Diet Cure: the Breakthrough Pr: Amazon.co.uk: Julia Ross: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

For most health books, the word "cure" in the title is a definite sign to steer clear. The Diet Cure is a refreshing exception. Author Julia Ross has the unusual job description of "nutritional psychologist", which means that she works with people to eradicate food cravings, addictions, and eating disorders (including overeating). The gist of The Diet Cure plan is that food allergies, hormonal irregularities, blood sugar swings and thyroid dysfunction, among other factors, cause biochemical imbalances that lead to food addiction and weight gain and that these problems can usually be lessened or eradicated with the proper diet and supplements.

To be sure, most of these health problems ought to be diagnosed by a medical professional, but they often go overlooked because their symptoms can be numerous and vague (fatigue, depression, inability to concentrate). They're not easily diagnosed by the common managed-care tests (such as the TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone, blood test; Ross advises several more specific tests if a thyroid problem is suspected). Ross's questionnaires, worksheets, and profiles of case studies from her 10 years of clinical experience will enable you to determine what may be the hidden causes that sabotage your weight-loss efforts.

Ross's book should be lauded for its educational tone. She warns of the dangers of zinc and vitamin B1 deficiencies, two common problems found in chronic dieters, along with protein and fat deficiencies and adrenal exhaustion (which is particularly common in caffeine fiends). She rails against the most popular diet books including the Zone, the Atkins Diet, and even Weight Watchers for (among other things) their ignorance of food allergies such as grains, dairy products and sugar. While it might sound downright frightening to be called a sugar addict or a "recreational sugar user", Ross suggests an amino acid and fish oil supplement plan to curb sugar cravings and aid weight loss. Many of her patients over the past decade testify in the book that their environmental allergies and weight loss problems disappeared after they cut sugar from their diets.

Ross's suggestions may seem radical to many primary-care physicians; her approach to health and weight loss definitely takes a holistic approach. She does, however, back up her suggestions and plan with references to medical studies, along with dozens of print and online resources on finding a nutritionist, naturopathic physician, holistic M.D., testing labs (many of them mail-order). It makes very interesting reading for anyone interested in losing weight. -- Amazon.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Synopsis

A highly personalized guide to ending food cravings lays out a carefully structured diet plan designed to stem overeating within twenty-four hours. Reprint.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

This program WORKS! My energy is back! No sugar cravings! 23 Aug 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This book, and its author, Julia Ross, are teaching me a new way to eat. I've been on the food plan she recommends, and the supplements, for 8 days, and I feel so much better than I ever have before. I used to get really hungry 2 hours after eating, and start to *crash* within an hour after that; my whole life revolved around making sure that I would be able to eat something every 2 or 3 or hours. Most meals would make me fall asleep or get cranky. With the help of the suggestions in this book, I've learned what types of foods I can eat that don't cause any bad reactions. When I walk away from a meal composed the way this book tells me to -- 1-2 cups of vegetables, a little bit of rice, 4 oz of lean protein, a tablespoon of olive oil -- I feel full and satisfied, but not bloated or sleepy. I thought bloated and sleepy is just the way you're supposed to feel after eating! I can eat a meal and not feel hungry for 4 or 5 hours afterwards. If I do get hungry, I have a snack of raw nuts and seeds, or fruit. I don't have sugar cravings, my digestion is normalized, and I need less sleep than I used to. I'm getting reacquainted with my kitchen, and learning to create wonderful things in there, especially luscious vegetable dishes. It's definitely challenging to learn a completely new way to eat, but the rewards are worth it. This book supports your efforts with a really clearly spelled out eating plan and supplement program. If you're having trouble with your energy, digestion, mood, or weight, (or all of the above), read this book.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Impressive book, impressive results, awful title! 1 Sep 1999

Julia Ross isn't kidding about "now." On the 2nd day after starting on the program that seemed right for me (counteracting bad brain chemistry), I got out of bed with no problem. By day 3, I was able to focus on work more than 5 minutes and had more energy than I've had in years. Two cautions, however: (1) the book is extremely well-written, but the subject is complex and takes time to absorb, and (2) swallowing that many dietary supplements throughout the day takes a real commitment. And contrary to a previous reviewer, I found her approach to vegetarians (of which I am one) very helpful and supportive.

My cravings for candy and pasta are over! 27 Aug 1999

I have always been a big carbohydrate eater. I could eat pasta all day. I have been taking the amino acid supplemements for a week now, and I really don't want to eat carbs! It takes a day or two to get used to all of the pills, but stick with it because it really works. I am even losing weight, an added bonus.