Anyone with diabetes or prediabetes would benefit from reading this book. Dr. Barnard recommends a vegan low-fat diet to help your body heal itself and supports his recommendations with scientific studies. Yes, the book is a bit repetitive if you read it from start to finish--he's going to hit on his steps several times throughout the book--but for some people, the repetition does help to ingrain the ideas in their minds.

It was interesting to read about animal fat clogging up cells so that glucose isn't cleared and insulin resistance develops.

I do not think the "diet" (which is more of a lifestyle change than a diet since within the foods he recommends, there really isn't a limiting of how often you can eat) would be that hard to follow. In fact, even he says, decide to do it 100% for 3 weeks and reassess how you feel and if it has changed your numbers and then decide if you want to make it your lifestyle.

Other authors you might consult are Dean Ornish and the Esseltynes. ( )

This is basically a vegan eating plan, and I wanted to see what it had to say. According to the author, it is also healthy for diabetics. Still reading.
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The advice in this book seems sensible so I ran it by my primary care physician. I was considering either a vegan eating plan or Mediterranean. My doctor said do the vegan, except to eat fish and egg whites now and then. I don't know if all vegan diets recommend very low oils/fats, but this one does. There is much overlap between vegan and Mediterranean and also some opposites, as with fats -- with this particular vegan diet, no fats, not even healthy ones. This is at odds with the two books I've read so far on eating for brain health, but perhaps even small amounts of healthy fat is enough for the brain.

So I'm off and running, moving toward being vegan. It's a process for me, as I learn and stock my pantry with ingredients. This decision is strictly for health reasons, hoping to remain healthy and active well into old age. I may try variations later or even Mediterranean, once I've learned vegan thoroughly. From other places, the thinking seems to be that having non-vegan now and then is OK as long as it's occasional.

I already shopped at health food stores but now I look more in depth and search for ingredients I haven't used before. I'll try some of the recipes here. I did find a mainstream fat-free salad dressing, Dorothy Lynch, at regular stores but not at the health food store. I'll make my own from recipes in this book. If you aren't a huge meat-lover, this doesn't look too bad. I'll miss cheese. The veggie stuff isn't the same at all. It's possible to eat out but not at fast food. I've done it, but beware that restaurants don't care much about your health and you need to ask questions. One of my favorite little places puts sugar in their soups. Who does that?! Well, McDonalds puts sugar in their buns, and other places market high fructose corn syrup in applesauce aimed at kids. What applesauce needs added sweetener? They'll get you any way they can so read ingredients or ask.

I'm also trying to reduce gluten at the same time, which is tough when eating vegan. Off to another adventure!

Aside, I do think the book might be useful for people with diabetes. I mean, if you care about your health, you should be willing to do whatever it takes to get healthier if you have a disease like that, but it's mostly aimed at patients with type 2 diabetes. There is a section for those with type 1. They seem like two different diseases. Apparently it's possible to get off some or all meds for diabetics if you follow this diet. It's worth a try. And what is good for diabetics is good for all of us.

Dr. Barnard provides an excellent discussion of a plant based (vegan) diet for diabetics and for preventing diabetes. He also address the psychology, problems with, menus for, and reasons for this diet. I am convinced that he is correct and am giving it a try (don't have diabetes and am not overweight). ( )

Barnard is right; eating a plant based diet rich in fiber, complex carbohydrate that is low in fat, refined carbohydrate and commercially processed foods will, in most cases, stabilize blood glucose levels. Consistent levels benefit people suffering from diabetes. This book provides a plan for diabetics to transition to a vegan diet. His plan is basically a modified McDougall diet, with lots of recipes and explanations. It would be best suited to someone recently diagnosed with type II diabetes, looking to avoid medication. I bought this book as a gift for such a person, her results have been dramatic. After one month on the diet her blood sugar is back down within normal range, her blood pressure is down and she’s lost fifteen pounds. ( )