This book was recommended by a friend and I will say that I resisted getting it because seriously, how many books about healthy eating does one really need to read? Since she was insistent, and I respect her opinion, I ordered it from the library and several months later, it was in my possession.

First impression…..it is a thick book, like over five hundred pages of thick. My eyes were tired just looking at the cover, however I dug in, midway through. Okay, I started at Part 2 (page 255) where he gets into what he calls the “daily dozen”. A check list of foods to eat every day that he considers essential to optimal health:

Beans

Berries

Other fruits

Cruciferous vegetables

Greens

Other vegetables

Flaxseeds

Nuts

Spices

Whole grains

Beverages

Exercise and supplements (not food, but part of the checklist)

Greger talks about each one of the daily dozen individually, why it’s important as well as what is considered a serving. So very useful…..although I don’t agree 100% with everything he says. For instance, he seems to think GMO foods are not an issue???

However, I do feel like it’s a great starting point for anyone wishing to improve their health. Plus he gives lots of resources to help get you stated including access to a free app.

Now the app is basically a check list so that each day you can check off each serving of the daily dozen and possibly play “catch up” at the end of the day….or not. Either way it’s helping to create a momentum of a healthier lifestyle and I’m all for that!

If you’re wondering, the first part of the book covers several conditions/diseases that we don;t want toddy from, with studies showing the science of how they can be prevented…..by the daily dozen.

I have to say that my favourite part of the book is at the end (page 404) when he quotes Dr. Kim Williams, who in 2015 was the president of the American College of Cardiology. When asked why he ate a plant based diet, Dr. Williams replied, “I don’t mind dying, I just don’t want it to be my fault.”

Exactly!