I should preface my review by stating that I normally do not read self-help books and especially food-related self-help books. I am not even sure what possessed me to read this one. Maybe it was the title or maybe the cover (who can say "no" to an angry apple, after all?) In a sense, I am glad I read this since I did learn something, but it also solidified that I really do NOT like self-help books.
There is no doubt that Susan Albers did her research (it is, after all, her profession). This book is chuck full of facts and references to this scientific study or that. I was glad that right away she told the reader that this is NOT a diet book. She doesn't tell you what you should or should not eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner. In fact, she tells you that you can eat anything you want. Her only caveat is THINK about it. Be mindful of WHAT you eat, WHEN you eat, and most importantly, HOW food makes you feel after you consumed it. WHY are you craving that ice cream in the middle of the night? Could it be that you are bored or exhausted, or maybe you are just thirsty instead? She breaks down her book into multiple subsections, which would make it really easy to go back and find specific information in the future. There are some practical tips as well. Some of them were news to me. For example, I never knew that you can make tea out of a banana, or that said tea can actually make you fall asleep faster. Another interesting tip was that she suggests eating oatmeal at night as it can also make you fall asleep faster. I was somewhat floored by it since I have always associated oatmeal with breakfast and the energy it can bring in the morning. Not sure how I feel about that yet. As this all self-help books, it will only be good as your own commitment to follow through on tips and tricks. I think I will be dipping in and out of this book in the future.
There is no doubt that Susan Albers did her research (it is, after all, her profession). This book is chuck full of facts and references to this scientific study or that. I was glad that right away she told the reader that this is NOT a diet book. She doesn't tell you what you should or should not eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner. In fact, she tells you that you can eat anything you want. Her only caveat is THINK about it. Be mindful of WHAT you eat, WHEN you eat, and most importantly, HOW food makes you feel after you consumed it. WHY are you craving that ice cream in the middle of the night? Could it be that you are bored or exhausted, or maybe you are just thirsty instead? She breaks down her book into multiple subsections, which would make it really easy to go back and find specific information in the future. There are some practical tips as well. Some of them were news to me. For example, I never knew that you can make tea out of a banana, or that said tea can actually make you fall asleep faster. Another interesting tip was that she suggests eating oatmeal at night as it can also make you fall asleep faster. I was somewhat floored by it since I have always associated oatmeal with breakfast and the energy it can bring in the morning. Not sure how I feel about that yet. As this all self-help books, it will only be good as your own commitment to follow through on tips and tricks. I think I will be dipping in and out of this book in the future.