The Fat Flush Plan

New York: Mcgraw-Hill, 2001. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. A TIGHT CLEAN COPY, NO MARKINGS THROUGHOUT. The keys to overweight are liver toxicity, waterlogged tissues, fear of eat ing fat, excess insulin, and stress, asserts nutritionist Ann Louise Gittle man. Her Fat Flush Plan addresses these problems with a targeted diet. The Fat Flush Plan, filled with nutritional analysis and detailed explanati ons, is not a quick read. Despite Gittleman's assertion that the plan is "a s easy as 1-2-3," it is quite regimented. No white flour, white sugar, marg arine, vegetable shortening, artificial sweeteners, or caffeine. The diet e mphasizes essential oils (e.g., flaxseed and GLA), protein (eight ounces or more, plus two eggs a day), vegetables, thermogenic spices (e.g., ginger a nd cayenne), water, and diuretic beverages (eight glasses/day of diluted, u nsweetened cranberry juice). In its first two-week phase, the plan is a rig id, low calorie (1,100-1,200 calories/day), low-carb (no grains or starchy vegetables) diet. Phase two lets you increase your calories to 1,500 and ad d two "friendly carbs." Phase three, the "lifestyle program," moderately ad ds more dairy, carbs, and calories. Gittleman promotes walking and recommen ds strength training in phase three. The book includes 41 recipes such as Grilled Lamb Chops with Cinnamon and Coriander, Breakfast Egg Fu Yung, and Cumin Sautéed Scallops. The Fat Flush Plan is recommended for dieters willing to commit to a strict plan for weight loss. --Joan Price.