'The Low Carb Bible' is utterly deceptive!

Raqoon · 03-13-2012, 07:18 PM

In my quest to inform myself, I've taken out all of the books my local library has on nutrition. One of them was "The Low Carb Bible" by Elizabeth Ward and its deceptiveness has left me shocked! Have any of you ever read it?

Although the name says low carb, the advice within is anything but. This book basically bashes low carb diets as dangerous and leading to cancer, diabetes and heart disease. It gives information on portion control using a muffin (!) or a bowl of cereal as size markers and reminds us that we need carbs for good nutrition. Just a quick scan of the recipe section and I saw ingredients such as margarine and sugar. I could go on and on...

How could a book be published as low carb, but in reality be bashing it?

What really kills me is that some person who hasn't read any other low carb sources may buy this book and give "low carbing" a try. And when they fail, they will chalk it up to low carb not working.

I'm thinking of writing a review on Amazon to express these concerns... Yuck!

raini · 03-13-2012, 07:23 PM

RaQ- I think you SHOULD write a review of this book if it is as bad as you say!

I have a Low Carb Bible (I think!) in my stash of low carb books. Maybe I should see if it's the same one. Thanks for the head's up!

Raini

catne · 03-13-2012, 07:27 PM

sounds like the American Diabetes Association's version of "low carb"...my sis was diagnosed a couple of years ago as seriously pre-diabetic. Her doctor told her she needs to lose at least 50 lbs. and immediately put her on the recommended diet for diabetics...did you know"low carb"=50 carbs net a meal? A meal, not a day. The whole day, including snacks and beverages, is to be kept "under 200 carbs" So for example, my sis does things like use the sugar free Smuckers pancake syrup on her regular pancakes...needless to say, she has not lost an ounce and is now on meds.

cprcheetah · 03-13-2012, 07:34 PM

Yeah I think I've got 2 of them and have never really even used anything in them, not impressed, just collecting dust.

SoHappy · 03-13-2012, 09:08 PM

I haven't read the book you're talking about here, but could it be that the carb level addressed in this book is low carb, but not induction level carb numbers? So maybe the days are more in the 100 or 150 carb level. Still considered low carb as compared to the average American diet, but certainly a far cry from the zero carb and very low carb that many here follow.

Just a thought. Like I say, I haven't read this particular book. If this book isn't telling you what you want to hear, or isn't agreeing with your thoughts on the subject, just purge it from your library. It doesn't sound like one that is going to help you or encourage you toward the goals you have in mind.

tulipsandroses · 03-13-2012, 09:17 PM

I would definitely leave a review on Amazon. I just read a few reviews. Interesting that the book seems to have been sponsored by some major manufacturers. I don't have it but yeah I would also be utterly disappointed if I orderd a low carb book that had recipes with flour. Really?

SoHappy · 03-13-2012, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tulipsandroses

I would definitely leave a review on Amazon. I just read a few reviews. Interesting that the book seems to have been sponsored by some major manufacturers. I don't have it but yeah I would also be utterly disappointed if I orderd a low carb book that had recipes with flour. Really?

Don't order Dr. Robert Atkins' book Atkins for Life then. In low carb maintenance he allows for the occasional serving of whole wheat breads or dinner rolls, etc. But, interestingly, his various packaged baking mixes and flours weren't wheat-based. Lots of kinds of flour though, so those made from seeds rather than grains work a whole lot better for some folks, even in their maintenance levels.

tulipsandroses · 03-13-2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoHappy

Don't order Dr. Robert Atkins' book Atkins for Life then. In low carb maintenance he allows for the occasional serving of whole wheat breads or dinner rolls, etc. But, interestingly, his various packaged baking mixes and flours weren't wheat-based. Lots of kinds of flour though, so those made from seeds rather than grains work a whole lot better for some folks, even in their maintenance levels.

OK but does that book also have recipes with ramen noodles, sugar, frozen hashbrowns,croutons, regular bread crumbs and regular pasta? That's what I was alluding to.
Dana Carpender did a review on her site and I agree with her. The book first came out in 2003. Low Carb was still very popular. I would not be surprised that the major product companies mentioned in the book helped published the book to keep their product sales up when people were cutting back on those products as well as discourage people from low carb eating.

stardustshadow · 03-14-2012, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoHappy

I haven't read the book you're talking about here, but could it be that the carb level addressed in this book is low carb, but not induction level carb numbers? So maybe the days are more in the 100 or 150 carb level. Still considered low carb as compared to the average American diet, but certainly a far cry from the zero carb and very low carb that many here follow.

