cover image 2 Day Diabetes Diet

2 Day Diabetes Diet

Erin Palinski-Wade, with the editors of Reader’s Digest and Alisa Bowman. Reader’s Digest, $24.99 (320p) ISBN 978-1-62145-104-4

Combining a number of diet and fitness tactics such as fasting, a Mediterranean-based diet, and exercise, registered dietician Palinski-Wade, Reader’s Digest editors, and Bowman present a multifaceted approach to losing weight while keeping diabetes at bay. Based around the titular approach of “dieting” for two days (power burn days), followed by five days of still healthy eating and exercise, the program is a sensible approach that has worked for the 10 men and women who were recruited to try it out. Their stories and notes of encouragement are sprinkled throughout. Fifty recipes for standards like blueberry muffins and chili, as well as Honey-Lime Pork Chops and Eggplant Lasagna, can serve as jumping-off points for cooks; tips for incorporating packaged foods and recommendations for specific cuisines, such as Italian, Mexican, and Asian, give devotees greater freedom. Despite the authors’ eye-opening approach to food, the book’s sometimes patronizing approach and redundant content wears after a while. Dieters and diabetes patients will likely find a handful of helpful tips, but those looking for a magic bullet will find the book to be little more than common sense with a dash of science. (Dec.)