"If you are carbohydrate addicted, this book will give you the information you need to literally eliminate your cravings for starches, snack foods, or sweets and get control over your eating and your life--at any age, through all the decades to come--and without sacrifice. You will be able to lose weight and greatly decrease your risk for virtually all of [America's] top killer diseases. You will get the guidance you need to make the lifestyle change you have been waiting [for] for so long. And, in addition, you will gain the courage and conviction that your hunger, cravings, and weight problems are not your fault, and as the pounds fade, so will your guilt and self-blame." So begins The Carbohydrate Addict's Lifespan Program, a book especially tailored for those 40 and over, especially menopausal women and those who were prescribed Fen-Phen. Its premise is simple--it's designed to help you rid your body of excess insulin. When excess insulin is circulating through the body, it's virtually impossible to lose weight, say Richard and Rachael Heller, both research scientists and professors and authors of the bestselling Carbohydrate Addict's Diet.

They've created a sympathetic and clear guide for keeping insulin levels--and therefore food cravings--in check, with plenty of appealing and easy-to-prepare recipes, including low-fat Chicken Kiev and Herby Crabmeat Salad. A stress-reduction plan, progress charts, meal plans, and comprehensive index are included.

From Publishers Weekly
The authors of The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet (1993) and Healthy for Life (1995) aim the latest volume in their approach to carbohydrate addiction at maturing Americans. Professors at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, the Hellers reiterate their claims that excess insulin causes some people to crave carbohydrates, creating an unstoppable cycle of cravings and weight gain. Noting that metabolisms slow down as individuals age, the Hellers again tell personal stories of learning how to manage their carbohydrate intake and their weight. They present their Basic Plan, which is based on craving-reducing proteins and vegetables and allows "Reward Meals" that include reasonable portions of carbohydrates. Nine "Options" include such tactics as adding chromium, exercising, or cutting out MSG (which triggers carbo cravings). The Hellers also link excess insulin to such age-related diseases as high blood pressure, heart disease and adult-onset diabetes. Accompanying recipes and menus, which allow much more fat than typical low-fat/high-carb plans, may attract new readers. To maturing Heller fans, much of the text will seem familiar. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
The Hellers have written a sequel to their popular The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet (LJ 5/15/91), which argued that the best way to lose weight lay in reducing carbohydrates rather than fats. This new work is designed specifically for people between the ages of 40 and 60, but, unfortunately, it covers the same diet program as the first book, only with different personal success stories. The first three sections contain a description of the carbohydrate addict, "the basic plan," "options" to help in further weight reduction, and tips on eating out. Yet the food pyramid is never discussed, and skipping a meal is encouraged. Menus and recipes are presented in the fourth section, and a lengthy bibliography is included. Purchase only where this writing duo is in demand.-?Connie Weaver, Bosler Free Lib., Carlisle, Pa.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Low fat? High carbohydrate? Protein rich? Low carbohydrate? What's a dieter to pick, and how well do any of these weight-loss programs work? A partial answer comes from the Doctors Heller, both researchers and authors, who discovered that consumption of certain carbohydrates triggered cravings--and an overabundance of insulin, which, in turn, stimulated hunger and more cravings. Based on the popularity of their Carbohydrate Addict's Diet (1991), they've refined their initial recommendations into an easy-to-follow STAR (simple, targeted, adaptable, rewarding) program, with only three guidelines--but a lot of options, meal plans, and even more recipes (more than 200). A quiz helps readers determine whether their genes are addicted to carbohydrates; other chapters point to scientific evidence linking overproduction of insulin with being overweight. Along with a smattering of feel-good psychology, the Hellers have produced an almost surefire second best-seller that'll refuse to stay on library shelves. Barbara Jacobs

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
November 1999

You've probably seen Drs. Richard and Rachael Heller on "Oprah." Now it's time to ask yourself: When you eat a full breakfast, do you get hungry before it's time for lunch? Once you begin to eat starches, snack foods, or sweets, is it hard to stop? Do you get inexplicably tired in the middle of the afternoon? Do you take insulin, female replacement hormones, or medication for high blood pressure or cholesterol problems? You could be a carbohydrate addict!

Millions of Americans are carbohydrate-addicted — caught in a painful cycle of food craving and weight gain. If you are one of them and over 40, you know that losing weight — and keeping it off — gets harder all the time. You also know that most diet and weight-loss programs are quick fixes that rarely bring success in the long run. But simple and permanent weight loss isn't a lost cause!

Drawing from their breakthrough research into the carbohydrate-insulin connection — the discovery that excess amounts of insulin in the bloodstream cause us to store more fat and crave certain foods — Drs. Richard and Rachael Heller offer a comprehensive nutritional plan specifically tailored to the lifestyle and changing needs of the mature adult.

In the Hellers' book, you'll discover: Why "healthful" foods could be making you gain weight How to control and reduce cravings and keep insulin levels in balance — without giving up the foods you love Which medications may be making you carbohydrate-sensitive Stress reduction, exercise, anddietaryguidelines that will promote dramatic weight loss, as well as increased energy and optimal health Dozens of delicious recipes and tempting meal plans Invaluable tips for low-fat and vegetarian options, dining out, eating alone, entertaining, vacations, and family celebrations By following their simple regimen, you'll reap the outstanding rewards of reduced cravings and weight, along with increased energy and health.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Drawing from their breakthrough research into the carbohydrate-insulin connection, which made The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet such a huge bestseller, the Hellers offer the comprehensive, straightforward STAR Program: a plan that is Simple, Targeted, Adaptable, and Rewarding. By following this simple program, you'll reap the outstanding rewards of reduced cravings and weight, along with increased energy and health. On the LifeSpan program, virtually all foods are allowed - in enjoyable and satisfying quantities. As your cravings drop, you'll choose from a variety of nutrition, activity, stress-reduction, and other lifestyle options that maximize continued weight loss and good health. You'll find tempting meal plans and dozens of delicious recipes, along with special hints for dining out, eating alone, entertaining, vacations, and family celebrations. The Carbohydrate Addict's LifeSpan Program will help you personalize a plan for getting trim and staying vigorous through the best years of life - all without struggle or sacrifice.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The authors of The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet (1993) and Healthy for Life (1995) aim the latest volume in their approach to carbohydrate addiction at maturing Americans. Professors at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, the Hellers reiterate their claims that excess insulin causes some people to crave carbohydrates, creating an unstoppable cycle of cravings and weight gain. Noting that metabolisms slow down as individuals age, the Hellers again tell personal stories of learning how to manage their carbohydrate intake and their weight. They present their Basic Plan, which is based on craving-reducing proteins and vegetables and allows "Reward Meals" that include reasonable portions of carbohydrates. Nine "Options" include such tactics as adding chromium, exercising, or cutting out MSG (which triggers carbo cravings). The Hellers also link excess insulin to such age-related diseases as high blood pressure, heart disease and adult-onset diabetes. Accompanying recipes and menus, which allow much more fat than typical low-fat/high-carb plans, may attract new readers. To maturing Heller fans, much of the text will seem familiar. (Jan.)

Library Journal