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Fit for Life
Nutrition specialists Harvey and Marilyn Diamond prove that it's not only what we eat, but also when and how that keep us trim and healthy. America's #1 health and diet book.
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
About the author
Harvey Diamond
54 books20 followersHarvey Diamond is the co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Fit for Life, which has sold over 12 million copies worldwide and been translated into 33 languages. Internationally known as an author, teacher, and health consultant, he has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV programs including Larry King Live, Oprah!, Nightline, and Good Morning America. He lives in Sarasota, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
July 29, 2012
This book was recommended to me by a coworker, and he said to power through the first third. How right he was. Diamond lays it on pretty thick, and more often than not, sounds like some New Age-y infomercial hack than a nutritionist. He spends a majority of the book hinting that he's figured out the secret to healthy living, but meanders around before he actually gets to the tenets of his eating philosophy—which at its very core is raw veganism.
That's fine. Put simply, Diamond advocates eating "more living food than dead food," positing that cooking your food kills precious enzymes that support better health. In practice, "Fit for Life" would have you subsist off of raw veggies and fruit. And if that's all you eat, of course you're going to lose weight. Eating more fresh fruits and veg, that's sound advice. My problem is that a majority of the "evidence" he puts forth is either 1) scientifically unsound or disproved; 2) anecdotal; and 3) sounds way too much like intelligent design.
To be fair, Diamond puts in a disclaimer about his profuse reference to "God"—but it has no place in a book where I'm trying learn more about eating healthy. It's one thing to tell me fruits are naturally full of all the vital nutrients needed by the human body. It's another to tell me that since fruit is so chock full of nutrients, it's evident that God intended humans to eat them. At one point he also says that since carnivorous animals only eat plant-eaters, it's obvious plants are the superior source of nutrition. This is spurious logic. Maybe carnivores target herbivores because they're easier to kill. Broad generalizations are not scientific fact.
Diamond is also extremely dodgy about the studies he presents. For one, he references Pottenger's cats—an experiment in which scientists studied two groups of cats that subsisted on diets of only raw or cooked meat (guess which group contracted more illnesses)—as proof that cooked food is bad for you. Last I checked, humans are not cats. As proven by animal testing, what works for animals does not always work for humans. Broad generalizations do not scientific facts make.
He also barely mentions the role of exercise in his diet, saying walking is sufficient to lose weight so long as you eat a diet of at least 50% raw food. What? I call bullshit.
All in all, I appreciate the wisdom behind eating more fresh fruit and veg. But the majority of this book is fluffed up rhetoric.
That's fine. Put simply, Diamond advocates eating "more living food than dead food," positing that cooking your food kills precious enzymes that support better health. In practice, "Fit for Life" would have you subsist off of raw veggies and fruit. And if that's all you eat, of course you're going to lose weight. Eating more fresh fruits and veg, that's sound advice. My problem is that a majority of the "evidence" he puts forth is either 1) scientifically unsound or disproved; 2) anecdotal; and 3) sounds way too much like intelligent design.
To be fair, Diamond puts in a disclaimer about his profuse reference to "God"—but it has no place in a book where I'm trying learn more about eating healthy. It's one thing to tell me fruits are naturally full of all the vital nutrients needed by the human body. It's another to tell me that since fruit is so chock full of nutrients, it's evident that God intended humans to eat them. At one point he also says that since carnivorous animals only eat plant-eaters, it's obvious plants are the superior source of nutrition. This is spurious logic. Maybe carnivores target herbivores because they're easier to kill. Broad generalizations are not scientific fact.
Diamond is also extremely dodgy about the studies he presents. For one, he references Pottenger's cats—an experiment in which scientists studied two groups of cats that subsisted on diets of only raw or cooked meat (guess which group contracted more illnesses)—as proof that cooked food is bad for you. Last I checked, humans are not cats. As proven by animal testing, what works for animals does not always work for humans. Broad generalizations do not scientific facts make.
He also barely mentions the role of exercise in his diet, saying walking is sufficient to lose weight so long as you eat a diet of at least 50% raw food. What? I call bullshit.
All in all, I appreciate the wisdom behind eating more fresh fruit and veg. But the majority of this book is fluffed up rhetoric.
August 4, 2010
If you are interested in learning about a healthier way of eating, then this book is for you. I bought this book when it was first published in the mid 1980′s. It is not a diet, but rather a modification of the way you eat. Yes, you will lose weight, but you will also feel better and have more energy. You can do as much or as little modification of your diet as you choose. While the authors stress a meat-free diet, and the underlying message is that a vegetarian or vegan diet is healthier, they recognize that not all of us can do a vegetarian diet and include recipes with meat and fish.
The criticisms of this program is that it lacks scientific backing. I don’t find that to be a concern; this is not a diet plan where you are taking pills or steered into unhealthy eating. You make as much or as little change to your diet to lose weight, gain energy and feel good. You will not be hungry on the Fit For Life program.
