The One One One Diet: The Simple 1:1:1 Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss Hardcover – December 24, 2013

It is rare that I am wowed by a new diet or fitness book these days. As a long-time fitness enthusiast, Boston marathoner, certified sports and exercise nutritionist, and certified Food for Life cooking instructor, I am a prolific reader of all things health, wellness, diet, nutrition, and exercise, and most books in this genre seem to have one (or more) of the following problems: (1) they are based on the flavor of the day and not on trusted science; (2) they represent short-term band-aids to lifelong issues - "get your best body in 90 (or 30, or 60) days"; (3) they focus on one aspect of a healthy lifestyle (such as diet or exercise or diet and exercise but not your mind and emotions); and/or (4) they do not provide a practical guide for healthy living that can be incorporated into your own lifestyle and adapted to your own preferences. The One One One Diet (although the name makes it sound like another trendy diet fad) miraculously avoids these common diet book pitfalls, and I give it 5 glowing stars for its nutritional soundness, simplicity, and lifestyle friendliness.The basis of the diet - which is actually tauted as a lifelong nutrition plan and not a short-term diet - is that you eat frequently throughout the day (3 meals, 2 snacks) to keep your blood sugar stable and your hunger at bay. Each meal should be balanced with a serving each of protein, carbs, and fats. Nonstarchy veggies are "free" foods that can bulk up any meal in terms of volume and nutrients. Snacks have the same calculus except that meat and grain servings (if any) served as snacks should be cut in 1/2. And that's it. No macronutrients are off limits. No food is a no-no. You can drink wine. Or eat chocolate. But in moderation and in balance. There are no complicated meal plans (although the book does include some great meal ideas and tasty recipes). If you follow the Paleo diet, you can use 1:1:1. If you are vegetarian (or vegan), you can use 1:1:1. If you are lactose (or gluten, or peanut, or soy) intolerant, you can use 1:1:1. It is clear from the content of this book that the author, Rania Batayneh, who is a nutritionist with a Masters in Public Health, knows her nutrition science and perhaps more importantly, knows how to apply that science to make it work for each person's unique personality and lifestyle.To provide a holistic view of weight loss and healthy living, The One One One Diet also addresses how to incorporate a balanced exercise plan into your lifestyle (i.e., cardio, strength and flexibility), and suggests multiple options depending upon your schedule and preferences. The book also discusses handling stress and emotional eating, two common triggers for falling off the diet and fitness wagon, and provides ideas for how to incorporate 1:1:1 when eating out at various types of restaurants. There are many testimonials from her clients throughout the book, and they seem genuine (and realistic - we're not talking losing 50 pounds in one month; we're talking about sustainable and healthy weight loss and long-term weight maintenance). I have hundreds of diet books in my library, and if I had to recommend only one to someone, it would be this one.

I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with trying to lose weight. I had been looking for a long time for an eating plan that would work for me and that I could continue to follow as part of a healthy lifestyle change. I finally found it in the One One One Diet.I have been following this eating plan for six months. So far I have lost 35 pounds by using The One One Diet, along with moderate exercise around 4 to 5 days a week (mostly walking, light weight lifting, and yoga/stretching). It has been the only thing that has worked for me and that I have been able to stick with. **Update: As of November, 2019, over a year after my first review and having been following the One One One Diet for nineteen months, I have lost a total of 74 pounds!**I tend to be a stress eater and this way of eating has helped me to stop doing that as well. I am a nurse and my job can get stressful. I tend to work long hours and it is hard to eat right when you come home exhausted. I'm sure a lot of people can relate.This eating plan allows you to eat one serving of a carbohydrate, one serving of a protein and one serving of a fat at each meal and snack. You will be eating five times per day (three meals and two snacks). The author explains which foods fall into each category and how much counts as a serving. There are lists for reference. I am honestly enjoying eating this way and finding new combinations to put together. You can pick which foods you like from each category to make your own meal and snack combinations that you enjoy eating. Snack serving sizes will be a little bit smaller so be aware of portions.Allowing a fat and protein at each meal and snack helps me to feel satisfied until the next time to eat. I think this is why it has worked well for me. I used to eat a bag of pretzels or baked potato chips for a snack and wondered why I didn't feel satisfied and was hungry again soon. Combining a carb, a protein, and a fat is so much better. I didn't really realize how much I was overeating carbs before as well and this book really opened my eyes to that.Since I have been following this plan, I feel better physically, am losing weight, and am enjoying life more and doing more fun things. People have been commenting on my weight loss and I tell them about this book.

I love this eating plan. I am able to go throughout the day and not feel hungry. I know I will be healthier in the long run and have eliminated night eating( very difficult at first!) and am happy that I have my carbs under control. I have only lost 2 lbs. in 3 weeks so I am not sure the rapid weight loss works for everyone. I plan to stick with it but really hope I see the number on the scale go down soon! I want to lose 15-20 lbs. Anyone else experiencing a slow weight loss on this??

I have 2 sisters who are having up and down success with this Eating strategy. It's not for every one, 3 meals and 2 snacks is just not for me. The key is 1 fat 1 protein and 1 carb. in every meal. Not such a good plan if your a diabetic, witch I am. carbs in a snack are a no no for me. The other down side was It had me thinking about food all day long and into the night. No thanks.The education and brush up on a balanced diet was a good reminder of what to put and not put in your mouth. It did leave out the importance of exercise or maybe I missed that part. Just be smart and check with your doctor. Mine was pretty angry when she saw my A1C after eating this way for a month. be careful if your diabetic