Which diet books have you read and how do you rate them? Here are the results of our November/December online survey with some insightful comments from subscribers.Take the current survey | Past survey results | Subscribe
How many read diet books?
Thanks for another great survey response! The results show that SmartShape subscribers are pretty select about the diet books you read. Of the twenty diet books we listed that were on sale late last year, on average 85% of respondents had not read them. And only 34% said they purchased the latest diet books for their own weight management. Only 17% agreed that they spend too much on diet books.
Most popular diet books
Of the twenty major diet books we listed in the survey the seven most read books as indicated by purchasing or borrowing were:
- The Low GI Diet by Jenni Brand-Miller (46%)
- CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet (44%)
- Body for Life by Bill Phillips (34%)
- Fit for Life by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond (33%)
- Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution (33%)
- The Ultimate Weight Solution by Dr Phill McGraw (18%), and
- Eat Right Your Type by Peter D'Adamo (18%)
Buying or borrowing?Just as many people borrowed as those who bought the Low GI and Total Wellbeing Diets. But Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution was borrowed by three times as many people who purchased it. Why the difference? Either people are sharing Atkins with their friends more or perhaps friends just want to take a peak rather than spend money on this book? Atkins has been around for longer, so I guess more time to share around?
Still on the shelves
Three diet books (all by US-based Personal Trainer types) had not been read by any survey participants. These were the; Six Day Body Makeover by Michael Thurmond, Abs Diet by David Zinczenko and Three Hour Diet by Jorge Cruise. Perhaps these `blokey' books don't really appeal to women? Most survey respondents were female.
Which diet books are useful?
Some books rated more useful than others. Only 3% of those who had read Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution said it was very useful. Two thirds (67%) rated it not very useful. This is not surprising, considering the unsustainably low carbohydrate level in this diet.
In contrast, 41% and 31% respectively said The Low GI Diet and CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet books were very useful. Another 15% and 21% said, “It's my diet bible - I live by this book.” Body for Life and Fit for Life averaged somewhat useful. The hard physical training in Body for Life and the unscientific food combining in Fit for Life may be parts that were less useful.
With less survey respondents reading the other diet books listed it's hard to give a rating of usefulness for these.
However, there were some generous comments about other diet books:
“Stop the Insanity - this book was big in the 90's. I lost 47.5 kilos using the principles in this book. A bit dated today but at the time it certainly motivated me to loose weight... which I have mostly kept off in the 12yrs since.”
“All Donna Aston`s books are great. Very hard core though, and not for everyone. I don't apply it all, too hard. But information is unbiased and informative.”
“The Great Australian Diet is very easy and very common sense. It is funny and fantastic. Following it I lost 24.5kg's in 91 days!!!!! No struggle and I feel great!”
“The Lazy Girl's Guide to Losing Weight by A.J Rochester is a great read and motivator for those who aren't interested in hardcore training and dieting to get results. Very light-hearted look at the world of dieting and some great tips on getting healthier without losing sanity!”
So, maybe it's a case of picking the best parts?
“I like to take bits and pieces out of different books and see what works for me.”
“Choose a book that doesn't offer a miracle and read the whole thing and compare and rate it against other diet books and systems out there.”
“With any diet book I read I normally get at least one thing new out of it or confirmation of what I am already doing and encouragement to continue. I don't hold any one book as the be all and end all to the weight loss challenge.”
What is useful in a diet book?
The survey did show what you think a diet book should include to be useful or to recommend to friends or clients. From most important, here's the top 10 checklist for a good diet book:
- Based on scientific facts with research to back the claims
- Realistic and practical recommendations that have some flexibility
- Sense instead of fads
- Simple to follow with explanations
- Menu plans and recipes that are quick and easy
- Covers your whole lifestyle
- Diets with readily available foods
- A combination of diet and exercise
- Nutrition values of foods
- Deals with emotional components of eating
Put another way by one person…“1. It has to be simple. 2. It has to fit in with the rest of the family. 3. Food should be easily obtainable, e.g. should be easily found on a super market shelf. 4. Should focus more on lifestyle than diet. The word diet implies restriction and is short term. It does sell books though - lifestyle is long term.”
This list can provide you with a good checklist for what to look for in a diet book.
Your best advice
As for the most useful pieces of advice survey takers have found in diet books or choose tolive by -- here are some words of wisdom:
“There is no secret to weight loss. It's all to do with eating the right food, the right amount of food. And exercising at least 30 minutes daily.”
“Eat 15 different types of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and grains. Very easy to do, normally by lunch I have this done.”
“You have to identify why you eat the way you do and you have to acknowledge that what you've been doing in the past isn't working for you.”
“Making exercise a part of your everyday life. Not worrying about too many food restrictions as this will only encourage cravings.”
“Be honest with yourself and others, write everything down and make sure it is fun, fun, fun. If you are bored you will not do it.”
“Eat to live don't live to eat and most of all remember just because it works for one person does not mean it will work for everyone!”
“Everybody is different and there is no one-size-fits-all diet. Nobody should consider themselves on a 'diet' but should adopt healthy eating habits for life.”
It seems that with hundreds of new diet books hitting the shelves every year, the same healthy eating messages hold true.
Who responded to the survey?
121 people of which 87% were female
Age groups
The greatest number of respondents were in the 25-34 age group.
2% - < 18 years, 22% - 18-24 years, 36% - 25-34 years, 23% - 35-44 years, 14% - 45-54, 3% > 55 years
A big thank you to all who completed the survey!
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