Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Driven by the excellent reviews and by my enjoyment of Prevention's "Flat Belly Diet" book I decided to purchase this book.
Whether it was planned to sound like the popular diet or merely a coincidence, it is important to note that this book is NOT a companion to Prevention's "Flat Belly Diet". With the title I had expected the book to tie in to Prevention's popular plan but it does not. This book makes use of artificial sugar (splenda), does not include MUFAs etc. The two books are totally unrelated. So if you are looking for a cook book for the Prevention book "Flat Belly Diet" you will want to look elsewhere.
The cookbook "The Everything Flat Belly Diet" boasts many good points. The authors open with a discussion on belly fat and share how what you eat is 80 percent responsible for your weight. They include tips on getting the most for your calorie buck and they include step by step directions for abdominal exercises - what to do and when to do them. Another nice factor in the book is the tidbits the authors add to the end of each recipe. Little tips like when to eat your largest meal, using lettuce instead of bread etc.
The authors include 300 recipes they claim will help you shed belly fat. Each recipe includes calories, fat, carbs, protein, sodium and fiber. Recipes are laid out in an easy to read fashion in the 292 page soft cover book. Chapters include; Flat Belly Philosophy, Rise and Shine, It's Breakfast Time!, Lunch Break, Snack Time and more.
The main disappointment in this book is some of the recipes. I was stunned as I read through a few of them. I like simple but these were to simple. For example;
Carrot Dippers (Carrot Sticks, Peanut Butter)
Dip carrots in peanut butter and enjoy.
Pickles in Blankets (Pickles, Fat Free Cheese)
Wrap each pickle in a cheese slice and enjoy.
Peanut Butter Apple Slices - (Apple, Peanut Butter)
Can you guess how to make this one?
If they had just been listed as snack suggestions it would have been fine but each of the above recipes and more like them were given there own separate page in the book. Some of the recipes were just plain disappointing. The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe for example involves mixing a prepared cookie mix with egg beaters and syrup. Cheesy fries has you baking prepared frozen french fries and sprinkling on cheese.
In fairness to the author there are some great dishes with simple preparation. If you are not fond of cooking but want to eat low fat this book may be a good choice for you. Sample recipes include; Steak and Caesar Salad, Cannellini Minestrone and Coq au Vin. If you like to cook, this book is most likely to simplistic for you.
The second disappointment is the book lacks photographs. Mouth watering photos do a lot to help me want to prepare a dish. And this book has none.
Personally I find that including healthy fats in my diet is a good thing and I am following a higher fat program which works much better for me. However,
if you want very simple to make low fat recipes with some tips for a flat belly included this may be the right cookbook for you. If you are looking for a companion to Prevention's "Flat Belly Diet", enjoy cooking and/or don't want to use Splenda select a different book.
Bon Apetit!
~ Lee Mellott
Click Here to see more reviews about: The Everything Flat Belly Cookbook: 300 Quick and Easy Recipes to help drop the belly fat and tone your abs (Everything (Cooking))
Potbelly. Muffin top. Menopot.Many people know they need to lose that weight around their middle?but how should they do it? With this cookbook, you benefit from the latest abs diets and learn the culinary secrets to banishing the bulge forever. Author and fitness expert ?Fitz? Koehler shows you what to eat to tone that tummy, including:
Low-Fat Cheesy Fries
Muscle Muffins
Sweet-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Asparagus Pesto Flatbread Pizza
Fat-Free Strawberry Shortcake
Citrus Crunch Pork Chops
Tilapia Parmesan
With 300 delicious recipes, strategic meal plans, and spot-on ab exercises, you can cook up a flatter stomach in no time!
