Originally published July 15 2005
Cookbook focuses on "12 best foods"
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The "12 Best Foods Cookbook" offers simple ways to get healthier foods into your diet by identifying 12 foods that nutritionists consider to be among the healthiest and providing recipes that include these foods.
It's easy to conclude that those approaches are mutually exclusive, at least if the average healthy-foods cookbook is any indication.
Dry brown rice with plain tofu and wilted spinach anyone?
I once even considered creating a chart of all the known "good" foods - the broccolis and whole-wheat pastas of the world - and mapping out a plan to ensure I ate them regularly.
I was intrigued recently by Dana Jacobi's new "12 Best Foods Cookbook" (Rodale, 2005, $21.95), which suggests a simple and manageable approach to fitting more good foods into your diet: one or two at a time and incorporated into appealing recipes.
Jacobi did her research and identified the 12 foods nutritionists consider among the better foods (by way of fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats, etc.) people should include in their diets.
She opens with a chapter that briefly runs down the list (black beans, blueberries, broccoli, chocolate, oats, onions, salmon, soy, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and walnuts), detailing why these foods are good for you, the different forms they come in (fresh tomatoes, tomato paste, etc.) and proper serving sizes.
The entire chapter is only 37 pages, and if you're of a mind to trust Jacobi's judgment and just get to the food, it is easily skipped.
From then out it's just good cooking, some 200 recipes grouped as starters, soups, salads, meat, beans, etc.
And yes, there is a dessert chapter.
Chocolate, after all, is one of the 12 best foods.
While this is not a cookbook for vegetarians, they will appreciate its many meat-free recipes.
The recipes generally are simple and appealing.
Next to each one is an illustration indicating which of the 12 foods it features - a wonderful and intuitive touch.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml