The Abs Diet    by David Zinczenko & Ted Spiker Order:  USA  Can Rodale, 2004 (2004) Hardcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Melissa Parcel When I opened The Abs Diet, I was skeptical. A registered dietitian by trade, I tend to scoff at all of the diet books out there these days because most of them are full of incorrect information and require stringent restrictions. I am pleased to say that this is not one of those books. It's written by the Editor-in-Chief of Men's Health magazine, and the information presented is geared toward both sexes. This diet recommends that people eat six times a day, to encourage metabolism. Most of the research over the past few years has shown that it's important to eat regular meals in order to stimulate weight loss. Throughout the chapters, many testimonials are included to help motivate and encourage readers to stick with the program. The key is the 'Abs Diet Power 12' - groups of foods such as nuts, beans, eggs, and whole grains, that should be the building blocks of a basic diet. Many chapters are devoted to the nutrition plan, and the rationale behind each of the food choices. An important chapter on how low-carb diets make you fat should not be missed. Sample menus, recipes, and eating plans will help promote successful eating. A wide variety of healthy, easily obtainable foods make this a well-balanced diet that is easy to follow and stick with. If a person wanted to continue with this way of eating as a lifestyle change it would be completely healthy and manageable to do so. The second major portion of the program is exercise. This section is detailed, with photos of each exercise as well as descriptions of how many reps and how often to do them. Some of the exercises require equipment such as dumbbells or an exercise ball, but many do not. As with any diet and exercise program, it is important to check with your physician first to make sure there aren't any health reasons to avoid following its recommendations. If you've always craved a firmer, tighter abdomen and didn't know exactly where to begin, The Abs Diet could be just what you're seeking. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews