Review by Joe Duck Hunter:
This takes the boredom out of the hcg low calorie diet phase, but it stays completely within the protocol — no worries about any ingredients. They figured out the recipes while carefully following the diet, so you don’t have to.

Well worth it! Thanks!

Review by MM:
This book helped me so much. I’ve done three rounds of the HCG diet in the last year and have lost 40 lbs and have stayed within my 2 lbs. each time. I used the sublingual drops. The first time I did the HCG diet I didn’t have this recipe book. My food was so boring and I spent all my time cutting, dicing, cooking, weighing, etc. I got so tired of chicken and I didn’t really know how to make apple cider vinegar into something that actually tasted good.

I bought this book before I did my 2nd round of HCG. It made my 2nd (and 3rd) round so much easier. The two most helpful recipes for me were the Chicken Bouillon Base and the Garlic Italian Roast. Both of these allowed me to cook a large amount of meat ahead of time and then freeze portions for warming up. That saved so much time, I must say how thankful I am.

The Chicken Bouillon Base used six 3.5 oz portions of chicken…so you’re cooking six chicken meals in advance. I froze them in individual baggies and warmed up in the microwave when needed. The Bouillon is saved in 2-cup portions and frozen so that it can be used as a base for soup (all using the HCG allowed foods). With the saved chicken broth, I was able to make the French Onion Soup recipe, which adheres to the protocol. They have a tomato soup recipe that is really good! I used the saved broth to make a serving of chicken soup with my 3.5 portions of chicken and celery. I added cilantro to the broth. You can get creative with the broth. They also recommend saving off 4 tablespoons of broth in individual servings so that it can be used to saute vegetables (since oils are not allowed on the diet).

The Garlic Italian Roast is my absolute favorite. I’ve only made it with eye of the round roasts, since those are the leanest roasts I’ve seen. I didn’t even think about cooking a roast on my 1st HCG round, because the food is supposed to be weighed raw, and how would I know what the cooked weight is unless I cut the roast up beforehand. Well, these authors included it in the instructions. So, you cook the roast, you slice it, and 3 oz. cooked is your portion. I would buy a 3-lb roast and would put 3 oz. cooked portions in baggies and freeze. Then just heat up on the stove (with a little water or broth) or in the microwave from frozen. They also list the leanest cuts of meat you should buy, since the goal is to have no oils or fats. The leaner the better.

There are many helpful things in the book. You can take their recipes and improvise if you want a little more spice, etc. My 2nd and 3rd rounds were so much easier because I could make these things in advance and freeze them. And the recipes tasted good to me. I’m not a fan of stevia in large quantities, but they have some salad dressing and marinades that call for it. I thought it would taste bad, but somehow, their recipes that involve stevia are just the right amount.

When I first received the book, I had my doubts: it was thin and the photography leaves a lot to be desired. The book cover could use a facelift, for sure. And the black and white photos inside the book are hard to make out. Not a superior print job. But my advice to you is just ignore those small annoyances, because what’s important is the text, the recipes. I wish it had more recipes, but I’m just happy that there is something with this many, because it can get pretty lonely and boring on the HCG diet with the limited choices for food. This helps break the monotony and offers up some tasty ideas, as well as cooking large amounts in advance that can be put into the freezer in portion sizes.

Also, the authors stick to the original protocol, so there is no mixing of vegetables, no mixing of fruits, no fruits or veggies that are not allowed. So, you’re getting the strict stuff, which is what you should be getting. These authors have done the diet, so they know. Blogs and other forums might have some HCG recipes, but I have found that many of them are using vegetables not allowed, or mixing them. You won’t find that here. These are good recipes that strictly adhere to the original protocol. Many thanks.

Review by bookfan2004:
I’m a busy working mom and being able to prepare a nutrient-rich meal — that my family will actually eat — in under 30 minutes is fantastic. The turkey and white bean chili (page 196)is their favorite so far. My husband, my teenager and I, all watch our weight and this cookbook is fast becoming our favorite tool in helping us add whole grains, lean sources of protein, and more vegetables to our meal plans. The Pork Fajitas (page 210) and the Rosemary Pork Medallions with Chunky Applesauce (page 211) or the South Beach Macaroni and Cheese (page 249) are perfect comfort food for this cooler weather. I love Dr. Agatston’s sensible approach to nutrition and his philosphy that if we’re satiated and satisfied by nutrient dense, fiber rich foods, we’ll lose weight and have healthier hearts and blood chemistry.

