking your cart with the healthiest items. The book also has a helpful section on how to combat a diet relapse that gives helpful tips on how to get back on the wagon after you fall off. And you will fall off—the book is realistic, but gives concrete examples of how to stay on track, which would have been especially helpful to me on a recent road trip.
The book doesn’t just spout off the benefits of eating whole foods and preach portion control, though. It includes dozens of recipes to begin implementing the EatingWell philosophy. With both main dishes and sides, plus salad and dressing recipes, the book gives a busy gal easy-to-fix meals that you know are healthy and calorie-friendly.
I made the Mushroom, Sausage & Spinach Lasagna (pg. 181) to test out this new philosophy. The recipe took some time, but mostly because it bakes for an hour and 20 minutes. The ingredients were simple; none that I had to hit a specialty store to buy. And oh my yumminess. The dish had me and my hubby drooling, and I had to seriously restrain myself from going back for more. And honestly, going back for seconds isn’t the worst thing with this dish as it only had 327 calories per serving. That is lasagna—and a “diet” I can get behind! —Erin
If this sounds like the book for you, leave a comment by Nov. 27 to win a copy! We’ll randomly select one lucky reader. Winners will be notified by email. U.S. residents only, please.
I’d love a new healthy eating diet plan and cookbook! It sounds like it would fit right into my moderate way of eating.
Sounds awesome! I always love Eating Well’s recipes.
I would love the book. Trying to read more in fitness and nutrition.
Cool! Eating well is the BEST! This book sounds amazing
This book sounds great. I am always looking for new healthy reads.
I have the EW cookbook and love the magazine. Great giveaway.
Sounds like a great approach to nutrition!
This looks like a great book! Another great giveaway
I would absolutely love this book!! I’ve been looking for a new healthy eating plan!
just starting the eating well thing and this would help a lot
That looks like a really awesome book!
I would loveeeee to win this
Great magazine. I’m sure the book is an excellent resource, and would love to have it sitting on my bookshelf!
I love EW magazine and would love the cookbook as well! I can’t tell you how many delicious and health recipes I have gotten from them. thanks for sharing with everyone!
I saw this book in the store, and I would love to win it!
I would love to have the assistance it looks like this book will provide. Portion control and dropping off good habits is what I find hardest.
i checked out this book at barnes and noble and it looked great! would love to add it to my collection
would love to add this great book to my collection!
I’m so bad at cooking my own meals- perhaps having a book like this would inspire me more? Sounds fantastic!