Wheat Belly Total Health: The Ultimate Grain-Free Health and Weight-Loss Life Plan by William Davis

Wheat Belly Total Health: The Ultimate Grain-Free Health and Weight-Loss Life Plan Reviews

• 
  Marilyn

  So, it's no longer wheat, barley and rye . . . corn and rice have been added to the list of foods to avoid; which will make baking more difficult for me, especially since I use three different kinds of rice flour.
  
  However, since I feel so much better sans grain, the adjustment is well worth the health benefits (for everyone)!
  
• 
  Reiden

  I think I enjoyed this book more than the first Wheat Belly. The first book covered a lot of ground in explaining why wheat is harmful for human health, due to our stomach's inability to properly digest grasses. This book in comparison, starts with the assumption that the reader already knows of the harm wheat causes our species. The focus of this book looks at how to regain health after a lifetime of consuming wheat. For example, how to recognize nutrient deficiencies that wheat often leads to, as well as other problems such as thyroid issues, diabetes and heart disease.
  
  I personally eliminated all gluten/wheat from my diet a year ago due to health issues I was having. Now I read food labels thoroughly, and avoid gluten like the plague. While I came to this book already knowing that gluten wreaks havoc on my body, I have been looking for further motivation to now eliminate other grains (rice, corn, oats, etc) as much as possible. While these other grains don't cause the immediate damage to my health like gluten does, I know that I feel healthier when I avoid them.
• 
  Abbey

  I have to return this to the library - it's on hold by someone else. Managed to read about 1/3rd. I'm interested in the subject, but a little skeptical when it comes to any diet which excludes an entire food group forever (and this one excludes two large ones). I also wonder about the repeated statement that early man didn't suffer from the same degenerative diseases that we do - could that possibly be because the average age of death was so much younger that those diseases just didn't have time to develop. I somehow doubt we have an extremely large database of autopsy reports on early homo sapiens, so I'm less than convinced that the basic premise holds up under scrutiny.
  
  That having been said, of course, if you eliminate grains and dairy from your diet, you will lose weight - no question about it. The real question is: a. is it healthy; and b. is it sustainable? Still, interesting book and worth reading.
• 
  George

  I read the book with a skeptical eye. Davis uses global arguments to support specific conclusions--a logic error. He also uses fear of big government, agribusiness to support need and compel change. If you don't buy into that, you're probably not going to buy the anti-grain argument which is the thesis of this work. The author wrote the book to appeal to a large audience, a lot to consider and one of many 'findings' about food opiates. Part Three deals with total continuous health into the future and how to reap the benefits of a better mind and body--that's the best part of the book, to my reading. It deals with specific deficiencies, which might occur because of grain deficiency, or merely be extant. Good advice in any event. Following all the recommendations in the book requires a significant life style change.
• 
  Jeanette

  Since my endocrinologist recommended I ditch gluten (soy and dairy too) I thought I'd find out more about how gluten affects thyroid dysfunction. In order for the bulk of the book to make sense, one must first believe his thesis statement that humans aren't evolved to be grain eaters (eg: we're not giraffes) and that only in times of desperation did our ancestors choose to consume them. I thoroughly appreciated his sections on thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune diseases, as it made for one of the clearest associations that I've ever read between food and inflammation. His section on agribusiness was thought provoking. The book was an easy yet informative read (with sections reiterating previous info allowing for skim/scanning) with humorous touches and just the right amount of doctor-speak and research for my summer brain to appreciate.
• 
  Sarah

  This book is super redundant. The same thing is said chapter after chapter. Also I am not a fan of blaming every single malady with wheat. And I have a PhD in nutritional neuroscience...
• 
  Sandra

  This was a good book. It goes into more details beyond just not eating grains. It tells you how to have total health. It tells you how to heal your body after the grains are gone, and why you may still have some problems. He tells you how to correct the problems and gives some recipes for correcting the problems. This goes into more details than the first book, since he has learned more. I think this is a must have book along with the two cookbooks.
• 
  Barbara

  What a great book! Very convincing about the negatives about eating anything grown from grasses, i.e. wheat, barley, corn, etc., and the health conditions that can be improved by changing your eating habits. Lots of research to back up the author's claims. Anyone interested in losing weight or improving their health has to read this book!
• 
  Renee