Just a thought. Like I say, I haven't read this particular book. If this book isn't telling you what you want to hear, or isn't agreeing with your thoughts on the subject, just purge it from your library. It doesn't sound like one that is going to help you or encourage you toward the goals you have in mind.

There is no way that this book is low carb if it is telling readers that a low carb lifestyle will kill them!

stardustshadow · 03-14-2012, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tulipsandroses

OK but does that book also have recipes with ramen noodles, sugar, frozen hashbrowns,croutons, regular bread crumbs and regular pasta? That's what I was alluding to.
Dana Carpender did a review on her site and I agree with her. The book first came out in 2003. Low Carb was still very popular. I would not be surprised that the major product companies mentioned in the book helped published the book to keep their product sales up when people were cutting back on those products as well as discourage people from low carb eating.

It sounds duplicitous! I saw this book once in a used book store in Arizona and took a peek. I was appalled. It isn't low carb, not even close to being low carb.

Raqoon · 03-14-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoHappy

Like I say, I haven't read this particular book. If this book isn't telling you what you want to hear, or isn't agreeing with your thoughts on the subject, just purge it from your library. It doesn't sound like one that is going to help you or encourage you toward the goals you have in mind.

I totally agree, Pat. I actually don't even own it, so no problem with having such a waste of a book. My problem is its deceptiveness, and how it may trick some people. Such blatant dishonesty just makes me crazy!

Raqoon · 03-14-2012, 06:39 PM

Some choice 'cuts' from the Low Carb Bible: (am preparing material for my Amazon review)

*'Glucose is the preferred energy source for most tissue' (p. 8).

*'If you drastically reduce complex carbs from your diet, you will lose out on crucial nutrients and may jeopardize your health (p. 9).

*(in reference to a weight loss study) 'No matter their method for weight loss, participants continue to follow a low calorie/low fat diet to keep the pounds off' (p 14).

*'Still health care professionals doubt the worthiness of low carb regimens' (p. 15)

*' ... it's counter-intuitive to blame carbs alone for causing excess body fat' (p. 15)

*Even the less extreme of the low carb plans may be unsafe because they restrict certain foods that fight disease' (p 16).

*'Some low carb diets don't restrict protein, fat or calories... so you could be clogging your arteries and increasing your cancer risk (p. 19)

*'Day by day- foods to include: 3 servings of grain, 5 servings of fruit' (p 45)

*Americans have not followed the government's eating recommendations based on the Food Guide Pyramid... as a result the obesity rate has skyrocketed (p. 48).

The Nutrient Counter
pp 75-78 = cookies, crackers, donuts, pies, sweet rolls
pp 82-84 = Cheerios, Golden Grahams, Honey Oats, Raisin Bran, etc

A choice recipe example:
p 126 - Herb omelet made with Egg Beaters and Fleischmann's margarine
____________________

And on and on. You'd think that a low carb 'bible' would be supportive of this woe. I guess a book title doesn't have to accurately reflect the contents anymore..

Coleslaw · 04-08-2012, 08:55 AM

I have a book called The Low Carb Bible but it's by Linda Gassenheimer and is a combined edition of two previous books, one of which was Low Carb Meals in Minutes.

cheddarcheeks · 05-18-2012, 09:22 PM

Just reading this now. Did you ever write that Amazon review?

03-13-2012, 07:18 PM	#1
Raqoon Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: California Posts: 212 Gallery: Raqoon Stats: 318/296 /I'll know when I get there WOE: Primal Low Carb Start Date: Dec 13, 2011	'The Low Carb Bible' is utterly deceptive! In my quest to inform myself, I've taken out all of the books my local library has on nutrition. One of them was "The Low Carb Bible" by Elizabeth Ward and its deceptiveness has left me shocked! Have any of you ever read it? Although the name says low carb, the advice within is anything but. This book basically bashes low carb diets as dangerous and leading to cancer, diabetes and heart disease. It gives information on portion control using a muffin (!) or a bowl of cereal as size markers and reminds us that we need carbs for good nutrition. Just a quick scan of the recipe section and I saw ingredients such as margarine and sugar. I could go on and on... How could a book be published as low carb, but in reality be bashing it? What really kills me is that some person who hasn't read any other low carb sources may buy this book and give "low carbing" a try. And when they fail, they will chalk it up to low carb not working. I'm thinking of writing a review on Amazon to express these concerns... Yuck! __________________ RaQ