Review by Suzan Plummer:
I have every one of the South Beach Books. Phase 1 third day of the 2nd week is the hardest to get through. Your body has rid itself of those high glycemic foods, so you crave and want to eat some bread or other processed white flour food item.

I have done every and I mean every diet out there (Atkins, Weight Watchers,Soup diet,Slim for Life, Slim Fast, American Heart Assoc. I also took Redux to lose weight which has caused me some heart trouble. Everytime any of the above was done I would loose then fall off the diet and gain what I lost plus an additional 20+ lbs. This was the only one which made since for me and has allowed me to have that cookie, french fry, or brownie once in a while and still keep on the diet.

I enjoy this cookbook more as it is simple. The first cookbook was too in depth. More for chefs to cook with vs a working person. I hate having to be in the kitchen cooking for hours even when I was not dieting. Very simple recipes that allow short prep times. The fewer the ingredients the better for me. Best part helps with the making of a grocery list and tells you which foods to always keep on hand, so when you need to fix a fast meal you have everything.

The South Beach Diet book is a must and you need to read through it. I skipped over the stories after a couple and went to the heart of what Dr. Agatston states about his diet (Not really a diet for me, just a guide to great healthy eating). Do highlight,write in the margins and use post it notes as you read the first book. This diet(guide to healthy eating) is about making your body work to process the foods which you eat instead of eating processed/high glycemic foods which your body doesn’t have to work much to process. He even gives you a list of acceptable foods to eat in Phase 1. I leave this on my refrigerator even now, to remind myself that even though I am not in Phase 1 I still eat those foods which are best during Phase 1.

What I took from his books: Eat to live with the right vegetables, dairy products,proteins and fruits.

Review by Jean de Waal:
I read about nutrition every day and have a library of texts on the various subjects. I am a researcher by profession and an avid ‘truth seeker’ about nutrition and health. I have read many texts concerning inflammation (probably the greatest new area of medical research in the next 20 years, excluding cancer – which also has a good deal in common with inflammation issues) and this is a book that I would recommend above all the others. It has good solid accurate information concerning the many causes of inflammation and the ways to counter act the body’s state of inflammation. There is information in this text that I have never found anywhere else (i.e.: What CANOLA OIL is really all about!). The details surrounding the condition of inflammation in the body are more complete and concise here. If you are going to buy one good book on inflammation – this would be the one to buy. (Save your money on “Inflammation Nation” – I wish that I had not wasted mine purchasing it.)

Review by Steve Burns:
I am very glad that Dr. Black has had this book published, it could save lives. Currently we have a growing epidemic in this country that few are aware of, it is silent inflammation. Unlike the inflammation we see on our skin due to irritation or the pain we feel from a stubbed toe or broken bone there is also silent inflammation going on in our bodies if we abuse ourselves by eating fast food, sugar, white flour, trans fats and many other unnatural items that are toxic to our bodies. Constant inflammation can lead to heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, allergies, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and even cancer. This book will show you how to combat this with a natural eating style that is delicious. Yes, it does take time to adapt to it if you currently eat the regular American diet, but the effort is worth it. She has it all correct in this book, the importance of the 40% carbs, 30% fats, and 30% protein distribution of calories. The foods to avoid, and 125 delicious recipes that you will like.

This book is written by a Naturopathic doctor as opposed to the Allopathic (Traditional medical) doctors that we are use to. The difference is that while an M.D. will give you an aspirin if you have a headache a N.D. will ask: Why do you have a headache? and seek to solve it permanently through diet or lifestyle. I believe in N.D.’s because headaches are not caused by an aspirin deficiency.

Read this book and follow the suggestions for health. It works, I have been eating this way for 7 years and have been sick only one time!

Review by Laura:
The endometriosis book I have been seeking for ages, and this one is a very good practical book which I use just about every day. It provides a clear and simple guide of the basic foods of what you can and cannot eat and why. There are lots of great and simple recipes, which has surprised me greatly considering how many things that need to be left out of this tough diet.

I knew the foods I was eating were affecting my symptoms of endometriosis, and I knew roughly which foods I could and could not eat from checking the internet, but I was never completely sure. I now have the advice I need with this book and can have a safe but tasty diet. Even my kids like some of the recipes.

And finally, I have to say that the diet does work. I have much less pain with my periods, I don’t feel as bloated, I have more energy, and to top it all I am starting to loose the weight I gained while I was on medication for this disease. I feel much better all round and I would recommend this book to other women with endo. What you eat really does make a difference.