One of the permanent lifestyle changes I made from reading this book was to eat fruit in the morning and to stop eating heavy, calorie filled foods like pastry for breakfast. Okay, a few times a year I still have my bacon and pancakes, but the majority of the time I have fruit. The immediate result was to lose 5 pounds and it has stayed off and I feel better. I have incorporated many of the suggestions in this book into my diet and occasionally still refer back to it as a reference.
The criticisms of this program is that it lacks scientific backing. I don’t find that to be a concern; this is not a diet plan where you are taking pills or steered into unhealthy eating. You make as much or as little change to your diet to lose weight, gain energy and feel good. You will not be hungry on the Fit For Life program.
One of the permanent lifestyle changes I made from reading this book was to eat fruit in the morning and to stop eating heavy, calorie filled foods like pastry for breakfast. Okay, a few times a year I still have my bacon and pancakes, but the majority of the time I have fruit. The immediate result was to lose 5 pounds and it has stayed off and I feel better. I have incorporated many of the suggestions in this book into my diet and occasionally still refer back to it as a reference.
February 16, 2011
There are a lot of interesting concepts in this book. While it seemed odd to me that combining or NOT combining certain foods would help with digestion, I started to understand their point. Once they explained the fact that some foods are acidic and other alkaline and require certain "environments" in the gut to properly digest, I then GOT IT. For instance they describe eating a meat and potatoes dinner. Meat/flesh foods require an acidic environment to digest, so the body produces the appropriate acid to break the food down. But potatoes require an alkaline environment to digest. Going back to chemistry class in school, you probably know when you combine an acid and alkaline compound together they neutralize each other. It is then explained that this food ends up sitting in our stomachs and you get that yucky heavy feeling for so long and get tired and the list goes on and on.
I've been trying some of their techniques, and I have to say, while it may be a bit difficult to live this plan to a "T", I certainly am not opposed to adapting it as much as possible to my life eating habits. I have noticed how much better I feel and started to even lose some inches!
Since am very involved and interested in fitness, I have always encouraged my clients to 'eat more protein'! This book introduced a concept that I didn't even think about. Protein is just a make up of amino acids. Eating too much of the flesh foods (meats) can create an over abundance of uric acid and toxins in the body that can also lead to inflammation in the tissues. So if proteins are comprised of amino acids.....and the body keeps these amino acids in a 'reserve pool' (for the lack of a better term) to pull from......then perhaps flesh foods aren't needed as much as I have been led to believe! Many fruits and vegetables and grains contain the amino acids that can contribute to this pool and the body can still reap the benefits of the appropriate amino acids to build and maintain muscle mass. I am needing to study this concept more before I completely buy it, but it is quite intriguing to think about it this way.
Well worth the read and has a number of recipes in the back that provides great ideas on how to prepare tasty dishes and not feel deprived.
I've been trying some of their techniques, and I have to say, while it may be a bit difficult to live this plan to a "T", I certainly am not opposed to adapting it as much as possible to my life eating habits. I have noticed how much better I feel and started to even lose some inches!
Since am very involved and interested in fitness, I have always encouraged my clients to 'eat more protein'! This book introduced a concept that I didn't even think about. Protein is just a make up of amino acids. Eating too much of the flesh foods (meats) can create an over abundance of uric acid and toxins in the body that can also lead to inflammation in the tissues. So if proteins are comprised of amino acids.....and the body keeps these amino acids in a 'reserve pool' (for the lack of a better term) to pull from......then perhaps flesh foods aren't needed as much as I have been led to believe! Many fruits and vegetables and grains contain the amino acids that can contribute to this pool and the body can still reap the benefits of the appropriate amino acids to build and maintain muscle mass. I am needing to study this concept more before I completely buy it, but it is quite intriguing to think about it this way.
Well worth the read and has a number of recipes in the back that provides great ideas on how to prepare tasty dishes and not feel deprived.
August 16, 2022
I read this when it first came out nearly 40 years and since I am becoming more and more interested in food combining, I thought it was time to re-read it.
All of it makes perfect sense to me and is perfectly suited to vegans. My only bone to pick is that vinegar and tea are highly discouraged and I love a tall glass of decaf Earl Grey with stevia or monk fruit to sweeten it or my lovely Japanese decaf green tea by YamaMotoYama, a company that has been in business for more years than I can count.
I love Balsamic vinegar so am unlikely to get rid of it, so I can only follow this book about 95% and that is good enough for me !
All of it makes perfect sense to me and is perfectly suited to vegans. My only bone to pick is that vinegar and tea are highly discouraged and I love a tall glass of decaf Earl Grey with stevia or monk fruit to sweeten it or my lovely Japanese decaf green tea by YamaMotoYama, a company that has been in business for more years than I can count.
I love Balsamic vinegar so am unlikely to get rid of it, so I can only follow this book about 95% and that is good enough for me !
January 11, 2018
Es realmente muy buen método porque se integra en la forma de vida de cada uno, con su lectura, de verdad te das cuenta siendo consciente de lo que comes y cambias tus hábitos por puro amor a tu cuerpo y empiezas a sentirte mejor. más que leerlo lo estudié, lo aprendí y lo apliqué al 80% puesto que cuando se come fuera o en comidas sociales no es fácil... muy recomendable si de verdad quieres comer sano y sentirte mejor.
