The Ice Cream Diet

I've tried diets for over 20 years: Grapefruit, Cambridge, SlimFast, Volumetrics (too complicated), Joy Bauer's 90/10 (too easy to overindulge), Barry Sears' Zone (got sick when it sent my body on a blood sugar roller coaster - HORRIBLE diet), Katahn's T-Zone (sensible but too much cooking), Larry North's Living Lean (FAR too much eating there), Picture Perfect Weight Loss (expensive and vegetarian), Richard Simmons' Food Mover (nice, heavy gadget), Dean Ornish's Eat More-Weigh Less (complicated and vegetarian), and countless others.

This one is sound, logical, and best of all, it's EASY. With barely any will power at all, I've been on it for about a month and even though I've strayed here and there, I've STILL managed to lose 5 pounds! It does everything it says it does and more.

It reduces PMS symptoms. I went from needing a sick day every month to not even needing a painkiller!

It boosts calcium and fiber. I can't remember the last time I had this much milk, fresh fruit and fresh vegetables.

It's flexible and easy. It gives guidelines for eating out: even frozen food and - gasp - fast food! And the meals are all quick and easy to make. (I hate diet books that have me spending 2 hours cooking dinner when I'm hungry.)

I found a few other benefits, too.

1) I learned about portions. It's amazing how much a REAL portion is. I was eating healthy and lowfat before this diet, but far too much and too often.

2) I saved money. There's so much good-to-eat stuff here, I cut my grocery bills by nearly 2/3: not buying all kinds of the usual traditional snack foods, convenience foods and other empty calories. Instead I buy produce which not only turns out to be cheaper, but this diet reuses a lot of what you buy on its suggested menus, so little or no food gets wasted. Or 'waisted.'

I can't recommend it enough. I keep a copy in my purse and one at home, and even bought copies for interested friends. It's the first time I've found a diet that was easy, fun, and even money-saving. I threw out all those other diet books. I got what I need in this little paperback.
January 06, 2003

The book starts out with an easy to understand explanation of why it is important to lose weight in the first place and then goes on to explain the particular benefits of calcium, especially calcium from food, not supplements. There is also mention made of the many servings of fruits and vegetables and the excellent amount of fiber included on this diet each day. The author then gets right down to business with a discussion of why low-calorie ice cream is the type to choose for this diet, with occasional splurges allowed, and includes a list of low-calorie ice creams to try. Even a brand of fudge brownie!! The amount of ice cream is not skimpy, either, a trick I looked for before I even bought the book. An easy method to scoop up exactly the correct amount of whatever type of ice cream you are eating follows, and then the meal plans (separate ones for men and women) are presented. Recipes including some non ice cream treats if you choose to spend the calories sans frozen stuff follow, and the text closes with a section on exercise. The book ends with a long list of many premium and low-calorie ice creams and their vitals.

The meal plans are very easy, very realistic and very good!! Anyone, no matter their kitchen skill, level of motivation or BUDGET can follow this plan!! There is something for everyone, including simply peanut butter and jelly sandwiches if that is what you want, and also included are directions for building your own meals and a list of fast-food and restaurant items. I find this the most user friendly diet I have come across.

The diet operates on a simple calories in versus calories out premise, which I suppose is out of fashion right now. But after several years of worrying about whether to carb or not to carb, am I in or out of ketosis, or should I just count fat grams, this diet is a pleasure!! And it works!!
October 27, 2002