03-13-2012, 07:27 PM	#3
catne Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Smack dab in the Middle Posts: 1,828 Gallery: catne Stats: XXX/X/??? WOE: Low Carb, Cycling Atkins/Stillmans Start Date: restart 3/06/2012	sounds like the American Diabetes Association's version of "low carb"...my sis was diagnosed a couple of years ago as seriously pre-diabetic. Her doctor told her she needs to lose at least 50 lbs. and immediately put her on the recommended diet for diabetics...did you know"low carb"=50 carbs net a meal? A meal, not a day. The whole day, including snacks and beverages, is to be kept "under 200 carbs" So for example, my sis does things like use the sugar free Smuckers pancake syrup on her regular pancakes...needless to say, she has not lost an ounce and is now on meds. __________________ Cathy from Nebraska (and Florida!) RE-START date 3/06/2012 -65 lbs. Club for 2012 Re-start! Now at lowest weight in 8 years. Down 75 lbs. from all-time highest weight. 2013 losses= -5

03-13-2012, 09:08 PM	#5
SoHappy Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 17,935 Gallery: SoHappy Stats: obese/slimmer WOE: JUDDD!!!	I haven't read the book you're talking about here, but could it be that the carb level addressed in this book is low carb, but not induction level carb numbers? So maybe the days are more in the 100 or 150 carb level. Still considered low carb as compared to the average American diet, but certainly a far cry from the zero carb and very low carb that many here follow. Just a thought. Like I say, I haven't read this particular book. If this book isn't telling you what you want to hear, or isn't agreeing with your thoughts on the subject, just purge it from your library. It doesn't sound like one that is going to help you or encourage you toward the goals you have in mind. __________________ Best wishes, Pat

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03-13-2012, 07:23 PM	#2
raini Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: near the edge of an island Posts: 4,302 Gallery: raini WOE: mostly raw vegan Start Date: February 2013	RaQ- I think you SHOULD write a review of this book if it is as bad as you say! I have a Low Carb Bible (I think!) in my stash of low carb books. Maybe I should see if it's the same one. Thanks for the head's up! Raini

03-13-2012, 07:34 PM	#4
cprcheetah Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lehi, Utah Posts: 174 Gallery: cprcheetah Stats: 235/216.0/150 WOE: Lean For Life Start Date: LFL 3/5/12	Yeah I think I've got 2 of them and have never really even used anything in them, not impressed, just collecting dust.

03-13-2012, 09:17 PM	#6
tulipsandroses Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3,932 Gallery: tulipsandroses Stats: 206/164/140 WOE: Atkins Start Date: March 2010	I would definitely leave a review on Amazon. I just read a few reviews. Interesting that the book seems to have been sponsored by some major manufacturers. I don't have it but yeah I would also be utterly disappointed if I orderd a low carb book that had recipes with flour. Really?

03-14-2012, 06:39 PM	#12
Raqoon Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: California Posts: 212 Gallery: Raqoon Stats: 318/296 /I'll know when I get there WOE: Primal Low Carb Start Date: Dec 13, 2011	Some choice 'cuts' from the Low Carb Bible: (am preparing material for my Amazon review) 'Glucose is the preferred energy source for most tissue' (p. 8). 'If you drastically reduce complex carbs from your diet, you will lose out on crucial nutrients and may jeopardize your health (p. 9). (in reference to a weight loss study) 'No matter their method for weight loss, participants continue to follow a low calorie/low fat diet to keep the pounds off' (p 14). 'Still health care professionals doubt the worthiness of low carb regimens' (p. 15) ' ... it's counter-intuitive to blame carbs alone for causing excess body fat' (p. 15) Even the less extreme of the low carb plans may be unsafe because they restrict certain foods that fight disease' (p 16). 'Some low carb diets don't restrict protein, fat or calories... so you could be clogging your arteries and increasing your cancer risk (p. 19) 'Day by day- foods to include: 3 servings of grain, 5 servings of fruit' (p 45) *Americans have not followed the government's eating recommendations based on the Food Guide Pyramid... as a result the obesity rate has skyrocketed (p. 48). The Nutrient Counter pp 75-78 = cookies, crackers, donuts, pies, sweet rolls pp 82-84 = Cheerios, Golden Grahams, Honey Oats, Raisin Bran, etc A choice recipe example: p 126 - Herb omelet made with Egg Beaters and Fleischmann's margarine ____________________ And on and on. You'd think that a low carb 'bible' would be supportive of this woe. I guess a book title doesn't have to accurately reflect the contents anymore..

04-08-2012, 08:55 AM	#13
Coleslaw Junior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK Posts: 46 Gallery: Coleslaw WOE: Low carb aim for 50g carbs daily max Start Date: 2009	I have a book called The Low Carb Bible but it's by Linda Gassenheimer and is a combined edition of two previous books, one of which was Low Carb Meals in Minutes.

05-18-2012, 09:22 PM	#14
cheddarcheeks Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 430 Gallery: cheddarcheeks WOE: LC Start Date: August 1, 2010	Just reading this now. Did you ever write that Amazon review?