Mayo Clinic dietitians continually review nutrition books and cookbooks that focus on weight management. The following books, listed in alphabetical order, are recommended as particularly good sources of healthy recipes and nutrition information.
Betty Crocker's Eat and Lose Weight, Third Edition
2000, Betty Crocker Editors, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, N.J., $21.95 U.S. (hardcover)
Includes 150 low-fat and low-calorie recipes, many with color photos. Each recipe lists calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate and protein content. Provides percent daily value (%DV) for vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. Provides tips on eating smart and staying active and includes a week's worth of menus.
The Doctor's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery: How to Make the Decision That Could Save Your Life
2001, Louis Flancbaum, Erica Manfred and Deborah Biskin, Fredonia Communications, West Hurley, NY, $16.95 U.S. (paperback)
Written by a surgeon from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, this book provides an overview of weight-reduction operations as well as additional resources related to the surgery. Discusses issues related to possible candidates for such surgery and addresses misconceptions or myths related to the surgical procedures. Includes dietary information following surgery and recommendations on needed vitamin and mineral supplements.
Dr. Shapiro's Picture Perfect Weight Loss 30 Day Plan
2002, Howard M. Shapiro, Rodale Press, Emmaus, Penn., $29.95 U.S. (hardcover)
Learn ways to select foods that are lower in calories, more nutritious and full of flavor. Includes the Picture-Perfect Weight Loss Food Pyramid as a guide to food choices and provides information on shopping, eating out, celebrations, exercise and lifetime change. A major part of the book is the 115 pictured food comparisons, a visual guide to making better food choices.
The How to Quit Smoking and Not Gain Weight Cookbook
1999, Mary Donkersloot and Linda Hyder-Ferry, Crown Publishing Group, New York, N.Y., $14.95 U.S. (paperback)
Includes practical strategies for not gaining weight after quitting smoking. Provides tips for coping with cravings, smart snacking, and understanding appetite and metabolism changes. Also includes more than 100 recipes for healthy eating and 3 weeks of menus — for both eating in and out.
The LEARN Program for Weight Management 2000, 10th Edition
2000, Kelly D. Brownell, American Health Publishing Co., Dallas, Texas, $27.95 U.S.
This latest edition continues to be the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art behavioral approach to weight control. Sixteen lessons address lifestyle, exercise, attitudes, relationships and nutrition (LEARN) aspects for controlling weight.
Mayo Clinic on Healthy Weight
2000, Donald Hensrud, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, Minn., $14.95 U.S. (paperback)
Provides information on classifying overweight and obesity based on body mass index. Offers tips for achieving and maintaining healthy weight by modifying lifestyle behaviors. Emphasizes plant-based, lower calorie, filling foods based on the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid. Recipes and menus provided, along with tips for shopping, cooking and eating out. Also discusses how to devise a workable exercise plan.
Outwit Your Weight: Fat-Proof Your Life With More Than 200 Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Help You Defeat Your Diet Danger Zones
2002, Cathy Nonas, Rodale Press, Inc., Emmaus, Penn, $24.95 U.S. (hardcover)
Written by a registered dietitian experienced in weight management, this book provides strategies to help you lose weight by changing how, when and why you eat. The book describes a variety of diet danger zones, such as holidays and times of stress or fatigue. Offers tools to manage eating weaknesses and to achieve weight-loss goals.
The Volumetrics Weight-Control Plan: Feel Full on Fewer Calories
2002, Barbara Rolls and Robert A. Barnett, Harper Mass Market Paperbacks, New York, N.Y., $6.99 U.S. (paperback)
Based on studies that show successful, healthy weight loss on low-energy-dense foods — foods that fill you up. The concept of energy density is explained, with tables showing the energy density of various foods. Includes recommendations on exercise and behavior modification, along with menus that can be modified for a variety of calorie levels. Also includes 60 recipes with nutrient values as well as tips for modifying favorite recipes.
365 Daily Affirmations for Creative Weight Management
2001, Jan Yager, Hannacroix Creek Books, Inc., Stamford, Conn., $13.95 U.S. (paperback)
This book offers daily motivational quotes to foster self-acceptance and ways to positively approach many of the behavioral issues related to weight management.
Weight Watchers Make It in Minutes: Easy Recipes in 15, 20 and 30 Minutes
2001, Weight Watchers, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, N.J., $17.95 U.S. (paperback)
This book includes 200 easy-to-prepare recipes that are divided into 15-, 20- and 30-minute preparation times. The recipes are divided further into breakfast, lunch and dinner selections. Each recipe gives suggestions for meal accompaniments and a cook's tip. Also includes the calorie, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein and calcium content as well as the point value for each recipe.
