Reviews: So What Can I Eat?!

Order today: Amazon.com BarnesAndNoble.com or wherever books are sold

By Janet Helm, for The Chicago Tribune

The claim: All foods can fit.

What it's about: At last, here's a book that tells you no foods are off-limits. It's an upbeat, positive book that helps translate the government's dietary guidelines so you can make them work for you. It features a seven-step plan to custom-fit the new food pyramid to your lifestyle.

Best advice: You don't have to severely restrict calories or avoid any food group to achieve your health or nutrition goals.

Why we like it: The author writes in a warm, chatty style--often including her own personal stories that are inspiring and motivating. She breaks down complex topics into user-friendly advice, including shopping tips, practical meal plans and easy recipes.

From Publishers Weekly
For befuddled readers wanting to "clarify the often conflicting information you hear every day about food and nutrition," this book will serve as a usable resource in the pursuit of better health. Zied, who says, "I'm a registered dietitian, not a food cop," reveals a list of changes to the guidelines of yore, pointing out, for instance, the addition of "discretionary calories," which can be used on treats or second helpings. But there's a lot of information here, and the book's seven-step plan for determining actual versus necessary calorie intake, which requires some work, may deter casual dieters. Many of the book's assertions aren't surprising (a balanced diet plus exercise equals better health; moderation is key), but discussions of RDIs (Reference Daily Intakes, a set of references regarding the recommended dietary allowances for essential vitamins and minerals) and common terms on food labels (e.g., what makes a food "low calorie") may offer new insights even to super-healthy sorts. Those readers will also benefit from the detailed shopping list, menu plans, suggestions for dining out and host of recipes designed to aid in better health through education and practice. (Mar.)
~ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

“If you, like most Americans, are confused about what to eat, this is a must have book for you. Elisa shows you in a simple, practical way how to make better food choices without having to spend lots of extra time and effort and without giving up the foods you love. This is a book that really makes sense.”
~ James O. Hill, PhD, Director for the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and author of The Step Diet Book

“So What Can I Eat?! personalizes the latest dietary recommendations and really makes them work for you. Positive, attainable and gimmick-free, it is like having Elisa as your very own dietitian!”
~ Ellie Krieger, MS, RD, host of Food Network's Healthy Appetites and author of Small Changes, Big Results

“Elisa, noted nutrition consultant and American Dietetic Association spokeswoman, captures the essence of the Dietary Guidelines to help consumers follow eating plans that are helpful, healthy and delicious! Her practical tips and recipes in So What Can I Eat?! provide a sensible and scientific approach to eating right and staying fit.”
~ Judith A. Gilbride, PhD, RD, FADA, Chair, Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health, New York University

“Elisa Zied's So What Can I Eat?! presents an upbeat and user-friendly guide to understanding current federal nutrition guidelines. I highly recommend it.”
~ Lisa R. Young, PhD, RD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, New York University and author of The Portion Teller: Smartsize Your Way to Permanent Weight Loss

“This book is fabulous! Elisa reveals how eating healthfully can be a reality for everyone, as small dietary changes can make a world of difference. She guides readers through the process of evaluating their own dietary and lifestyle behaviors and making realistic changes based on sound science. Best of all, Elisa's genuine and positive approach makes the book relatable, accessible and encouraging for all readers!”

~ Lyssie Lakatos, RD, CDN and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RD, CDN, authors of Fire Up Your Metabolism: 9 Proven Principles for Burning Fat and Losing Weight Forever

“This book is a great option for those who are tired of fad diets and ready to adopt a sensible approach to healthy eating. Elisa's passion for sharing her professional and personal knowledge with others makes So What Can I Eat?! an inspiring, enjoyable read.”
~ Cynthia Sass, MPH, MA, RD, author of Your Diet is Driving Me Crazy

“In So What Can I Eat?!, Elisa explains the latest nutritional guidelines in an upbeat and encouraging tone and using a good common sense approach. This book is well worth owning, even if you don’t need to diet!”
~ Solomon Katz, PhD, Editor in Chief, Scribners Encyclopedia of Food and Culture

“Every month I receive books that do not fit neatly into any particular section, so let’s finish "My Picks" with So What Can I Eat? ($14.95, Wiley) by Elisa Zied, M.S., R.D. with Ruth Winter, M.S. I have known Ruth for a long time and she is one of the top medical and health writers in the nation. If she has teamed with Ms. Zied, you can bet this is a no-nonsense book that deals with facts, not fads. Ms. Zied is a registered dietitian who wants to help people discover how easy it is to enjoy healthy eating without feeling deprived. Based on the new Dietary Guidelines, this book helps you understand the guidelines and to make important lifestyle changes without necessarily giving up foods you have always enjoyed. I was very impressed by this book and I think you will be too.”
~ Alan Caruba, www.BookViews.com