  Some books tell you not to eat this or not to eat that but do provide valid information to back up why you should apply what you are reading. I wish I had read this book years ago! This book reinforces what my doctor has me doing and confirms the things I have experienced. Amazing!
• 
  Yolanda

  This is such a redundant book, chapter after chapter.
• 
  أثير

  First of all, I must admit that I started reading this book out of mere curiosity with a platter of wholewheat sandwiches on my lap. I am by no means a nutrition expert, but this book didn't convince me enough to stop consuming not only wheat but all other grains! The writer stresses and repeats A LOT that seeds of grasses are the ultimate culprit of all our health problems which includes but not limited to diabetes, skin rashes, autoimmunity, hormonal distortions, joints stiffness and pain ,, etc. He calls for cutting not only wheat but other grains including oats, rice, corn, rye, barley! I didn’t like the writer stating everything as facts rather than debatable findings. Therefore, I do believe that some people are suspictable to the claimed side effects but its not the same for all. However, I have to say that I came out with a great deal of information regardless of whether I’m a believer of what he claims or not.
  
  يزعم الكاتب بأن كل بلاء يصيب الإنسان في عصرنا الحالي من أمراض مختلفة سببها أكل الحبوب ومنتجاتها والتي تشمل القمح والأرز والشوفان والشعير والذرة وكذلك الحنطة، فهي كما يرى قد خُلقت للاستهلاك البهيمي وليست صالحة للاستهلاك البشري وذلك لاحتوائها على عناصر غير قابلة للهضم من قِبل البشر والتي تؤثر بشكل مباشر على امتصاص العناصر الغذائية الأخرى ولها آثار بعيدة المدى على الهرمونات ووظائف أعضاء الجسم المختلفة، أعترف بأنني لم أقتنع بحديثه كثيرا على الرغم من عرضه لكثير من الدراسات التي تدعم رأيه ومع أن خلفيتي الدراسية بعيدة كل البعد عن هذا التخصص إلا أن طرحه للموضوع كحقيقة مُثبتة وهي مجرد نظرية قد تحتمل الصواب أو الخطأ :قد قلل من مصداقية ما ذكره لدي، بالإضافة إلى أسباب دينية فلم يحلّ الله أمرا فيه ضرر لنا فقد قال تعالى في محكم كتابه:(“ والأرض وضعها للأنام * فيها فاكهة والنخل ذات الأكمام * والحب ذو العصف والريحان ”) والذي يرد في معنى الحب: البر والشعير.
• 
  mono

  α - I had read
  Grain Brain during April last year and have all but cut out sugar in my diet. I think it mentioned that a slice of bread can spike your blood sugar more than a soda.
  
  Φ - I'm skeptical that wheat could contribute so heavily towards so many diseases and not result in a class action lawsuit towards the American Heart Association... The OMG GMOs WFTBBQ! reaction doesn't provide enough evidence to warrant that trendy reaction. And most of the evidence presented to support the case for cutting out grains is entirely anecdotal. It would've been nice to have data presented visually to get a better idea of the results to see what exactly is the most significant.
  
  * - notes to self - Melatonin (a hormone associated with sunlight) & 5-HTP can be used to improve sleep quality.
  
  Ω - I'm still skeptical after finishing the book. The main advice of the book is to avoid processed foods at all cost - an expensive & time consuming proposal. If I was very overweight I would probably consider it, but I'm not. I think intermittent fasting and sleep are more important factors - well, as long as you're eating something other than garbage. I need more evidence to stop eating grains completely - mostly because factory farming makes it too hard to avoid eating literal shit meat.
• 
  Ashley Kmieciak

  4.25 First things first, So. Much. Information. 😬🤯
  There is so much information but even just a few days in I saw improvement and a few weeks most my symptoms are completely gone.
  This book allowed me to get a better understanding not just on "gluten free" But wheat as a whole. It helps to see it as a life style not a new phase or diet but physical scientific proof that it works and more understanding then I ever imagined.
  The only thing I did not like is that many things were repeated over and over again. I'd read it going 'I already knew that because 2 chapters ago you said that.'
  Definitely recommend if you are going grain and wheat free or just having mysterious health concerns.
• 
  Deborah Davidson

