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The Starch Solution cover art

The Starch Solution

By: John McDougall,Mary McDougall
Narrated by: Stephen R. Thorne
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Summary

From Atkins to Dukan, fear of the almighty carb has taken over the diet industry for the past few decades - even the mere mention of a starch-heavy food is enough to trigger an avalanche of shame and longing. But the truth is, carbs are not the enemy. Now, best-selling author John A. McDougall, MD, and his kitchen-savvy wife, Mary, prove that a starch-rich diet can actually help us lose weight, prevent a variety of ills, and even cure common diseases. By fueling the body primarily with carbohydrates rather than proteins and fats, listeners will feel satisfied, boost energy, and look and feel their best.

Including a 7-day sure-start plan, helpful weekly menu planner, and nearly 100 delicious, affordable recipes, The Starch Solution is a groundbreaking program that will help listeners shed pounds, improve their health, save money, and change their lives.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2012 John A. McDougall (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The book's solid scientific information and feasible regimen make the McDougall case for starches quite persuasive and promising." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about The Starch Solution

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  • Overall
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    3 out of 5 stars

Just too scary

This guy would have you eating nothing.
I am already a vegan, and eat very little junk or processed food. Yet this guy has managed to make me feel like the most unhealthy person in the world, as if I am deluded and should be ashamed of myself
I already go along with many of his theories, that we should avoid animal products (not only for health!) and that most people eat way too much protein. That's why I bought the book, to vindicate my long-held belief that starches such as whole grains and potatoes are good for you and together with vegetables form the mainstay of a healthy diet.
But when he started to say olive oil, nuts and seeds and soya shouldn't be eaten either, I stopped listening. So perhaps he's right, but I can't live on carrots. I'm not allowed tea, coffee or alcohol either...I'll just kill myself now, shall I?

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29 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

very helpful, great info and a doctor I trust.

a great addition to the china study book which also supports a plant based diet.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Life changing information

Most of us are so misinformed about what food is healthy. I thought I was eating well until I started looking into the actual evidence of nutrition and what effect it has on your body. You MUST read this book and others to educate yourself on how to feed yourself and your family. It could save your life. The other huge benefits of this diet are of environmental urgency and animal welfare.

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8 people found this helpful

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Specious Vegan Logic

The book often speaks in half truths, sudo science or carefully selected facts supporting the vegan diet while quickly glossing over or completely omitting the detrimental health effects or nutritional shortcomings it entails.

The statements about starch based food being calorically low, good for energy and helping to prevent hunger and craving are definitely true and helpful. The trouble begins when he scapegoats other foods like eggs, olive oil and meats that are just as (if not more) important in terms of nutrients. He provides little to no true evidence as to how these are bad for you and used half baked or anecdotal "evidence" in its place. He often used correlation as proof as causation in this respect.

The diet can work for some for many of the same reasons other fad diets often do. The restrictive nature of foods that you can eat will lead to you eating only out of necessity. You are likely to end up with a caloric deficit day to day simply because of the unpalatable nature of the diet proposed.

This is a book that pushes the vegan diet under the thinly veiled pretence of health.

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7 people found this helpful

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information dense & very interesting!

now i want to buy the hard copy to be able to better retain information as listening while going to work has not allowed that :)

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4 people found this helpful

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great book for your health and losing weight

this book is very helpful to make you feel full satisfied and lose weight, and reduce the chance to get dangerous disease

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting yet flawed

Starts out as an interesting book promoting plant based eating and starches, goes on to assume all meat eaters are horribly unhealthy. Makes claims that the only diet we are designed to eat is vegan, goes on to say that you will need to supplement B12 after saying vitamin supplements are making you ill. I’m currently whole food vegan and enjoying it, but this book made too many assumptions on diets around the globe. Interesting book, but some things I didn’t agree with

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had higher expectations

Its a quick listen, I was expecting more on the actual diet itself. Its more of a book about what not to eat rather than what to eat. He says stay away from fats but his recipies have cashews etc in them, lots of pasta which bloats. I'm still a little lost as to what to eat bar veg, potatoes, rice, pasta. I tried the French toast in a non stick pan and it stuck, it has a lot of calories in it. I'm 4 days in and even eating enough calories I feel so lightheaded. I came from a vegan diet anyway so I wasn't eating any junk food so its not a huge jump or any type of detox. I feel some of the information is out of date, Id like to see an updated version.
Maybe the actual book has more in it but the audio book just ends and I don't feel like I'm any better off. I'm left with a lot of questions. I am going to continue this way of eating for a while anyway to give it a good chance. I'm using YouTube to get more information from a girl known as Plantiful KIKI...she is a great source and has great recipies . I'm a bit disappointed if I'm honest. Ill listen a second time incase Ive missed something

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Very educational and makes so much sense

Great book. and I've been eating this way for a few days. already lost weight. not craving biscuits like usual and feeling full. easy to listen to. I will listen to it again :)

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2 people found this helpful

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Invaluable Information For Good Health

Eye opening information to improve your health and well being. Simple, inexpensive and incredibly speedy results. Would highly recommend to anyone suffering any kind of ailment. The impact is outstanding. Only wish I knew about the Starch Solution decades ago.

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2 people found this helpful