The best cookbooks for weight loss and maintenance

I’m so sick of popular magazines comparing our bodies to cars that burn energy at a predictable, steady rate; suggesting that daily 100 calorie cuts to our diets will add up to 10 pounds per year of weight loss; or promising that certain foods or meal patterns somehow “boost your metabolism.” Literally, none of this is true, and evolutionary biologist Dr. Herman Pontzer’s new book takes you on a methodical and humorous trip through decades of research into human metabolism and energetics to explain why. While he’s taking down one myth after the next using a robust body of scientific evidence, Pontzer also explains how despite what we’re promised, it’s almost impossible to exercise enough to promote significant weight loss; why severely calorie-restricted diets are doomed to fail—and make you more likely to gain weight when all is said and done; why modern Paleo diets bear no resemblance to how Paleolithic people actually ate; why keto diets aren’t superior to low-fat diets for weight loss; and much, much more.

To be clear: this is not a diet book or a weight loss book, so if you’re expecting some magic tips on how to hack your metabolism for weight loss, you’ll be disappointed. Rather, Pontzer helps you understand how your body actually works so you’ll stop falling for harmful fad diets, and his explanations will probably validate many of your frustrations about how difficult it can be to change your body weight even when you are eating well and exercising regularly. Be warned: in order to truly understand the juicy myth-busting second half of the book, you’ll have to slog through some pretty painful nutritional biochemistry (skim the Kreb’s Cycle section, but don’t skip it entirely) on your way. Also, Pontzer throws around the ‘O” word quite a bit; I do wish he would have used less stigmatizing language when he discusses body weight.

Patrick is the Ninja of Nose Breathing! He is one of those special people who learned how to pick himself up by his own bootstraps! He healed himself of asthma and has helped thousands of others do the same. His first book, The Oxygen Advantage, was a game-changer. And his most recent book, The Breathing Cure takes the Oxygen Advantage to the next level! It is packed with practical teachings and filled with evidence-based exercises and resources guaranteed to help you improve a host of health issues, including stress, anxiety and panic disorders, snoring, Insomnia, lower back pain, high blood pressure, even diabetes, Epilepsy, and more!

This for-life approach diet is based on solid science, is easy to follow, and emphasizes exercise in a healthy lifestyle. There is a universal agreement among experts on the issues of a healthy lifestyle. This book simplifies these issues for the layman. Knowledgeable and qualified people hold it in high regard.