Diabetes Cookbook for Dummies

Customer Reviews

Very helpful resource!

The Diabetic Cookbook for Dummies is a very essential resource for specialized dieters. Every mouth watering recipe listed in this book contains much nutrients and contents suitable for diabetic health watchers. My 87 year old grandfather owns this cookbook, and uses it on a daily basis to prepare meals and satisfy his appetite. Also can be very useful for gourmet chefs making meals in a fancy restaurant. The information content is overwhelming, which is typical of every "Dummies" entry. May overwhelm the casual reader using the book for recreation or last minute cooking preparations. The book is very large and bulky, and not the best choice to carry along with you on a vacation.
I daresay, however, that many Americans in this country do not particularly enjoy cooking, or don't have much expertise. (Not to make a generalization.) So, this heavy cookbook should only be purchased by diabetics or professional chefs.

Not what I expected.....

Well, I must really be dumb, because the DIABETES COOKBOOK FOR DUMMIES is really loaded with information and very overwhelming. Don't get me wrong, the book is filled with good stuff if you are trying to gain weight, I just think the title is misleading. They should have called it "the encyclopedia of diabetes recipes, meals, menus, hints, trivia, and everything else prepared by someone who knows what you really want to eat" or something like that. I did find dozens of good recipes in this book. I am using THE INSULIN RESISTANCE DIET by Hart and Grossman and the DUMMIES cookbook is loaded with plenty of recipes I can adapt, and some not so adaptable. .

For example, the book includes a really smashing recipe for "Chicken salad with Gorgonzola mayonnaise and walnuts". As lush as it sounds, the nutrient content of a single serving is a mere 408 calories, with 37 grams of protein, 5 grams of carbohydrates, and 25 grams of fat. The book lists the exchanges as 5 lean meat, 1 vegetable, and 3 fat. Okay, I know I will have to eat a half a portion-which leads me to a complaint-the recipe is for 6 servings. Since the endive won't freeze, maybe this recipe is for 6-8 thin friends??

Another good recipe for six is "Basil and onion soup." Here a serving = a mere 121 calories and is therefore a bit more useful for my purposes. However, the nutrient value is 3.5 grams of protein, 8 grams of carbohydrates, and 9 grams of fat. Oh darn, must be that ½ cup of "light" whipping cream!! Are they nuts?? I guess dummies are REALLY dumb.

Great Resource for Information and Recipes

Hey, I like to cook. I don't like to cook normal stuff, either. At first I thought diabetes would hamper my love of entertaining, but after finding this book, I realize I was wrong. This is an easy read. The first half has great information on diabetes and diet. The second half has great recipes culled from restaurants all over the country. It certainly satisfies my enjoyment of cooking less "normal" recipes. And I can make my friends eat healthier without them really knowing it! The only thing that would make it better? More color photographs. Check out Diabetes for Dummies, too!