Publishers Weekly
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In this solid debut manual, Bust magazine editor Butterworth (A Beginner’s Guide to Astrology) and food stylist Hwang (The Adaptogenic Herbal Kitchen) expound on the benefits of the keto diet. They explain that eating lots of carbohydrates causes blood sugar spikes and crashes in a cycle that can lead to insulin resistance. Instead of relying on carbs for energy, Butterworth and Hwang recommend consuming healthy fats, which provide more consistent energy levels. Though the authors assert that keto is beneficial for many, they’re candid about the diet’s downsides, warning that it can temporarily produce flulike symptoms as the body adjusts to relying on fat rather than carbs for energy. For those willing to push through, Butterworth and Hwang detail which foods to avoid (most legumes, sugars, and grains) and which to “stock up on” (nuts, meats, green beans). The program’s centerpiece is a meal plan with recipes for four weeks’ worth of keto-friendly breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, including a coconut berry chia parfait, Greek salad with feta, zucchini fettucine alfredo with chicken, and coconut prawns with curried vegetables. The scientific background enlightens and the bounty of recipes will help readers overhaul their diet, though preparing 21 meals each week feels like an unrealistic ambition for many working people. Still, this gets the job done. (Nov.)