So What Can I Eat! - by Elisa Zied (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A blueprint for developing a nutritious, balanced eating plan for life

Every day, readers are presented with conflicting information about food, nutrition, and how to eat properly. Now, Elisa Zied, a highly visible spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, clarifies the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines and provides a clear plan for developing a nutritious, balanced, and sustainable eating-plan for life-whether the goal is to lose weight, have more energy, or manage or prevent diet-related conditions. The book's helpful menu plans and many delicious recipes will allow readers to enjoy eating without feeling deprived.

From the Back Cover

""So What Can I Eat?" personalizes the latest dietary recommendations and really makes them work for you. Positive, attainable, and gimmick-free, it is like having Elisa as your very own dietitian!"
--Ellie Krieger, M.S., R.D., host of the Food Network's "Healthy Appetite" and author of "Small Changes, Big Results"

Go ahead, eat some chocolate. Have some butter. Enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. As a matter of fact, there really isn't anything you can't eat, according to the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. "So What Can I Eat?"! helps you make sense of the new guidelines and provides an easy-to-follow seven-step plan for balancing good nutrition with some of your favorite indulgences. It includes: Two weeks' worth of easy-to-prepare mealsMouthwatering recipes that can fit easily into your personal eating planShopping tips to help you navigate through grocery aisles and interpret food labelsPractical ideas for what to order when you're eating out or grabbing takeout

Whether your goal is to lose weight, have more energy, or provide healthful meals for your family, "So What Can I Eat?"! is your gateway to a healthier lifestyle.

"If you, like most Americans, are confused about what to eat, this is a must-have book for you. Elisa shows you in a simple, practical way how to make better food choices without having to spend lots of extra time and effort, and without giving up the foods you love. This is a book that really makes sense."
--James O. Hill, Ph.D., director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado, and coauthor of "The Step Diet"

Review Quotes

* For befuddled readers wanting to "clarify the often conflicting information you hear every day about food and nutrition," this book will serve as a usable resource in the pursuit of better health. Zied, who says, "I'm a registered dietitian, not a food cop," reveals a list of changes to the guidelines of yore, pointing out, for instance, the addition of "discretionary calories," which can be used on treats or second helpings. But there's a lot of information here, and the book's seven-step plan for determining actual versus necessary calorie intake, which requires some work, may deter casual dieters. Many of the book's assertions aren't surprising (a balanced diet plus exercise equals better health; moderation is key), but discussions of RDIs (Reference Daily Intakes, a set of references regarding the recommended dietary allowances for essential vitamins and minerals) and common terms on food labels (e.g., what makes a food "low calorie") may offer new insights even to super-healthy sorts. Those readers will also benefit from the detailed shopping list, menu plans, suggestions for dining out and host of recipes designed to aid in better health through education and practice. (Mar.) (Publishers Weekly, January 16, 2006)

About the Author

Elisa Zied, R.D. is a registered dietitian and national media spokesperson for ADA. An expert on family nutrition, she has been extensively featured on broadcast television, in several national publications, and in high-profile speaking roles promoting a healthy lifestyle. She is a contributing editor for Seventeen magazine and has written for or been quoted in "Time," "The New York Times," "US News & World Report," "Los Angeles Times," "Fitness Magazine," "Parenting Magazine," and "Self," among others. She appears regularly on CBS's "The Early Show" as well as "Today in New York," "Good Day New York," "Live on MSNBC," "Fox News Live" and "Fox News at 10."

Ruth Winter, M.S., is an award-winning science and nutrition writer. Her books include "A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives."
Visit her Web site at brainbody.com.