  This book appears to be a doubling down on a theory that is not proven. It is not a diet that everyone needs to be on and focuses way to much on the danger of now beyond wheat, all grains which has no science to back it up. It also spends very little time on alternative solutions such as fermentation. Which while receiving mention I are not emphasized enough as actually solving gut issues. It felt like the entire book was meant to prove a point that many don’t agree with and I’m not sure why. Earlier books with more recipes are much more helpful.
• 
  Jacqueline Wheeler

  This was an Okay book - I guess I'm just bored with reading the same type of health books. A few years ago, everything used to be eating gluten free and paleo, and now everything is geared toward gut health and keto. I agree with all those forms of eating, but I wish a book would be written that is much easier to read. A lot of these have a lot of science behind them, but I'm not the type of girl that understands any of what they are saying - I like books that have the plan and recipes written out.
• 
  Sandra

  Jury's still out on much of this Doctor's premise regarding weight loss and improved health by cutting wheat and other grains out of your diet. However, I took it all with a grain of salt, and have already begun to incorporate these ideas into my daily life. The personal testimonials alone give me inspiration to finally rid myself of these unwanted pounds. This is an easy read and fairly straight-forward.
• 
  Mr Reads

  Interesting and good information. Parts seemed a bit extreme and like some foods were guilty by association only. If having serious health concerns, worth giving it a shot. Doesn’t seem maintainable long term. Would be nice if more focus on solution as apposed to on problem. It’s easier to say take this out but when it’s about 50% of most diets (as mentioned in book) what should it be replaced with?
• 
  David McNamara

  This book is a mixed bag of sensational wording, handy resources, broad knowledge, and short-sighted conclusions from someone who I was not convinced is discerning enough to be reliable.
  I'd say pick and choose what you want (but do your own research) from the book's broad array of topics: the problems with all grains, benefits of being grain-free, grain-free diet, transitioning to grain-free, thryoid, endocrine sytem, autoimmunity, weight loss, supplements, etc.
• 
  Georgia

  An amazing book that every American needs to read—especially if you’ve been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, a Type II diabetic, overweight, or obese. For that matter, even lean and healthy people need to read it if their diet contains any wheat or grain products. It was an eye opener for me and has changed my life.
• 
  Mike Sherman

  Could have been summarized in 10% of the pages. or a few words "all wheat and other grains are bad, omit them from your diet." The explanations are not very compelling nor is the diatribe against capitalism. He states theories as facts and includes very little actual proof. Yuval Harari in Sapiens had a more credible if less conspiratorial explanation of the inclusion of grain in human diets.
• 
  Charlotte DeMolay

  I rarely leave two stars and the information in the book was pretty good. The problem was the repetition. The same information was repeated constantly. I felt like the author could have cut this book down by about 40-50% and the message (and all the accompanying info!) would have still be presented.
• 
  Angie Kowalzek-Adrians

  I pretty much got the gist of this book after the first chapter. I feel the author repeats himself way too much and each chapter reads as though it’s a standalone and the reader will not remember anything read from previous chapters.
• 
  Mskychick

  The amount of hyperbole in this book is untenable.
  And I disagree with much of his pseudoscience explanations. I was hoping to glean some nuggets of truth from this book, but I can’t tolerate the rest of the book to see if there are any nuggets to be harvested.
• 
  Michelle

  I enjoyed this book - I listened to it on Audible. Lots of information. An entire chapter just on Thyroid issues. I haven't read the first Wheat Belly book, but this book is standalone - you won't feel lost if this is your first exposure to Wheat Belly lifestyle.
• 
  Kathi

  I read WHEAT BELLY (the original book) about ten tears ago. This is a follow-up with more reach.
  
  Thoroughly researched arguments with examples, but parts read like college textbooks, and my mind wandered (over my head). Very motivating.
• 
  Sasha

  The information is insightful but dry dry dry! My biggest takeaway which I have lived to tell is eliminating grains also eliminates depression and anxiety. I'm in a much better state of mind. But this book is too long and dry to recommend.