January 28, 2020
27/01
Voy a intentar el programa por 2 meses y después les contare ü.
Voy a intentar el programa por 2 meses y después les contare ü.
August 24, 2010
I won a copy of Fit for Life by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond through Goodreads First Reads program. I was happy to read the book because I'm somewhat obsessed with healthy eating and fitness.
This was a 3.5 star book for me. What I liked about the concept of the book is that it's not a straight-up diet book. You follow guidelines for healthy eating but you're not required to eat specific foods. Since I'm a vegetarian (as are the authors) I agree with their theory that 70% of what you eat should be fruits and vegetables.
Some of their theories, such as food combining,the timing of eating certain foods, and detoxification I'm not so sure about. I'm kind of old-fashioned in my thinking about dieting. I still believe that a calorie is a calorie and the more you eat the more weight you're going to gain. One theory the authors coninually stress throughout the book is that only fruit and fruit juice should be consumed until 12 noon because fruit digests quickly and since up until noon your body is busy in "elimination" mode, more of your body's energy can be devoted to the work of elimination if it doen't have to work so hard on the digestion of food. In my mind, you're going to lose weight if you only eat fruit for several hours of the day because fruit contains fewer calories than other "tradional" breakfast foods. I personally don't eat heavy breakfasts but I see nothing wrong with having a piece of whole wheat toast with a couple of teaspoons of peanut butter for breakfast.
I really like the recipes at the back of the book and there are several I'd like to try. Some of them that sound especialy good to me are Perfect Creamy Califlower Soup, Garlic String Beans, and Mediterranean Rice Salad.
I think if you follow the guidlines in this book you will ultimately lose weight simply because you'll end up eating fewer calories by consuming more fruit and vegetables. Also, the authors do stress the importance of doing at least 30 minutes of cardiac exercise daily, which naturally will contribute to weight loss and a healthier lifestyle.
In short, the book wasn't bad it's just that the theories and reasonings were kind of strange and I'm not fully convinced of their validity. To me, eating healthily is mostly just common sense. I was kind of disapponited to see that there wasn't more information on specific exercises in the short chapter on exercise but the one thing I have to say I really like about the book is the recipes.
This was a 3.5 star book for me. What I liked about the concept of the book is that it's not a straight-up diet book. You follow guidelines for healthy eating but you're not required to eat specific foods. Since I'm a vegetarian (as are the authors) I agree with their theory that 70% of what you eat should be fruits and vegetables.
Some of their theories, such as food combining,the timing of eating certain foods, and detoxification I'm not so sure about. I'm kind of old-fashioned in my thinking about dieting. I still believe that a calorie is a calorie and the more you eat the more weight you're going to gain. One theory the authors coninually stress throughout the book is that only fruit and fruit juice should be consumed until 12 noon because fruit digests quickly and since up until noon your body is busy in "elimination" mode, more of your body's energy can be devoted to the work of elimination if it doen't have to work so hard on the digestion of food. In my mind, you're going to lose weight if you only eat fruit for several hours of the day because fruit contains fewer calories than other "tradional" breakfast foods. I personally don't eat heavy breakfasts but I see nothing wrong with having a piece of whole wheat toast with a couple of teaspoons of peanut butter for breakfast.
I really like the recipes at the back of the book and there are several I'd like to try. Some of them that sound especialy good to me are Perfect Creamy Califlower Soup, Garlic String Beans, and Mediterranean Rice Salad.
I think if you follow the guidlines in this book you will ultimately lose weight simply because you'll end up eating fewer calories by consuming more fruit and vegetables. Also, the authors do stress the importance of doing at least 30 minutes of cardiac exercise daily, which naturally will contribute to weight loss and a healthier lifestyle.
In short, the book wasn't bad it's just that the theories and reasonings were kind of strange and I'm not fully convinced of their validity. To me, eating healthily is mostly just common sense. I was kind of disapponited to see that there wasn't more information on specific exercises in the short chapter on exercise but the one thing I have to say I really like about the book is the recipes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2011
Glad I read it - reads like a lot of the other health books I have read lately so it is nice that even in the 80s there was someone saying, "Eat Mostly Plants" just like Micheal Pollan today. The writing was pretty terrible actually, not that I would expect a lot of a health book but I felt as if I was listening to a used car salesman with all his "funny " one-liners. Furthermore I didn't feel like the book was very scientific as it didn't state a lot of research to back of the theories. That is one thing that I prefer about Pollan, he is very scientific and is able to back up his arguments with data from around the world.
Anyway here are the cliffnotes for the book.
- We should be eating 70% plant-based food.
- Morning are for digesting so don't eat anything but fruit or juice until noon.
- Then only eat salads, soups and simple sandwiches.
