- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Collins; New edition edition (3 Jan 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007211503
- ISBN-13: 978-0007211500
- Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.2 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
186,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #42 in Books > Reference > Consumer Guides > Food & Drink
- #66 in Books > Food & Drink > Reference & Gastronomy > Encyclopaedias & Dictionaries
- #80 in Books > Reference > Consumer Guides > Health
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Product Description
Review
Amazon review for the previous edition:
‘Anyone who is thinking of dieting – STOP HERE. This is the handyman guide to dieting. All weight loss classes will ask you to keep a watch on how many calories/fats/carbohydrates you eat per day – BUT they never explain to you what foods have what in them…. If you don’t know, you need this book’
Product Description
With over 700,000 copies sold, Collins Gem Calorie Counter is the UK’s top-selling calorie counter. This improved edition takes in new areas: Kids’ food (is your child eating a balanced diet?), Fast Food (how much do you need to burn off after that Big Mac?) and Family Favourites (will my shepherd’s pie break the calorie bank?)
Controlling calorie intake is one of the most effective ways of dieting. The Gem Calorie Counter, by detailing information on thousands of foods and food products, provides the most comprehensive coverage for a book of this size.
In addition to calorie content for each entry, details are also given of the amount of protein, carbohydrate, fat and dietary fibre, helping you to plan a balanced diet.
Rather than the single alphabetical listing used in previous editions, the contents are now organised by types of food – for example Fish, Flour and Baking, Fruit and Vegetables and Jams. This makes it easier to find what you are looking for and to compare similar food and products. Gem Calorie Counter is the ideal companion for the weight-conscious shopper.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
98 of 103 people found the following review helpful
This is a truly excellent little book – packed with information and easily transported if – like me – you spend a lot of time away from home.
There are introductory sections on food and nutrition and details of ideal weights (as BMI – body mass index, or weight ranges for heights).
However at the core of this book are lists of calories per 100g or 100ml and occasionally for “units” as sold. Also listed are percentages of protein, carbohydrate, fat and fibre although I found these less useful. Entries are grouped under major headings such as Fish, Fruit and Vegetables or Meat.
Most raw foods are given calorie counts as are some cooked foods (e.g. grilled fish or stewed meat).
Much of the book is taken up with calorie counts of processed meals – frozen, tinned, in packets or jars. While it is true that you can simply look at these on the products in the shop, it is quite useful to see the range of calories for the “same” product from different manufacturers.
Of itself this book will only help you so far in dieting. I’ve found that it is best used when combined with a food diary – I use a spreadsheet. While a chore, the discipline of weighing food and counting calories is quite eye-opening. You really begin to see where the “extra” calories are coming from. In my case post-meal snacks such as cheese and crisps.
Over 6 months I’ve managed to reduce my BMI from over 25 to under 20 by eating more sensibly (lower calories foods, smaller portions, fewer snacks and more exercise). All without “fad diets, “miracle cures” or labelling some foods as “bad”. This little book was not the cause of the weight loss – willpower and determination was – but was a very handy reference work to allow me to calculate the calories I’m eating and thus slowly adjust my habits.
By calorie counting you can avoid fad diets and – if you lose weight slowly – change your lifestyle to both lose weight and to remain slimmer.
[PS I’m not a medical doctor, so see your GP before you make a drastic change to your dietary regime.]
4 stars for this excellent little book. A real gem, and cheap too.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
There is a wealth of information in this chunky little book. I only gaive it three stars because I feel there are rather too many ready-made, branded foods listed because the label on such items would give all the information, anyway, so no need to look them up in a reference book.
Everything I eat I have created myself so I need calorie values of ingredients, not finished items. So I found I had to wade through ready-made, canned, etc before I find what I am looking for.
But for someone who has little idea of caorie values or needs a fuller list this would be a good little reference book to keep in the kitchen.
Everything I eat I have created myself so I need calorie values of ingredients, not finished items. So I found I had to wade through ready-made, canned, etc before I find what I am looking for.
But for someone who has little idea of caorie values or needs a fuller list this would be a good little reference book to keep in the kitchen.
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Been there done that, after putting on weight from giving up smoking. If you seriously want to lose weight this book provides the foolproof method without the smoke and mirrors of Atkins Diets etc:
1. Get this book (it's a pocket sized book - you don't need to read it all, just the introduction to get started)
2. Keep a food diary (examples can be found on the web - I kept mine on a spreadsheet)
3. Use the book and the diary to keep a tight track of calories in v calories out (the book is a real education in this respect, also providing information on calories burned during exercise)
4. Then stay below your maintenance calorie level (you can calculate this from the book) and you can't fail to lose weight (I stayed 1000 calories per day below my maintenance weight = about 2lbs loss per week). Even if you consume too many calories one day, do some exercise to take it off the next
5. Some reviewers have downgraded their review of this book because the book provides a calorie count per 100 grams or millilitres of food or drink. However, this is the most foolproof way of calorie counting so keep some scales and a measuring jug handy to take the lazy guesswork out of the equation. Otherwise you will only cheat yourself...!
1. Get this book (it's a pocket sized book - you don't need to read it all, just the introduction to get started)
2. Keep a food diary (examples can be found on the web - I kept mine on a spreadsheet)
3. Use the book and the diary to keep a tight track of calories in v calories out (the book is a real education in this respect, also providing information on calories burned during exercise)
4. Then stay below your maintenance calorie level (you can calculate this from the book) and you can't fail to lose weight (I stayed 1000 calories per day below my maintenance weight = about 2lbs loss per week). Even if you consume too many calories one day, do some exercise to take it off the next
5. Some reviewers have downgraded their review of this book because the book provides a calorie count per 100 grams or millilitres of food or drink. However, this is the most foolproof way of calorie counting so keep some scales and a measuring jug handy to take the lazy guesswork out of the equation. Otherwise you will only cheat yourself...!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Illegible print!
Whoever the typesetters/editors were, they really should have thought harder about how easy it would be to use this book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Shelagh H
handy
this is a handy little book with a lot of information in it, my only criticism is that most things are per 100g, instead of per item, so if you have the time to work it out....
Published 2 months ago by shehug
Rubbish!
This little book is rubbish! Unless you plan to carry a set of kitchen scales around with you to weigh everything then its useless! Read more
Published 4 months ago by kimmylikespink
Good service, book not great
No problems with the service and delivery but I have not found this book useful. Yes I agree having calories per 100g is the most accurate measure and I appreciate that. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Meeshy
Brilliant calorie counter
This is one brilliant little thing! Small enough to carry it in your handbag (or even your pocket) it contains any information you need to know about British food. Read more
Published on 11 July 2009 by Rachel
calorie counter pocket size
Calorie Counter (Collins GEM)This is a useful little
book which will help you to plan your meals.
book which will help you to plan your meals.
Published on 9 July 2009 by M. S. Jones
Excellent
I lost a stone in weight with the help of this book, so I'm very pleased indeed.
Published on 1 July 2009 by Glenn Philip Williams
great pocket reference book
This is an excellent little book that fits in your pocket/bag and has listed almost every food product under the sun. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2009 by Mrs. C. G. Hay
Great little book!
I have been trying to lose weight for months and failing miserably. In the space of one month his book combined with a digital kitchen scale and regular exercise has already helped... Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2009 by Andy K
Not too bad but definitley lacking
I bought this particular calorie book because I have lots of collins gem products and they're pretty good. This is okay. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2009 by Lea L
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