The Harcombe Diet: The Recipe Book

At 43 I have seen many diets come and go, all of which remove excess weight but only temporarily. The Harcombe Diet isn't just a diet, it is a way of life. I did phase 1 for 7 days (lost 3 lbs in weight#, phase 2 for 10 days #including 5 days in New York & still lost 4 lbs# and I have been on phase 3 for 3 months #and lost a further 2 lbs#. My weight has levelled out at 8st 12 lbs and I'm extremely happy. My partner has commented on my sexy figure.The rules are simple once you get the hang of them and so easy to follow. I no longer crave biscuits, cakes, sweets or even chewing gum. My daily treats are a small handful of cashew nuts and a piece of chocolate #Swiss, 70% cocoa and a big good sized chunk, delicous). I have two caffeine drinks a day at most; I drink mainly decaffeinated tea, coffee and herbal tea. Avoiding carbs with a fat meal gets easier, I am even able to resist my partner's fantastic roast potatoes when he cooks Sunday roast. Although I will then eat a small plateful of them for tea with left-over vegetables. They are all the more enjoyable and I don't put on weight or feel too full. I still enjoy our Saturday night curry delivery and I cook a little brown rice to go with it, really yummy.I guarantee you will lose weight on this diet. And find it easy to follow and maintain.Go for it. Give yourself and your body a break from all that awful food, excess weight and beating yourself up about it.I also recommend the Nintendo Wii Fit to tone you up. It's a lot of fun and on these wet and winter days, a much nicer way to get fit. My friend lost over a stone - she uses it every day for 30 mins, I am a lot more toned for using it - 1 hour twice a week.

Saw Zoe speak in Bristol and was very impressed so bought the book to check the recipes out. We don't do diets and didn't buy the book to lose weight but rather as a guide to help us through a lifestyle change, weaning us off sugar and as a guide to better eating.The book itself is split into sections corresponding to the stage in the diet and each recipe has a key to show what it contains and who it's suitable for, meaning that it's a great book for those with special dietary needs (gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan etc). The instructions are clear and the supporting text is passionate and informative. The book could be jazzed up with photos but is perfectly acceptable without. One thing I would like is an ingredient based index instead of a recipe based one as this would make it easier when searching for something to do with something to do with that turnip that's been kicking about the cupboard for a month.All in all a handy resource and a perfect accompaniment to the further research you should be doing into food science and healthy eating.

I have Been on this diet for 4 months now and have lost 3 stone, only half a stone to go to my goal weight. Tip- read the entire book before starting, I didnt and am still looking through it for information. You may feel your revising for an exam but its worth it. Alot of the information repeats itself continualy in the book, but I guess Zoe is just trying to punch home the message. This is the first diet ive went on that not only works but I dont feel hungry all the time. There is no question sugar is the REAL enemy here. I havent exercised on this diet, although Zoe doesnt say that exercise is completly necessary to loose weight, I feel if you were to exercise the weight would just fall off. Trust me this is a real review from someone who has tried it, it does work! but you must do precisely what she says. A good tip on processed foods { which you must avoid}, frozen veg is fine as is other food in packets as long as its is only one item , for example a bag of frozen veg only has frozen veg in there. Just watch out for hidden sugars like dextrose, maltose, lactose, sucrose etc, as she explains anything ending in "ose" is bad. A good buy, well worth it.

I love this book, so many great recipes. I am a man who has not cooked very much before, but managed to eat the wrong things and become overweight - also my wife is size 6 and eats lots of chocolate and stuff like that without putting on weight and I was tempted (previously) by her "junk" food and I do put on weight very easily. The Harcombe diet and this book have been good for me. I have eaten loads of food, I mean filled myself stupid with food and have lost 2 stone (28lbls) in 5 weeks by doing so!!! I feel much better for this diet, I feel more alert and working shifts, I feel less tired than I did previously. The book is organised in the three stages of the diet, which is very logical. The recipes vary in complexity from the very simple to the more complex that I would not bother with yet; but I am on a mission to introduce a new type of meal every week and this is great for me (a non-cook) to be building up a large number of herbs, spices and fresh things like fresh ginger that I have never bought before.I have disposed of all my other cooking books, this is the one for me for the future.

This book - when used in conjunction with the  The Harcombe Diet: Stop Counting Calories & Start Losing Weight  book - will absolutely transform how you think about meal planning, and with very little effort, the weight will fall off. Helpfully arranged by Phases, once you have got through phase 1, you will find yourself jumping around all through the book as the range of meals is staggering. We have developed some real go-tos in a short space of time: the chilli con carne is fabulous (you may wish to spice it up a little more, we did); the Moroccan chicken salad was unbelievably good - I defy anyone to eat it and feel like they are on a diet; cheese on cod - simple but utterly delicious! I could go on...and on!We've been on the diet since August and have barely scratched the surface in terms of trying all the recipes (particularly the carb ones - we've tended to experiment more with the fat meals). The majority of recipes are pretty quick to make too - and nothing needs any high level culinary skills!It's brilliant - accessible, simple recipes that help you stick to the Harcombe principles and have really tasty, satisfying meals throughout the week.