Review by Christine:
This book is very helpful in providing the recipes you need for the endo diet without having to trawl through loads of dietary information. It has delicious recipes for every day cooking needs.

After 7 years of endometriosis and suffering with lots of severe pain, I had been trying to follow the endo diet and started to come unstuck. But this book has given me lots of tasty new recipes and meal ideas and I have a clearer idea of what foods to eat and what foods to leave out of my diet.

I have definitely felt the benefits. As soon as I slip back, like eating wheat or red meat, then I really do pay for it later. I feel you need to change your shopping habits to purchase a few of the ingredients, but I have found other sources to do my shopping, like shopping online. I have also enjoyed my trips to my local health food store and have found a few endo safe ready meals as well as the ingredients I need. Also I can now purchase safer toiletries at the same time, and I have found the staff at the shop to be extremely helpful and keen to give advice.

Definitely a book worth having, and one you will use every day.

Review by :
This is my first review but I had to write one because this book is fantastic! I have made five recipes in the past five days and my 5 year old son (with severe ulcerative colitis) has loved every single one (the rest of the family has loved the food too)! I own every SCD cookbook and this one seems to have the most recipes that are winners. So far, we have made: a chinese chicken dish (actually tastes like chinese chicken but without soy sauce- amazing); vietnamese pork (same); almond puff (tastes like cake!); chili-lime crackers (tastes like mild cheez-its!); and shortbread (buttery and tasty). We are going to keep trying recipes but love this cookbook and wanted to post this review while ordering another copy for my son’s grandmom. Well worth adding to your library.

Review by Amy McKenna:
I have a new favorite cookbook! It’s “Recipes for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet” by Raman Prasad. Although the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) includes lots of great food choices, it doesn’t allow for dining at my favorite Asian and Indian restaurants. Raman’s culturally diverse recipes are bursting with the flavors of the ethnic cuisines I’ve been missing. One of my favorites so far is Kung Pao Chicken, which is wonderfully flavored with Raman’s SCD Asian Sauce (hurray for a yummy soy sauce substitute!). And in my opinion the Beef Vindaloo rivals some of the best Indian restaurants in our town. I love, love, love this cookbook’s mouthwatering photography; the compelling foreword and introduction to the diet; and the personal touch of Raman’s stories about food, family, and friends. I highly recommend this great cookbook for anyone who wants to add some pizzaz to their SCD fare.

Review by A. Ryan:
Dana Carpender has made a serious study of adapting classic recipes from around the world to work with modern low carb diets. In this latest offering, 200 Low-Carb Slow Cooker Recipes, she proves once again that you don’t need refined grains and sugars to enjoy healthful, satisfying food – no matter your culinary traditions or meat of preference. The key is quality ingredients, simply prepared.

Dana Carpender is a believer in keeping it simple and freshly prepared whenever possible. None of the ingredients were hard to find at my supermarket except perhaps the low-carb imitation honey that shows up in a few recipes. Of the dozen or so main dish recipes I tested in 200 LCSCR I can honestly say that seven were big hits with my family, a few were just okay and just one was bad. All of them cooked on time and just as predicted. There were some very satisfying desserts toward the end, with several variations on cheesecakes and custards that turn out splendidly in my slow cooker. Although I do not normally have a use for appetizer recipes, there is even a section for that – which contains an outstanding hot artichoke dip.

I am impressed with the author’s diligence in keeping most recipes under 10 grams of net carbs per serving. Dana really does stick to the universal “rules” of low carb dieting; lots of veggies and meats, occasional artificial sweetening, a sprinkling of fruits now and then and a bare representation of grains and sugars — and only when absolutely necessary for flavor, never as filler. She is good at innovating more nutritious subs for common starchy side dish ingredients; fauxtatoes (cauliflower) and mashed turnips are big players at her low carb table. Eat the 200 LCSCR way and you will probably have better, more varied natural nutrition than ever before in your typical American diet.

The recipes for lc condiments & sauces are a big bonus to those of us who suffer from sticker shock at the supermarket’s low carb pricing practices. Readers of her other lc recipe books may find some of these items familiar, but hey, it is convenient to have them all in one place. And as for convenience, well…slow cooking is the essence of convenience to modern time-challenged dieters.

Did I make it sound as if this book is one of the best kept secrets for low carbers? I hope so, because it is.

-Andrea, aka Merribelle.

