Happy Camper 2008-10-26
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
I was curious about this newly-popular book since it is based more on when you eat than what you eat, which makes it somewhat similar to The 3:00 PM Secret. The No S Diet is simple and elegant, having just 3 rules - No Snacks - No Sweets - No Second helpings. These rules apply except on days that start with "S", namely, Saturdays, Sundays, and Special days, where "Special" days are defined as birthdays, holidays, and sick days. The key rule as described by the author is "no snacks", and he defines snacks as anything you eat between meals. In other words, don't eat between meals - period - except on S days.
The author tries to distinguish himself by criticizing other diet books. He says, for example, forbidden-foods diets are "patent nonsense" and "pseudoscientific"; calorie-counting diets "require you to be a full time calorie accountant"; and "...funny that these diets masquerade as scientific..." and so on. Then, he tells you why his diet so much better: "Because it is simple, sustainable, and you aren't really depriving yourself of anything." He says we are fat because of "excess" - we simply eat too much!
The author advocates eating healthy meals and making them count (nutritionally). He is convinced that snacking is what makes Americans fat, suggesting that obesity rates correlate with the number of calories consumed through snacking. He supports this idea by citing that the French snack on average less than once a day compared to Americans three times per day, and that the Chinese barely snack at all. He also says obesity has increased with the increased rate of snacking. While snacking may be a factor in why Americans are obese, it's not likely that it is the only cause.
He does not provide food lists, recipes, or exercises, and says his diet can be used in conjunction with other diets. He does not, however, appear to be a fan of low-carb diets.
Contents:
1. It's That Simple
2. No Snacks
3. No Sweets
4. No Seconds
5. Days That Start with S
6. Building the No S Habit
7. Beyond the No S Diet
Endnotes
This is an interesting book with some research and stats. It has a common-sense approach that should resonate with many readers. I agree with the author about the problems of following diets with draconian meal plans. We are all adults and should be able to determine whether we are overeating during meals by watching the scale. This approach should be an effective method for many people and the book is worth reading. I also recommend [[ASIN:097974590X THE 3:00 PM SECRET: Live Slim and Strong, Live Your Dreams]], The Alternate-Day Diet, and The 2007 Second Expert Report, Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective.