- Its all about food combining
--eat fruit alone
--if you MUST have dairy (which you shouldn't) don't eat it with carbs as the two stomach enzymes cancel neutralize each other and make you have to work harder to process food, making you tired and toxic
--if you MUST eat meat (which you shouldn't) don't combine it with carbs
--several carbs and be together
--no two proteins should be together
--don't drink water with a meal
--don't eat after 8 as this is time for digesting
The second half of the book is filled with recipes that one can follow for the 28 day detox. I FULLY believe that eating mostly plants, with no dairy, meat, caffeine, little sugar, little fats and no processed foods IS THE WAY TO GO AND I WOULD FEEL SO MUCH BETTER IF I DID. I just don't know if I can follow this way of eating. I like pizza! I like coffee! I like pasta with cheese. But I am partially there on the path so hopefully I can add it some more of his tips. It would be very hard not to combine carbs and protein ever again though.
Anyway here are the cliffnotes for the book.
- We should be eating 70% plant-based food.
- Morning are for digesting so don't eat anything but fruit or juice until noon.
- Then only eat salads, soups and simple sandwiches.
- Its all about food combining
--eat fruit alone
--if you MUST have dairy (which you shouldn't) don't eat it with carbs as the two stomach enzymes cancel neutralize each other and make you have to work harder to process food, making you tired and toxic
--if you MUST eat meat (which you shouldn't) don't combine it with carbs
--several carbs and be together
--no two proteins should be together
--don't drink water with a meal
--don't eat after 8 as this is time for digesting
The second half of the book is filled with recipes that one can follow for the 28 day detox. I FULLY believe that eating mostly plants, with no dairy, meat, caffeine, little sugar, little fats and no processed foods IS THE WAY TO GO AND I WOULD FEEL SO MUCH BETTER IF I DID. I just don't know if I can follow this way of eating. I like pizza! I like coffee! I like pasta with cheese. But I am partially there on the path so hopefully I can add it some more of his tips. It would be very hard not to combine carbs and protein ever again though.
August 8, 2007
Not realistic... need to be in cult to follow....
February 18, 2015
Great weight loss method but very hard to do and the theories have been disproved scientifically. Actually got anemic while doing this, so although I lost a lot of weight it was not that healthy.
April 21, 2022
Here’s the thing about _Fit for Life_: it’s bad writing. It’s bad journalism. It’s bad science.
It probably works anyway.
The writing: this book is filled with so many explanation points that it reads as if it were written by that guy on TV trying to sell you a used car at two in the morning. Reading this book, I felt less like a guy learning about a health program than a guy sitting through a timeshare presentation.
The journalism: this book is loaded with baseless assertions and dubious references. For real: it even sources ‘The Weekly World News’ at one point. Don’t get me wrong - if I want to read up on the latest doings of Bat Boy, the WWW is my go-to. If I want actual facts, however, I’m going to look elsewhere.
The science: there really isn’t any. There’s a lot of hand-waving about “has been linked to …” and a lot of fulminating against the scientific establishment, but the authors offer precious little actual data. They even offer outright untruths, such as an assertion that human beings have not evolved to digest cow’s milk. In fact, most Americans have evolved to do precisely that, such that lactose intolerance is the exception and not the rule. There are more falsehoods about cooked foods, how digestion works, and so forth.
And yet, the Fit for Life program probably works anyway. Eat only fruit and fruit juices before lunch? Ok. That’s a lot of sugar, but still, fruit’s generally healthy. Eat a salad for lunch? I’m with you. Be deliberate about your food choices? Still on the same team. Don’t overeat, ever? Sure thing. Exercise every day? Oh, yeah. Even if the path the authors take to get to this advice is mostly hokum, it’s still good advice and will probably make you healthier.
In the end, _Fit for Life_ is not a good book. However, it offers good advice all the same. I suppose you could do worse.
It probably works anyway.
The writing: this book is filled with so many explanation points that it reads as if it were written by that guy on TV trying to sell you a used car at two in the morning. Reading this book, I felt less like a guy learning about a health program than a guy sitting through a timeshare presentation.
The journalism: this book is loaded with baseless assertions and dubious references. For real: it even sources ‘The Weekly World News’ at one point. Don’t get me wrong - if I want to read up on the latest doings of Bat Boy, the WWW is my go-to. If I want actual facts, however, I’m going to look elsewhere.
The science: there really isn’t any. There’s a lot of hand-waving about “has been linked to …” and a lot of fulminating against the scientific establishment, but the authors offer precious little actual data. They even offer outright untruths, such as an assertion that human beings have not evolved to digest cow’s milk. In fact, most Americans have evolved to do precisely that, such that lactose intolerance is the exception and not the rule. There are more falsehoods about cooked foods, how digestion works, and so forth.
And yet, the Fit for Life program probably works anyway. Eat only fruit and fruit juices before lunch? Ok. That’s a lot of sugar, but still, fruit’s generally healthy. Eat a salad for lunch? I’m with you. Be deliberate about your food choices? Still on the same team. Don’t overeat, ever? Sure thing. Exercise every day? Oh, yeah. Even if the path the authors take to get to this advice is mostly hokum, it’s still good advice and will probably make you healthier.
In the end, _Fit for Life_ is not a good book. However, it offers good advice all the same. I suppose you could do worse.
February 25, 2013
one of the best books i've read, containing a whole new approach to food, first chapter explains it all DIETS DONT WORK. we need a balanced lifestyle, and this is true, like the author i tried a lot of 'diets' to feel good mainly, i truly believe that what we eat is energy going in and what we chose, the type of that energy whether good or bad will affect us as human beings with moods and health not to mention on a cellular level, most of us are starving on the inside, we eat empty calories and are undernourished because we have become slaves to food, not only attached to eating junk but letting that food affect how we feel and out mood, and this is just the worst kind of enslavement. food combing is scientific, and reliable, you may still be weak to breaking your eating habits, but making a small effort to minor changes that are discussed in the book can go a long way to helping you reach your fitness goals and be generally healthier, you will know this is true once u try just one approach, for me it was the water and food combining, after trying this out i became no longer bloated after meals, no gas and no indigestion. same thing with fruits, i know protein fills u up in the morning but fruit gives u energy, its carbs and can be assimilated quickly and really REALLY when eaten in the morning helps u detox (you will experience regular bowl movements). i will incorporate the methods listed in this book and i will expand my reading regarding the natural hygiene theory. this is by far one of the best books i have read. recommended to all.
October 4, 2021
Obviously eating primarily fruits and vegetables, little to no dairy, little to no meat and no sugar would help everyone lose weight.
Basically he's trying to sell a veganistic/vegetarian lifestyle under the guise of being able to eat anything you want.
This book is written like an infomercial script.
He says that lions and other carnivors like to eat deer and other plant eaters because they are healthier. Well by that logic eating cows should be just great right?
The scientific evidence is pretty ridiculous at times and completely lacking at others.
At one point he says "there is no nutritional, physiological, or psychological justification for meat eating by humans."
First of all, I disagree and I'm sure I could find scientific evidence to prove it. Secondly, be honest with your marketing and sell this as a vegan book.
One page in this book is just filled with the words "DO NOT OVEREAT" about 50 times. Thanks for the weight-loss advice, I couldn't have figured that part out on my own ever.
One last criticism, my husband is Asian. All of the recipes are pretty much things that won't go over well in my house and swearing off rice for life is simply not going to happen.
I'm sure this diet will work for many people but it isn't a lifestyle I'm interested in pursuing at all.
Basically he's trying to sell a veganistic/vegetarian lifestyle under the guise of being able to eat anything you want.
This book is written like an infomercial script.
He says that lions and other carnivors like to eat deer and other plant eaters because they are healthier. Well by that logic eating cows should be just great right?
The scientific evidence is pretty ridiculous at times and completely lacking at others.
At one point he says "there is no nutritional, physiological, or psychological justification for meat eating by humans."
First of all, I disagree and I'm sure I could find scientific evidence to prove it. Secondly, be honest with your marketing and sell this as a vegan book.
One page in this book is just filled with the words "DO NOT OVEREAT" about 50 times. Thanks for the weight-loss advice, I couldn't have figured that part out on my own ever.
One last criticism, my husband is Asian. All of the recipes are pretty much things that won't go over well in my house and swearing off rice for life is simply not going to happen.
I'm sure this diet will work for many people but it isn't a lifestyle I'm interested in pursuing at all.
July 18, 2019
I bought this book because I heard about it through other books I had read about colon health and lifestyle changes. It sat on my shelf for over 5 years. I finally decided to read it based on the reviews I read here on goodreads after I re-found the book a few weeks ago.
Boy am I glad I read this. Having had a number of digestive issues over the years and unsightly weight gain I knew I had to make some drastic changes. I had made many over the years but many, I found after reading this book, where just improperly combined good ideas. As I read the book I implemented the program and noticed a marked difference in energy in just a day. Some of the other reviews complain about the amount of time to prepare the food in the menus. I have not used any of the menus and only the simple principals which takes far less time than most recipes I've followed in the past.
Boy am I glad I read this. Having had a number of digestive issues over the years and unsightly weight gain I knew I had to make some drastic changes. I had made many over the years but many, I found after reading this book, where just improperly combined good ideas. As I read the book I implemented the program and noticed a marked difference in energy in just a day. Some of the other reviews complain about the amount of time to prepare the food in the menus. I have not used any of the menus and only the simple principals which takes far less time than most recipes I've followed in the past.
May 13, 2017
I read Fit For Life II 20 years ago but have just read Harvey's first edition recently. The natural health college I'm attending (UNH) bases a lot of fundamental information they teach on Dr. Herbert Shelton's health principles. The author apparently does too which makes Fit For Life one of the best natural health books out there! It incorporates the importance of food combining, including more high water content foods (70% raw), minimizing concentrated foods (30% cooked), and the scientific reasoning behind it all. Very well written for anyone to read! Definitely an intelligent, common sense tool for understanding our body's cycles and how to take care of it!
July 2, 2016
This has been my nutrition bible since I read it. The information still holds up 30+ years later.
September 8, 2017
I have high praises for this book. Had I read it a year or more before (now), I would not have appreciated it as much as I appreciate it now. This has been marketed ALSO as a diet book and I understand that because it is an extremely popular niche. But this is really more of a HEALTH BOOK. I like it because it doesn't emphasize so much on healthy lifestyle and food. I mean, yes (of course) it does🙄, but it's not overly done. 😜 It is more like giving you an insight on how food works and how our bodies work with them, which ones work best, etc. Everything has been explained well and in a way that is very easy to understand.
