Anyone who reads my reviews knows that I am an unapologetic Dana Carpender fangirl. Her recipes never disappoint, and I have always appreciated her ability to explain complex nutritional concepts in a way that the average reader can easily understand. So I was intrigued when I learned of her collaboration with Dr. Rob Thompson on The Insulin Resistance Solution. And I was not disappointed.
Dr. Thompson, like Ms. Carpender, has a talent for presenting medical information in a layman-friendly, easy to understand way. His analysis of what insulin resistance is and how to reclaim a normal metabolism are probably the best that I have read. Dr. Thompson debunks the “eat less and exercise more” myth of weight loss and explains the best way to activate the specific muscle tissues that can help increase your insulin sensitivity. In addition to the very clear explanations of the various diabetes drugs and what they actually do, I really appreciated the explanation of glycemic load, “the magic number” for weight loss, and the tips for reducing the glycemic load without becoming one of those annoying dieters who makes every social occasion an eating nightmare. The appendix that provides the glycemic load for about a hundred different foods is a really useful resource.
Ms. Carpender’s recipes are, as always, easy to understand, easy to follow, and undeniably delicious. When you receive your copy, the first thing you should try is the Fudgy Chocolate Whatchamacallit. That recipe alone is worth the price of the book. (And if you are missing your Chex© Party Mix on your low-carb diet, make a batch of Snack Crack. You’ll be glad you did.) I really thought that everything that could be said about eggs had been said, but here you will find some great new ideas, including an amazing chicken and asparagus frittata and a delicious cheese quiche flavored with curry.