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The Flavor Point Diet    by David L. Katz & Catherine S. Katz Amazon.com order for
Flavor Point Diet
by David L. Katz
Order:  USA  Can
Rodale, 2005 (2005)
Hardcover

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* * *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

The Flavor Point Diet, by David and Catherine Katz, takes a new and intriguing approach to 'Mind Over Appetite', focusing on a Flavor Point (at which one feels satiated and stops eating) and organizing meals and snacks according to specific tastes.

Dr. Katz, 'a doctor who happens to be an expert on diet and nutrition', assures us that sensory-specific satiety is based on tried and true science (he quotes several studies), and that 'subtle yet repeated exposure to the same flavors will subdue your appetite center in a delicious and powerful way.'

Early chapters of the book introduce the science of appetite, and how our food choices can allow us to control it - flavor variety stimulates it, while flavor consistency lulls it. The authors offer a Flavor Point Meal Plan that emphasizes specific flavors, e.g. a Mushroom Day versus a Pineapple Day, and includes snacks. There's even a special indulgence Chocolate Day, and a nice selection of desserts.

A section covers stocking a 'flavor-friendly kitchen', how to read food labels, and how to stay on point in restaurants and at work. The second half of the book is filled with over a hundred enticing and convenient recipes, as well as tips (e.g. on reducing sugar and fat) to convert old favorite recipes into ones that conform to this eating plan. An Appendix provides a guide to brands and products.

After the six weeks meal plan, Dr. Katz encourage us to 'aim for variety over time, not variety all the time.' While the approach seemed odd to me on first glance, it made a great deal more sense after reading the details, and is certainly one of the more appealing (and tasty) approaches to dieting that I've come across.

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