Reviews Cooking, Food And Wine Book

Product Details

From Library Journal
The authors' McDougall Program has been the basis for half a dozen other cookbooks, a weekly television show, and a line of McDougall's "Right Foods" sold nationwide. The program is basically a diet extremely low in fat and high in starch, and this latest book offers quick recipes for converts (although preparation time is 15 minutes or less, cooking times are often longer). While cutting back on fat is probably a good idea for most Americans, the McDougalls at times seem to verge on fanaticism as they discuss "disgusting, damaging fats and oils" and describe how manufacturers "use unfamiliar names to disguise harmful ingredients" so that "fats and oils are hidden" (they don't mention that those same ingredients labels also give fat and saturated fat percentages). And it seems strange that there are no nutrition analyses of their own recipes. Buy for demand.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
The husband-and-wife McDougall team runs a California clinic specializing in weight loss through pursuit of an ultra low-fat, meat-free diet. Their newest cookbook encourages people to follow their regimen by providing recipes that readers can prepare in 15 minutes or less. Most of these recipes use commonly available ingredients. Even the occasional call for a specialized item, such as silken tofu, no longer presents a problem, since the new nutrition movement has made soy products ubiquitous. Since these recipes eliminate all animal products, vegans will find the book useful, too. An appendix lists commercially processed foods that meet the McDougalls' nutritional standards. Although the authors hold up their diet as a virtual panacea against modern Western civilization's diseases, they do not offer nutritional analyses of the individual recipes, which makes the book much less useful for those with diabetic or other illnesses. Mark Knoblauch

Customer Reviews

Favorite Cookbook Among My Collection of 72 Veg Cookbooks
The recipes in this book are simple and delicious, which is why this is, hands down, my favorite cookbook to give as a gift to friends and family who desire better health and don't know where to start. In addition to wonderful, well-tested recipes with inexpensive, easy-to-find ingredients, every third page or so features an explanation of one aspect of nutrition, so the reader learns what wrong with cow's milk; why oils are not healthy; foods that are filling without being fattening, and much more. Dr. McDougall's recommendations on nutrition are based on published research, and his website offers free newsletters and an outstanding archive of past issues, all of which include the citations for those who care to know about the research upon which his recommendations are based.

Great for a beginner
Like one of the other reviewers, I read "The China Study" and it changed my life and led me here. After first checking out this book at the library, I decided to purchase it. This is truly an easy Vegan cookbook with meals that can be prepared quickly and with groceries you typically have on hand. There are also some recipes which include ingredients (like Quinoa) that may help you "grow" if you are a beginner. Highly recommended addition to your cookbook library.

Great cookbook for busy folks
I am a very busy mom with a very picky (meat-eating) husband. Surprisingly, we both really enjoy the recipes. The meals are simple, quick, and leave virtually no clean-up. What I love most about this cookbook is ALL the facts and tidbits McDougall includes that support eating a plant based diet. Who knew that cooking without oil and meat could be so easy and flavorful.