I also really adore this book mainly because it offers a new mindset on eating. That is how this book tries to work with its readers. It inspires, rather than condemns. It doesn't set limits on you and doesn't even impose on you. Well, it does (here I go again 🙄) but in a very subtle way. 😉
Another thing, as I read the book on Part 1, I actually imagine myself eating fruits and salads for the rest of my life. I know they don't impose (Hah! 🙄😅), but when you try to picture the best foods they recommend, those are the only food my mind came up with: fruits and vegetables (all in raw form). Maybe because of the emphasis on unaltered food (food in its most natural state) to be the easiest food for the stomach. But to my surprise, Part 2 with Marilyn showed me the many options I didn't know I had! There are chowders and soups that sound delicious, sandwiches (goodness, my mind never came up with that), cooked vegetables, pasta, tortillas, and more! Options are always good and welcome. There is also a 4-week sample meal plan in Part 2 with variety and they all come with recipes (meal plans daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner)! 😁👍🏻👏🏻
Everything (the principles in this book) is summed up on page 84, and there are only 3. VERY EASY TO REMEMBER! But of course you have to read the book to understand them. You can even do JUST 1 for a start. I only did the first one (breakfast) and so far, I like it. Breakfasts are easy and quick to prepare (like literally in "no time") and I don't even have to "think" about it. That's my favorite part and this is also the easiest. I'm still transitioning with the others but I take my time because that feels best for me (and the book says it too). There's no pressure here and I'm working on it, little by little.
It's been 2 weeks now and so far so good. I don't think I'll be going back to the old diet I used to have. I don't know why, but somehow, I've found myself a new world in the food category and I actually have been in search for this for a while. This book sealed the deal for me so there's no going back. Thank you, Harvey and Marilyn Diamond, for writing this book. Written in the 1970's but just as true and even more beneficial in our world today. Every human being who eats should read this book and give it a try.
I also really adore this book mainly because it offers a new mindset on eating. That is how this book tries to work with its readers. It inspires, rather than condemns. It doesn't set limits on you and doesn't even impose on you. Well, it does (here I go again 🙄) but in a very subtle way. 😉
Another thing, as I read the book on Part 1, I actually imagine myself eating fruits and salads for the rest of my life. I know they don't impose (Hah! 🙄😅), but when you try to picture the best foods they recommend, those are the only food my mind came up with: fruits and vegetables (all in raw form). Maybe because of the emphasis on unaltered food (food in its most natural state) to be the easiest food for the stomach. But to my surprise, Part 2 with Marilyn showed me the many options I didn't know I had! There are chowders and soups that sound delicious, sandwiches (goodness, my mind never came up with that), cooked vegetables, pasta, tortillas, and more! Options are always good and welcome. There is also a 4-week sample meal plan in Part 2 with variety and they all come with recipes (meal plans daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner)! 😁👍🏻👏🏻
Everything (the principles in this book) is summed up on page 84, and there are only 3. VERY EASY TO REMEMBER! But of course you have to read the book to understand them. You can even do JUST 1 for a start. I only did the first one (breakfast) and so far, I like it. Breakfasts are easy and quick to prepare (like literally in "no time") and I don't even have to "think" about it. That's my favorite part and this is also the easiest. I'm still transitioning with the others but I take my time because that feels best for me (and the book says it too). There's no pressure here and I'm working on it, little by little.
It's been 2 weeks now and so far so good. I don't think I'll be going back to the old diet I used to have. I don't know why, but somehow, I've found myself a new world in the food category and I actually have been in search for this for a while. This book sealed the deal for me so there's no going back. Thank you, Harvey and Marilyn Diamond, for writing this book. Written in the 1970's but just as true and even more beneficial in our world today. Every human being who eats should read this book and give it a try.
May 17, 2020
Written by two nutritionist specialists in the 70s, this book explains how you can look and feel the best, mainly by eating “Live food”, meaning fresh vegetables and fruits. If the human body’s 70 % is water and the earth is made of 70% water, why not, eating food made of 70% water? The authors argue that humans are the only species that cook the food, where all good minerals and nutrients are destroyed. We also have a tendency to take them as granted and not value them when they are free. Indeed, there are so many truly good things that God has provided, such as air, water, fruits and vegetables in nature, yet we tend to find our nutritional or dietary solution elsewhere. I feel the same way about “salvation”, so freely given and we tend to ignore how truly precious it is, when God the creator provided a way of redemption and eternal life. Now back to the book review, there are several good points regarding fit for life strategy.
~ Better to eat one food group at a time, instead of eating them together. (No buffet)
~ Protein with fruits or veggie is good; but never protein with carbohydrate (No steak and potato) because certain combination of food promotes good health while others are harmful
~ The main principle here involves consuming predominantly “Live food” with high water content; then no need to drink too much water
~ Dead food = highly refined
~ Live food, rejuvenate and cleanse the body
~ Dairy products can cause allergies and should be consumed rarely!
