The Diet Code
by
Stephen Lanzalotta
Order:
USA
Can
Warner, 2006 (2006)
Hardcover, CD
Reviewed by Hilary Williamson
M
aster baker Stephen Lanzalotta's
Diet Code
recommends that we '
Eat Bread, Drink Wine, Lose Weight
' Da Vinci style. Lanzalotta applies the
Golden Ratio
(3 parts vegetable, 2 parts protein, and 1 part grain carbohydrate), and advocates a return to fundamental foods. He includes a fascinating history of bread, as well as pantry tips, a grocery shopping list, best brands and food sources, cooking techniques, meal plans and delicious recipes.
L
anzalotta waxes lyrical about his craft as when he tells us that '
The physical act of making bread is a daily participation in the timeless ... there's no arguing with the soul satisfaction of making something so primal, so ancient, so nourishing and so nurturing - and sharing it with others.
' In presenting his approach to healthy eating, the author warns against buying into the
oversimplification
of imbalanced fad diets, and talks about '
buono carbs
' and the best fats. He promotes fundamental foods, including leafy greens, asparagus, peppers, lentils, whole grains, seasonal fruits, raw honey and dark chocolate. He avoids highly processed food products, sodas, juices, and alcohol other than wine and beer in moderation.
T
he author offers a
Fundamental Food Pyramid
for optimal nutrition, along with five principles for healthy living. And he presents three levels of his program, with detailed instructions on serving sizes, pairing foods to reduce glycemic load, and applying the
golden proportion
of food groups. About half the book is split between cooking tips, menu plans, and recipes - from
Antipasti
to
Dolce
(Desserts). I especially like the look of
Sweet and Sour Eggplant
and
Frittata
, while the
Lemon Chicken
has me salivating.
T
his is my kind of diet - one that encourages the enjoyment of bread, cheese, chocolate and wine (in moderation) in addition to healthy fruits and greens. Read
The Diet Code
, for a renaissance approach to health and nutrition, and for inspiration on baking ... I'm off to dust off my breadmaker and start kneading.
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