Review by Mary:
This is a really nice collection of slow cooker recipes. Since they’ve been modified for low-carb eating, you won’t find a bunch of recipes calling for “cream of whatever” soup mix. What I like most about this collection is the recipes aren’t all really high in calories. Sure, some of them are, but there is quite a variety and I appreciate that.

Most of the recipes call for about 8 ingredients. Some ask for more, a few call for less. They are mostly simple, with a few “worth the extra steps” recipes thrown in.

I think any home cook can find a few things to like or love here. You don’t have to be on any special diet to enjoy these recipes.

Review by Susan:
Having lost a ton of weight, and apparently good at keeping it off, Tosca Reno decided to write this book after her bestselling The Eat-Clean Diet: Fast Fat-Loss that lasts Forever!. I guess it was so popular that there was a demand for Eat Clean Recipes. After looking at the book, I can see why.

First off, if you’re looking for any detailed explanations of the Eat Clean diet, you won’t find it here- check out her other book instead, The Eat-Clean Diet: Fast Fat-Loss that lasts Forever!. But just to give you a very brief overview, it’s a nutritional plan that maximizes your intake of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants by incorporating “whole foods” from every group. Some of the Clean Eating Principles include things such as: eat 5-6 small meals a day, eat every 2-3 hrs., avoid saturated fats, and stick to proper portion sizes. As you can see, it’s healthy and sensible.

Anyway, the book is just loaded with recipes. A little bit about the layout. Major recipe sections include breakfast, soup, grains, sauces, one-dish and easy meals, proteins, vegetables, pasta, sweets and breads, and festive occasions. Most notable, perhaps, is that each recipe tells you the nutritional breakdown (total calories, fat calories, protein, carbs, fiber, sugars, fat, and sodium). Also included is the approximate preparation AND cook time. Nice!

So needless to say, I was well-pleased with the book. It’s practical and healthy. A must-have if you’re an Eat Clean fan or if you’re just looking for a few healthy recipes. Readers trying to make healthy lifestyle changes might also be interested in The Sixty-Second Motivator.

Review by Sussya:
I was really excited to get this book. I regularly read Tosca’s columns in Oxygen, and was thrilled to find a recipe book she’d written. I have to say I was pretty disappointed once I read through it. There are a couple of good recipes I can use, but the MAJORITY of the recipes use ingredients that are difficult to find (bison, quinoa, pumpkin oil???–you certainly won’t find most of them at Kroger’s or your average grocery store) and expensive to purchase once you find them. Some of these are fine for the occasional meal, but not practical to prepare on a daily basis unless you’re independently wealthy, which I guess being Tosca, you would be. I wish she would have taken a more practical approach for those of us moderate income families that also wish to eat healthy meals.

I have 3 small kids that wouldn’t DREAM of eating some of the stuff in this cookbook. I wouldn’t be able to pass that off to them in even the sneakiest of ways. There were a few family-type recipes we enjoyed, like the whole wheat bread recipe or the summer roasted salmon, and would have liked to have seen more like those. But the majority of these recipes were geared for adults. And really, when you’re a busy mom trying make time to eat clean and exercise, do you really have time to make a “kid dinner” and an “adult dinner”? Most of these recipes are just too exotic for the average family.

I’m sure this is a great book for many, it just didn’t suit our needs. If you find yourself attracted to exotic recipes and food choices, this just may be the cookbook for you. If, on the other hand, you are trying to eat healthy and relatively inexpensively and feed your family the same way, look elsewhere.

Review by L. Koch:
This is a seriously good guide for eating fewer calories. I am on to this idea of staying out of restaurants somewhat and mainly eating at home whenever possible. However, I now have the tools with this book to prepare good, delicious foods that aren’t going to make me gain weight, but, in acutality, will help me to lose weight, which is the point of all of this. I have to say that I loved the layout of this book and it read so easily. The recipes weren’t too complicated and it’s just a fun way to lose the pounds. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to make the commitment to cook at home and lose the weight that way. Another I liked and helped too was Goodbye, Fatty! Hello, Skinny! How I Lost Weight And Still Ate The Foods I Loved-Without Dieting. I guess it’s just in how you want to approach the diet. Either way, you’re sure to lose some weight if you stick to the plan.

Review by A. Williams:
Before I purchased this book, I was so excited from all the reviews, only come to find out that 90% of the recipes in the book call for some sugar substitute of some kind, which gives me headaches. So if you are thinking of buying this book but don’t enjoy artificial sweeteners, DON’T BUY IT. But, if you don’t mind them, go for it.