~ Water should never be consumed during meals because it dilutes digestive juices
~ Fruits should be eaten along without other food
September 2, 2021
I read this back in the 90s, and tried to follow some of it, I skipped just fruit in the morning as didn't suit, but found food combining helpful at the time. With knowledge since then, that was actually because I needed needed less dairy and wheat as slightly intolerant, and also too much carbohydrates generally doesn't agree, rather than any specific benefit from following this book, which I never could do fully.
Bought this on Kindle under the 99p deal out of curiousity to see my opinion after a couple of decades, and wow, just so woo science. The initial testament from a person ascribed with MD at preface is the first indication that you need to put aside any scientific evidence expectations, and is curiously stilted as well for an educated person, which does make me suspect where that person may have acquired the MD badge...
Then is Harvey's section of the book which always read like an old school doorstep pressure salesman, referring to Nirvana but never really getting there but certainly loving to waffle.
Marilyn was always the easier to read of the two, and the recipes always seemed to be ok on their own, it's just their 'philosophy' (sales talk) that wraps around it which should be treated with much scepticism.
So incredibly woo, worth picking up to see what I thought after so long but now returned and I'm going to put my original book which is still somewhere at home in the recycling bin (not done for many, usually give to charity) as just not something I would want people to follow.
Bought this on Kindle under the 99p deal out of curiousity to see my opinion after a couple of decades, and wow, just so woo science. The initial testament from a person ascribed with MD at preface is the first indication that you need to put aside any scientific evidence expectations, and is curiously stilted as well for an educated person, which does make me suspect where that person may have acquired the MD badge...
Then is Harvey's section of the book which always read like an old school doorstep pressure salesman, referring to Nirvana but never really getting there but certainly loving to waffle.
Marilyn was always the easier to read of the two, and the recipes always seemed to be ok on their own, it's just their 'philosophy' (sales talk) that wraps around it which should be treated with much scepticism.
So incredibly woo, worth picking up to see what I thought after so long but now returned and I'm going to put my original book which is still somewhere at home in the recycling bin (not done for many, usually give to charity) as just not something I would want people to follow.
May 18, 2019
I can't believe I had not heard about this book until now. I was able to hear Harvey speak about this topic in a private fb group I was in recently. I was so intrigued by what he was saying, I bought the book. Loved it! He explains, in very simple terms, that it's not just important what you eat, but it's also when and in what combination with other types of foods. I've already incorporated his only fruit til noon program as well as the no eating after 8pm. I've already seen a marked difference in my energy levels, which I thought were fine to begin with. I learned much about digestion and the energy the body expends to do so. The one part that I plan to try, but it will be more of a challenge will be the food combining. That's going to be a major switch in behavior. Harvey and his wife give a bunch of recipes in the back of the book that look really good. This is a book I will keep and refer back to often.
December 25, 2020
I first read this book in the early 1990s. At the time I followed about a quarter of the advice in it and did successfully lose weight and kept the weight off for as long as I actively maintained the approach. I took the same approach this time and have lost a few pounds so far in the time span of six weeks, I have eliminated all migraine headaches, and greatly reduced inflammation. However, I remain skeptical of the claims in this book. I do not believe that the authors are dietitians or have any background in nutrition science and thus I believe remaining skeptical of the advice in this book is appropriate. What has stuck is the idea of eating only fruit in the morning till lunch, eating as much high water (fruits and vegetables) foods as possible, and avoiding processed foods. In hunting for recipes I’ve realized that many of the diets popular today - paleo, keto, nutritarian, Whole30, have several elements of the “natural hygiene” approach touted here.
November 30, 2018
I read this on my husband's recommendation. He described it as a new way of eating as opposed to a diet. I think that is an accurate description. The biggest thing that I took from this book was the recommendation to only eat fruit in the morning and then eat the rest of your food for the day in particular combinations. All of this works together to aid digestion, and promote overall health and weight-loss. The book was a bit repetitive, but fairly easy to read. Even though this program has been labeled a fad diet by some experts, some of what the Diamonds promote does make good sense. I think the plan is definitely worth a try and does not promote anything that seems unhealthy. I think the total plan would be difficult to maintain, but for people with digestion issues it would be worth it.
February 24, 2019
I read this back in the 80s when it first came out, and I wasn't overly impressed. I just re-read it for interest, and nothing has improved. My criticism is that this book has very little scientific evidence in it. Instead what you will receive is a whole series of arguments regarding why a particular food or practice is beneficial. Arguments are fine if you're reading philosophy, but I don't want to hear arguments in a diet book. I just want scientific evidence.
In addition, by his own admission, this isn't a diet book. Although at times he definitely writes as if it were. Basically, here is his thesis :
1. Detoxing is a real thing
2. If you do Fit for Life you will detox
3. Once you detox you will lose weight.
That's it really. If you don't believe in detoxing (as I don't), then you won't like much in Fit For Life.
In addition, by his own admission, this isn't a diet book. Although at times he definitely writes as if it were. Basically, here is his thesis :
1. Detoxing is a real thing
2. If you do Fit for Life you will detox
3. Once you detox you will lose weight.
That's it really. If you don't believe in detoxing (as I don't), then you won't like much in Fit For Life.
