If you are an executive with a big expense account and eat in fine restaurants most of the time, this book is probably a godsend. For the rest of us, who pack our lunches or eat in cafeterias, cook most of our meals at home and occasionally dine at Olive Garden or Chili's, the diet is extremely restrictive. The food variety depends on the ingredients and cooking techniques available to gourmet chefs. You must be willing to bake your own bread, cook at home, shop for some hard to find ingredients, or do without. However, it seems to work. I've lost 4 lbs in the first week, and have heard great testimonials from friends. I plan to continue and see if I can reach my goal! The book is VERY entertaining, however. The author has a dry sense of humor that makes it quite enjoyable, and his principles for controlling blood sugar really seem to work.