Don't Be An Idiot! Lose Weight The Easy Way

The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to 200-300-and 400-Calorie Meals

Count Down to Weight Loss Success

According to the Center for Disease Control, one-third of Americans (more than 100 million people) are considered obese, putting them at risk for the leading causes of death: heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. While Americans spend $40 billion per year on weight-loss programs and products, it is as affordable and easy as counting down the pounds with intelligent cooking. The real secret to weight loss is to burn more calories than eaten, which means knowing the amount of calories consumed. The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to 200-300-and 400-Calorie Meals helps readers put together a meal plan that keeps them on their calorie goals without losing flavor or hundreds of dollars on weight-loss fads. The book also includes:

·       Calculating a calorie budget

·       Keeping track of calories

·       Estimating calories on the go

·       Two weeks of meal plans

·       Eating schedules for every calorie budget

·       Recipes for 300- and 400- meals

·       200-calorie snacks and light meal recipes

The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to 200-300-and 400-Calorie Meals also includes dessert recipes to satisfy any sweet tooth with less calories and sugar.

Synopsis
People who want to lose weight are faced with a dizzying array of options: low-fat, low-carb, gluten-free ... the list is endless. But the truth behind them all is that the only real way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in. Those who have rediscovered calorie counting want calorie-controlled options that take the guesswork out of dieting. But they also want food they can enjoy and feel good about. And for many, that means going light on the artificial sweeteners. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to 200-300-and 400-Calorie Meals helps readers put together a meal plan that keeps them to their calorie goals and helps them lose weight safely-and keep it off. 

The 411 by Maria:

I seriously love this book. It is the first Idiot's Guide that I have read in about 12 years. The layout is exactly what I adore most about The Complete Idiot's Guide books. Very simple layout. Brass facts without a whole lot of jargon. Give it to me like it is, don't sugar coat it. I have no time to read pages of nonsense.  

The book includes:

• A system for calculating a calorie budget based on current weight, activity levels, and weight-loss goals. 
• Ideas on how to keep track of calories consumed and estimate calorie content of meals on the go. 
• Two weeks of meal plans for each calorie level (1300 - 1800 calorie days) starting with breakfast going to dinner and including 2 snacks.
• Eating schedules to keep people feeling full and satisfied between meals. 
• Recipes for 200, 300 and 400 calorie meals that taste great. 

There wasn't a single meal plan that I wouldn't try. 

The  recipes are great too:

All in one egg breakfast, strawberry stuffed french toast, breakfast parfait, comforting couscous, Sicilian chicken soup, crunchy tuna pockets, spicy beef satays, Korean wraps, Moroccan chicken medley, just to name a few.  

About the Authors

Chef Ed Jackson (Boston) graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York in 2000 with the President’s Scholarship Award.  He has worked at several prominent restaurants including Maison Robert, Tremont 647 and The Tuscan Grill. Currently, Jackson is in production on a video cooking series called “Chef Ed Cooks.”  In September, 2009, Ed Jackson and Becky Sue Epstein published The American Lighthouse Cookbook (Sourcebooks, Inc.) - winner of THE NATIONAL “BEST BOOKS” 2009 AWARDS (NBBA) by USABookNews.com.  Visit his website, www.chefedcooks.com  for links to his YouTube cooking classes.

Heidi McIndoo, RD (Framingham, Mass.) is a registered dietitian and nutrition communication specialist.  In addition to books, McIndoo has written nutrition articles for several magazines including Fitness, Family Circle, Prevention, Woman's Day, and Today's Diet and Nutrition.  In addition, she consults with corporations and provides nutrient analysis of recipes and menus. McIndoo has served as National Media Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.  You can follow her blog at www.foodiemomrd.com. 

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy for my honest opinion.