Book Review: "The 5-Factor Diet"

Book Review: The 5-Factor Diet

I recently finished reading, the "5 Factor Diet", by Harley Pasternak that I wanted to share with you. As the Director of MindFoodFitness (www.mindfoodfitness.com/), a program integrating mindfulness practice with food and fitness, I was very impressed with both the simplicity and thoughtfulness that went into writing this book. The fact that the book sees clearly into the abyss and limitations of fad dieting complements a mindfulness approach to this subject.

What I like about his approach to nutrition and exercise is that he developed a program based on research and real people’s lifestyle. The book analyzes a variety of fad diets such as blood type, cabbage soup, Atkins, Zone and South Beach and outlines their shortcomings over time. For example, a high protein, low-carb diet may in the short run drop off pounds but over time cause you to lose water, muscle, nutrients and fiber, and your health The book provides specific examples of the short and long term consequences of the more common restricted diets.

The 5-Factor Diet is practical and enlightening. The key features include: 5 meals a day, 5 components to each meal, 5 short workouts a week, 5-minute meal prep and 5-core ingredients in each recipe. Probably the single most important element of the diet is the 5-factor meal. Each meal combines the 5 right types of foods – protein, carbohydrates, fiber, healthy fats and beverages. Within the 5 core components to each meal there are 25 foods which help keep your body feel satisfied and in balance. Examples include: egg whites, poultry, seafood, dairy, vegetables, low glycemic grains, beans and fruit.

As the author states, the 5-Factor Diet is “a program that’s nutritionally sound and easy to use for the rest of your life”. This statement is really important to creating a healthy and sustainable food and exercise program for my clients. I typically don’t like the word diet because it symbolizes an easy, short-term fix. If we can think in broader and more holistic terms, diet is a way to eat over the long term. The practice of mindfulness enables us to develop a healthier and sustainable approach to food and exercise by enabling us to be more: present, aware of our body and our senses, focused, and patient.

I hope you find this book helpful in your search to learn more about different dieting and exercise options. Please let me know what you think.