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lostintranslation's review
funny
fast-paced
2.25
It's down-right dumb to expect a serious writing style from a book titled "Skinny Bitch", so that's not why I gave it the rating I did. I do think the "no bullshit" approach is a bit toxic, but I found it really funny. I was expecting a much less "scientific" approach to diet tips but was suprised at seeing the studies backing up the vegan diet the author tried to push. I really liked the insight into the meat and dairy industry, it serves as a disgusting wake-up call. Additionally, the conversation about the different interests behind the government's health guidelines was really interesting and something I'll take away from this book (although it reads really hypocritical considering the amount of vegan/organic product placement in it).
All of that being said, the book is clearly biased towards pushing veganism as the ultimate diet and fails to offer an all-encompasing view of health. Also, the studies are most definitely outdated and some are straight up nonsense. This book is not as bad as I expected, but take it with a grain of salt and just see an actual professional.
All of that being said, the book is clearly biased towards pushing veganism as the ultimate diet and fails to offer an all-encompasing view of health. Also, the studies are most definitely outdated and some are straight up nonsense. This book is not as bad as I expected, but take it with a grain of salt and just see an actual professional.
sblake26's review against another edition
This is one of the very few books that I have ever read that I am going to give 0 stars. It is laughably bad. There is a ton of pseudoscience nonsense in this book, and the authors cherry pick “research.” Some of the points they make are obviously correct (fruit is good), while others are blatantly false. No, the food you eat does not change the pH of your body. Human beings can only survive with an extremely narrow pH range, and this is not dependent on food. This incorrect information was repeated over and over. At the end, the authors implied that a woman cured her breast cancer because she left a bad partner??? Extremely bizarre claims with no scientific basis fill this book. Even ignoring all the false information, the writing style is also poor. I seriously hope no one in 2024 is taking this book at face value.
jgelmini's review
2.0
Two big issues with this book:
- The writing style was terrible. I like the f-word as much as the next person but I don't think that it's appropriate in professional writing, even if it's "tough love." It really distracted from the message of the book.
- The promotion of processed foods. Getting past the writing, I appreciated most of what the recommended but was sad to see the promotion of so many frozen, processed foods in the 30 Day Menu chapter.
I did not learn much from this book, but that was because I've read a lot of the same information through other sources. Aside from fasting, which is debated in the medical community, I found most of their advice in line with other books I've read. If you want some shocking imagery of slaughterhouses, they have a great/horrifying chapter on that. They also had a list of food additives: what they do and where they come from.
- The writing style was terrible. I like the f-word as much as the next person but I don't think that it's appropriate in professional writing, even if it's "tough love." It really distracted from the message of the book.
- The promotion of processed foods. Getting past the writing, I appreciated most of what the recommended but was sad to see the promotion of so many frozen, processed foods in the 30 Day Menu chapter.
I did not learn much from this book, but that was because I've read a lot of the same information through other sources. Aside from fasting, which is debated in the medical community, I found most of their advice in line with other books I've read. If you want some shocking imagery of slaughterhouses, they have a great/horrifying chapter on that. They also had a list of food additives: what they do and where they come from.
chasitywick's review
1.0
I never actually finished this book. I started reading it after I'd already switched to a vegan diet and had read other books such as The Kind Diet, Eating Animals, The China Study, Veganist and watched the move Forks Over Knives. Since none of the information was new to me, their in-your-face approach about the benefits of this way of eating just didn't appeal to me. I have lots of friends who have read this book and abslutely loved it. In fact, I'm the only person I know who didn't love it. I think it's because I already knew everything they were telling me and I enjoyed hearing the information more from a science angle more than from an I'm-skinny-so-I'm-right angle.
For those who are considering making the switch to a plant based diet, I think that The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone, 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart by Dr. Neal D. Barnard and Veganist by Kathy Freston are GREAT books to read. Very informative, very well researched (especially the one by Dr. Barnard) but still easy and enjoyable reads. I loved all three of them. And the 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart book isn't just for people who want to loose weight. That is who it's geared twards, but I found the book to be very interesting and informative and I am already at the ideal weight for my height.
For those who are considering making the switch to a plant based diet, I think that The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone, 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart by Dr. Neal D. Barnard and Veganist by Kathy Freston are GREAT books to read. Very informative, very well researched (especially the one by Dr. Barnard) but still easy and enjoyable reads. I loved all three of them. And the 21-Day Weight Loss Kickstart book isn't just for people who want to loose weight. That is who it's geared twards, but I found the book to be very interesting and informative and I am already at the ideal weight for my height.
amandairene's review
2.0
You definitely need to take this book with a grain of salt. It's vulgar and offensive, but there are some very good points made. I would never do everything the book suggests, and neither should you, so just be sure you are reading it with an open mind.
lizzycatslibrary's review
1.0
This book kind of annoyed the crap out of me. I just felt like I have heard all of this information before in a far more believable academic style than this. I know that this book is meant to be for the average reader and that they are supposed to be "bitchy"... but really, all the cussing and calling people a fat lard and such just annoyed me. I get it, "tough love", whatever. But from what I've learned the last thing that will help you raise your self esteem is calling you a fat lard for the food choices you have made. Not to mention that they fail to recognize the fact that eating organic is not accessible to everyone. They do put about a paragraph in there about how you pay all this money for clothing and jewelry and such, why not for organic? New flash, not everyone has that kind of money. Yes, yes, I know... this book is probably not aimed at the populous that cannot afford to eat organic... but really? Perhaps it is my inner political feminist bashing at the walls but... I was not a huge fan of this book. Not in the least.
kcoleman's review
4.0
This is a really great book. I loved the writing style, it keeps you interested while giving you information about nutrition and eating habits. As a vegetarian, I agreed with the parts of the book about factory farming, but I found the vivid, graphic descriptions almost too much. Overall a really great book, I also love the menus and the resources that are included!
cosymilko's review
5.0
Skinny Bitch is the guide to eating guilt free for the rest of your life. Yes, it's about being a vegan. Yes, it's in your face. Yes, it will tell you to get off your ass and change your life to help you live longer and benefit the environment.
I learned so much through this book. It isn't a book for those that aren't ready to take off their rose-coloured glasses regarding the meat/dairy/poultry industry. For me though, this book helped to cement my beliefs about why I choose to be a vegan.
It is a choice after all and this is just a book.
Read it if you choose and make up your own mind.
I learned so much through this book. It isn't a book for those that aren't ready to take off their rose-coloured glasses regarding the meat/dairy/poultry industry. For me though, this book helped to cement my beliefs about why I choose to be a vegan.
It is a choice after all and this is just a book.
Read it if you choose and make up your own mind.