Skinny B

Has anyone read this book? I'm told it was quite popular when it first hit shelves a couple of years ago, and as with most things, I lagged behind the bandwagon.

Anyways, B let me borrow it and I'm only a few chapters in and am a little frustrated at Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin's advice. Mainly, after reading only the first three chapters of telling us everything we CAN'T eat, I'm a little confused about what we CAN eat to achieve what the book labels it's ultimate goal, to become a "skinny bitch."

Throughout the section I've so far finished, repeatedly the book tells us that aspartame, the ingredient found in most artificial sweeteners, is absolutely terrible for us. There are over 92 different symptoms that can ensue from consuming aspartame, according to the book, some of which being cancer, birth defects, Alzheimer's and hair loss. The book also says that one of the ingredients in aspartame, when mixed with carbohydrates, can produce formaldehyde in your body-which is used to preserve dead bodies and frogs used for high school science lessons.

But not even a whole chapter later, the book goes on to call sugar "the devil." So, if I can't eat aspartame and I can't eat sugar, then what can I put in my coffee? Oh yea, the book says you shouldn't drink coffee either, because the acid content can apparently lead to all sorts of diseases. And as for Splenda, it goes on a long rant about how that contains funky metals too.

The next thing it tells you not to eat is meat...pretty much all meat. According to this book, red meat can cause all kinds of crazy diseases, and even grilled chicken can cause you colon cancer. One interesting point it raises is that the animals from which we get most of the meats we eat, at times, become unhealthy and need to be fed antibiotics so farmers can keep them alive long enough to slaughter them for our food. The book says that these antibiotics in animals can later lead to the immunity of similar antibiotics in humans once they eat the meat themselves.

Fish can also kill you quickly, according to this book, with high levels of mercury and other antibiotics pumped into them by farmers.

So, I was wondering if anyone else read this book, and if they have, what they think of its theories. Or maybe are there some nutritionists on here who can tell me if these things the book preaches are true, or if I really do need to give up sugar and sweeteners for the rest of my life.

posted @ Wednesday, April 15, 2009 11:50 AM

Print

Comments on this entry:

# re: Skinny B

Left by Jennifer at 4/15/2009 3:40 PM
Gravatar
I haven't read the book, however, the theories you've listed can be termed "overexaggeration"

Yes, fish have mercury in their muscle tissue. I've pasted URLs for more information:
Mercury content in Fish (http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/guide.asp)
Informaition regarding Mercury and how it affects your health (http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/effects.asp)

FDA speaks about Aspartame (http://www.fda.gov/FDAC/features/1999/699_sugar.html)

I'm not to sure regarding the meat vs antibiotic controversy. As a biology student, I have a hard time conceptualizing this problem but I will concede that it needs further reasearch. Meaning, I'm not sure exactly how antibiotics work (do they stay in your blood stream or get stored in muscle or fat?). I don't know the criteria for choosing which beef is slaughtered? I figure worst case scenario, buy kosher beef because they are inspected to such an extent. Any animals with any blemish within their body is scraped as trash and doesn't make it to market.

Just my info. I think alot of people are sheep and will listlessly follow propaganda without looking into the real concerns or facts. Hope the websites help.

# re: Skinny B

Left by Michelle at 4/15/2009 8:58 PM
Gravatar
I have read this book and got through just over half of it and promptly through it away first I didnt care for the language, dont get me wrong I let a few fly once in a while myself but not that much! second their theme of the book at first seemed helpful ..basicly stop making excuses and get off your butt ...I get that but then it just seemed to take a mean turn and I couldnt stomach it...sorry not for me

# re: Skinny B

Left by tealady at 4/16/2009 12:39 PM
Gravatar
I also didn't like the book. I found their technique of being shocking in just bad taste. I never thought of myself as a prude but that was just too much even for me.

Mona

Your comment:



 (will not be displayed)


 
 
 
Please add 5 and 1 and type the answer here:
 

Live Comment Preview: