The popular "Complete Idiot's Guide to Total Nutrition" focuses on the fundamental food groups, essential information on fats, carbohydrates and protein and it provides guidance for people dealing with common conditions such as diabetes, cancer and allergies. Written by Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., this book is now in its fourth edition, with a copyright date of 2005.
Nutrition Tune-Up
The first section of the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Total Nutrition" covers dietary guidelines and finding ways to incorporate MyPyramid, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's outline of the five basic food groups, into your diet. Bauer explains how simple and complex carbohydrates as well as protein affect your health, your heart in particular and disease in general. She also covers why you should eat foods rich in fiber and low in salt. Bauer also stresses the importance of making time for meals because food fuels your body, so without it, your energy level, focus and health will suffer.
Making Good Choices
Part 2 of the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Total Nutrition" explains how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Nutrition Facts label can help you to make better food choices for a healthier outcome. Understanding how to read the information found on the nutrition label as well as the list of ingredients is a valuable resource if you know how to use the information. Bauer also explains about genetically modified organisms or GMOs, and how food labels don't disclose certain information. Bauer takes you down aisle after aisle of your local grocery store explaining what to buy and what not to buy; giving you valuable information.
Exercise
Part 3 of the book reviews how to get physical by learning how to create an exercise program. This section goes into detail about the gym, the equipment, what it is used for and what you need to know to talk to the trainer. The guide also covers sports nutrition, including knowing how much and what kind of fluids to drink and what kind of supplements you might need. Bauer goes into detail about the effect exercise has on your heart and lungs, and the importance of a warm-up and cool-down. She also dispels the top five exercise myths.
Special Needs
Part 4 covers nutrition for special needs including diet and cancer, diabetes, heart disease, food allergies, being vegetarian and herbal remedies. Beyond the Basics: Nutrition for Special Needs covers information about cholesterol, blood pressure or hypertension and choosing a diet to prevent heart disease and other ailments. Bauer goes into detail about vitamins, phytochemicals, phytonutrients and phytoestrogens; what they are and why we need them. She goes into detail about soy, green tea and flax seeds. There is also an excellent section on managing diabetes, complete with recipes and a weekly food plan.
Pregnancy
Part 5 explains why you need certain nutrients while pregnant and how to safely exercise without harming yourself or your baby. This section also provides tips and tricks to help you feed your kids healthier meals and snacks to avoid childhood obesity. Bauer details how to adjust your eating habits while pregnant and she explains about supplements--what you should and should not take. Bauer also gives you a five-day meal plan to get you started.
Weight Management
Part 6 of "Total Nutrition" details how you can painlessly lose weight while eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and how to avoid those foods that help you pack on the pounds. Weight Management 101 explains eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating. Bauer goes into detail about the ideal body weight for men and women and how you arrive at your BMI or body mass index. This book also offers a menu journal that you can copy to keep track of the foods you eat and your goals.
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