The keys to overweight are liver toxicity, waterlogged tissues, fear of eating fat, excess insulin, and stress, asserts nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman. Her Fat Flush Plan addresses these problems with a targeted diet.

The Fat Flush Plan, filled with nutritional analysis and detailed explanations, is not a quick read. Despite Gittleman's assertion that the plan is "as easy as 1-2-3," it is quite regimented. No white flour, white sugar, margarine, vegetable shortening, artificial sweeteners, or caffeine. The diet emphasizes essential oils (e.g., flaxseed and GLA), protein (eight ounces or more, plus two eggs a day), vegetables, thermogenic spices (e.g., ginger and cayenne), water, and diuretic beverages (eight glasses/day of diluted, unsweetened cranberry juice). In its first two-week phase, the plan is a rigid, low calorie (1,100-1,200 calories/day), low-carb (no grains or starchy vegetables) diet. Phase two lets you increase your calories to 1,500 and add two "friendly carbs." Phase three, the "lifestyle program," moderately adds more dairy, carbs, and calories. Gittleman promotes walking and recommends strength training in phase three.

The book includes 41 recipes such as Grilled Lamb Chops with Cinnamon and Coriander, Breakfast Egg Fu Yung, and Cumin Sautéed Scallops. The Fat Flush Plan is recommended for dieters willing to commit to a strict plan for weight loss. --Joan Price

FROM OUR EDITORS

When the Two-Week Fat Flush diet first appeared on iVillage, it was an instant success. Its creator, respected nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, has parlayed the Internet phenomenon into a comprehensive weight-loss and lifestyle plan. Emphasizing detoxification of the liver -- "a hidden key to effortless weight loss" -- and stress-reducing lifestyle changes, the Fat Flush plan is easily executed and maintained. With this book, it is also thoroughly explained and supplemented with menus, exercise recommendations, a question-and-answer section, and an appendix of secondary references and resources. Best of all, this plan will contribute to overall good health rather than sacrificing general well-being for weight loss.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

If you're like most people, you're probably thoroughly confused when it comes to choosing a weight loss plan. You've been bombarded by new miracle diets, yet constantly alerted to the health risks associated with these fads. Are carbs bad? Is a high-protein diet good? How much fat is really healthy? Should you follow the Mediterranean diet or the Asian diet? Finally, there's a way to ease your concerns and meet your goals: The Fat Flush Plan will show you how to shed unwanted pounds while actually improving your health, thus building a bridge between beauty and vitality.

The Fat Flush Plan's unique, groundbreaking program targets cleansing the liver -- the largest, most versatile organ in the body -- and the one most essential to maintaining optimal body weight. Based on a satisfying, healthful, and cleansing combination of essential fats, balanced proteins, and quality carbohydrates, this detoxifying process boosts the liver's ability to function at its highest level, accelerating weight loss while improving your health. Simple, safe, and highly effective, The Fat Flush Plan is an excellent way to begin dieting as well as to continue weight loss. This program can successfully break through the stubborn weight loss plateau every dieter faces, "flushing out" stubborn fat while retaining crucial nutrients. Here, at last, is a diet that combines common sense and sound science, making it the perfect choice for both first-time dieters and those who have had varying levels of success on other programs.

SYNOPSIS

If you're like most people, you're probably thoroughly confused when it comes to choosing a weight loss plan. You've been bombarded by new miracle diets, yet constantly alerted to the health risks associated with these fads. Are carbs bad? Is a high protein diet good? How much fat is really healthy? Should you follow the Mediterranean diet or the Asian diet? Finally, there's a way to ease your concerns and meet your goals: The Fat Flush Diet Plan will show you how to shed unwanted pounds while actually improving your health, and building a bridge between beauty and vitality.

The Fat Flush Diet's unique, groundbreaking program targets cleansing the liver­­the largest, most versatile organ in the body­­and the one most essential to maintaining optimal body weight. Based on a satisfying, healthful, and cleansing combination of essential fats, balanced proteins, and quality carbohydrates, this detoxifying process boosts the liver's ability to function at its highest level, accelerating weight loss while improving your health. Simple safe, and highly effective, this plan: works via a process of detoxifying the liver thereby increasing metabolism provides an excellent way to begin dieting as well as to continue weight loss is the only diet program that can successfully break through the stubborn weight loss plateau every dieter faces, and "flush out" stubborn fat, while retaining crucial nutrients

The Fat Flush process also sets off a domino effect of health benefits, including: Increasing your metabolism Giving you more energy Helping you get a more restful night's sleep Stabilizing your moods

Here, at last, is a diet that combines common sense and sound science, making it the perfect choice for both first time dieters and those who have had varying levels of success on other programs.

FINALLY, A DIET PLAN THAT BUILDS A BRIDGE BETWEEN BEAUTY AND HEALTH !

"Ann Louise Gittleman once again leads the crusade for better nutrition. She exposes the pervasive myths that all fats are bad and that unlimited carbohydrates are good. Sensible and thorough, her Fat Flush Plan is a terrific primer for anyone wanting to lose weight and regain vitality. We recommend it enthusiastically!"
­­Michael R.Eades, M.D., Mary Dan Eades, M.D., Authors of Protein Power

"What a great program! Whether you're starting a diet with a bang or trying to budge the scales after a binge or just tuning-up your body and hoping to lose some stubborn inches, this is a great, safe way to do it."
­­Fran McCullough, Author of The Low-Carb Cookbook and Living Low-Carb

"Ann Louise's Fat Flush Plan is dietary common sense for all the right reasons ­ it's balanced, it's a program you can safely stay on for life, and it works."
­­Dr. Barry Sears, Author of The Zone