July 7, 2019
Read this book over 17 years ago. Still the best diet advice I've read. I started slow, only applying morning and lunch. After 6 months I realized I had lost weight and was feeling better. I decided to go full-blown and incorporate morning lunch and dinner. So within another year I went from a size 12 to a size 4, with no diet pills, no protein shakes, no protein bars and no special diet/program supplements. Just proper combination of food with majority of meals being fruits or vegetables. Had more energy and clear thinking and no stomach issues for the first time in my life. With more energy I did up my workouts from three times a week to six. This works.
November 21, 2020
I got this book from my cousin in 1996 who had weight issues.
I have no idea how, but I started to apply it, and I was not overweight, did not have weight nor health issues.
I took out meat out of my meals, was respecting not to mix carbs with diaries, etc. Eat as max raw fruits and vegetables, eat fruits only for breakfast.
Two years after, I started to lose my hair significantly, and it did not stop. It seems my body god out of balance completely.
Watch out for this dangerous book, I do not recommend to anyone this kind of eating tips. In addition as I recall, the authors are not doctors, nor they studied nutrition.
I have no idea how, but I started to apply it, and I was not overweight, did not have weight nor health issues.
I took out meat out of my meals, was respecting not to mix carbs with diaries, etc. Eat as max raw fruits and vegetables, eat fruits only for breakfast.
Two years after, I started to lose my hair significantly, and it did not stop. It seems my body god out of balance completely.
Watch out for this dangerous book, I do not recommend to anyone this kind of eating tips. In addition as I recall, the authors are not doctors, nor they studied nutrition.
January 3, 2021
Jesse Itzler referenced it in an interview, and I gave it a go. Good introduction to Natural Hygiene that will recalibrate how you think of your digestion.
Broken into two sections: husband/wife. The two sections, in my opinion, are not harmonized and tend to differ in tone. Husband says this is not a diet and to be flexible. Wife is much more rigid, and obnoxiously dedicates an entire page to the repeated phrase 'Do Not Overeat.'
Though the disconnect in tone may frustrate a reader's execution of their lifestyle structure, the book still served to meaningfully peak my interest in nutrition.
Broken into two sections: husband/wife. The two sections, in my opinion, are not harmonized and tend to differ in tone. Husband says this is not a diet and to be flexible. Wife is much more rigid, and obnoxiously dedicates an entire page to the repeated phrase 'Do Not Overeat.'
Though the disconnect in tone may frustrate a reader's execution of their lifestyle structure, the book still served to meaningfully peak my interest in nutrition.
June 7, 2021
While I am not sold on the idea of “food combining” I am all in for a plant-based food plan. This was very helpful to assist me in getting back to that. Sometimes we just need a plan. Starting the day with fruit and then moving onto vegetables was a very good plan for me. I am still using it. It has been nearly six months and I have lost weight and have regained my sense of physical wellness.
Personally, I did not add meat as a protein later in the day. I do occasionally have eggs and sometimes salmon, mostly nutritional yeast.
This book helped me get my feet back on the ground regarding feeding my body in ways that would assist it in healing itself.
Personally, I did not add meat as a protein later in the day. I do occasionally have eggs and sometimes salmon, mostly nutritional yeast.
This book helped me get my feet back on the ground regarding feeding my body in ways that would assist it in healing itself.
August 26, 2020
As some have said a few concepts in this book may not be based in proven science but this book has encouraged me to visit my fruit and vege market more frequently and the butcher to its next door. I've lost weight and do indeed feel better by accepting most concepts in this book as fact despite outside criticism
Some important take aways are natural hygeine, of course fruit til noon (which I've applied with good results), concentrated foods, considering efficiency of your digestive system, avoiding eating while drinking
Some important take aways are natural hygeine, of course fruit til noon (which I've applied with good results), concentrated foods, considering efficiency of your digestive system, avoiding eating while drinking
June 4, 2021
Great source of information on proper diet and nutrition
I first read this book in paperback over 30 years ago. Not so much for the purposes of losing weight, but to help digestive issues as a result of always eating proteins and carbs or "starches" together. The part about cows milk also enabled us, over a period of about 3 months, to remove our 4 year old son from the hospital waiting list for an operation to have grommets fitted for glue ear. Can't recommend this book highly enough.
I first read this book in paperback over 30 years ago. Not so much for the purposes of losing weight, but to help digestive issues as a result of always eating proteins and carbs or "starches" together. The part about cows milk also enabled us, over a period of about 3 months, to remove our 4 year old son from the hospital waiting list for an operation to have grommets fitted for glue ear. Can't recommend this book highly enough.
August 1, 2023
There are some interesting concepts in this book that make perfect sense. It is a bit misleading when it indicates that this way of eating is simple. I personally found it to be a bit complicated. I also don’t believe animal protein is as bad as this book makes it out to be. Our family has decided to try a few of the ideas from the book but I’m not sure I could eat like this 100% of the time. Definitely worth reading if you are trying to understand different healthy lifestyles and are intrigued by food combining and how it can help your digestion process.
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