Did you know that most of us follow a high protein diet, whether we know it or not? I didn’t either until I read Johansen’s book, Stop the Diet, I Want to Get Off! Did you know that the US is in the top 10 countries with the most overweight people? … that three out of ten people are currently trying to lose weight …

Johansen has prepared us a plate of healthy common sense facts and truths about dieting. She gives 12 characteristics of fad diets and explains how to spot them. Specifically, it mentions 15 of those diets by name: Jenny Craig, Paleo, Atkins, Gluten Free, Cleanse, Blood Type, Nutrisystem, etc. – and it logically explains why these diets are not beneficial or even harmful for most people.

Here, Johansen explains who should limit or avoid foods in certain food groups and who should not. After all, as he points out, “… it’s important that we don’t develop an unhealthy or fearful relationship with food.” In his book, he also explains how to visualize serving sizes. For example, it may be easier to regulate your food intake when you think of a cup of cereal as the size of a baseball or three ounces as the size of your checkbook or a gram as the size of a paperclip.

For dessert, part of the book is ironically hilarious, as Johansen explains ridiculous diets such as “cotton ball nonsense” in which one person eats 5 cotton balls soaked in lemonade. As you read these “diets” that were once popular, you will gain a clearer perspective on current trending diets. Plus, over 30 healthy eating tips are given, such as: “Don’t Drink Your Calories,” “Practice Mindful Eating,” “Take Advantage of Your Support System,” and many more. In addition, six indicators of not getting enough water and a description of our most efficient energy source are served on the table along with the main content.

Lastly, Stop the Diet, I Want to Get Off, offers two websites where you can find a wealth of information on healthy eating and, at that point, design a diet specific to your needs.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who eats and reads, especially anyone who has been on a diet, is on a diet, or is thinking of going on a diet.
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My favorite quote: “… keeping a meal and dairy for exercise is one of the most useful weight management tools available.” – Lisa Tillinger Johansen