The Diamond Diet: A Multifaceted Path to Weight Loss, Health, and Wellness - 7 Weeks That Will Change Your Life

by Ron and Ina Denburg

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 4U Montclair, NJ: Bayou 2001. 

We are what we eat. Nutrition is an aspect of health care that is vastly neglected in medical training, and greatly appreciated in wholistic healing.

When I first saw the title of this book, I thought it had something to do with Harvey and Marilyn Diamond, authors of Fit for Life. However, that is not the case. The program offered by the Denburgs is called "The Diamond Diet" because diamonds are one of nature's "most magnificent creations;" because it is "a multi-faceted program;" because it intends to combine opposed sides synergistically to form a whole more powerful than the sum of its parts; and because it "reminds all of us of our possibility for transformation," i.e., coal into diamond. My personal impression is that diamonds are hard, and not food, so I have trouble with the imagery.

That said, let me also point out that it is actually not a "diet," because the seven week program offers extensive information, suggestions, and encouragement for attending to mindfulness in eating, as well as breathing, exercise, and setting up a generally healthy lifestyle. As such, this is a fairly comprehensive program for renewing and transforming one's life starting with really basic activities.

The Denburgs look at the Plant School approach (vegetarian, low fat, high carbohydrate such as Ornish, McDougall, macrobiotics) and the Animal School approach (low carbohydrate, high protein such as Atkins, Eades), and takes the best of each. It's a sensible approach. There is some decent information on the macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fats), offering charts and activities to help the reader become familiar with his or her particular needs.

The recipes are useable, some appear very good, although I personally am not keen on frozen and canned vegetables or beans, Bragg's Liquid Aminos (I could never figure out what they are), or bouillon cubes. In general, the suggested meals give many possible choices for both vegetarians and omnnivores.

On the whole, this is a friendly and interactive book that gives people many practical things to do, and so can be an excellent resource for those who are ready to make changes in their diet and need some handholding in order to proceed.

Reviewed by Annemarie Colbin, CHES

acolbin@foodandhealing.com
http://www.foodandhealing.com/
http://www.naturalgourmetschool.com/
212-645-5170, ext 0 (phone)
212-721-3336 (fax)

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