Book Review

Skinny B*tch

Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin Running Press, 2005 Reviewed by Marisa Moore, RD, LD Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spokesperson

Claims:

Skinny B*tch was written by a former model and model's agent. The authors claim the book delivers the truth about food, allowing readers to make educated decisions. The Skinny B*tch way is supposed to help you feel "healthy, clean, energized and pure." Freedman and Barnouin equate health with being skinny and say following a vegan, organic diet will make you skinny.

Diet Plan:

This book takes a holistic approach to becoming "skinny." They contend it's not a diet, but more of an educational tool. The authors insist on a totally organic, vegan diet. Breakfast should consist of one serving of fruit only. Lunch is any variation of a fresh, organic raw vegetable salad. Dinner is the heaviest meal of the day, complete with a variety of vegan protein options and vegetables.

Alternatively, the authors provide a list of acceptable meal, snack and condiment options by brand available at natural foods stores. The book includes three weeks of menus, but there are no recipes to help the reader prepare suggested items like tabouli, veggie lasagna or baked teriyaki tofu.

Nutritional Pros and Cons:

Skinny B*tch recommends fruits, veggies, whole grains, soy and legumes as part of an organic, vegan diet, which can be nutritionally sound. Unfortunately, the meal plans and suggested foods lack calcium- and iron-rich foods. The authors encourage the reader to eliminate junk food, all sources of refined sugars and additives.

Freedman and Barnouin are somewhat verbally abusive in getting their point across, using profanity and name calling, which readers may find insulting and offensive.

The book devotes several chapters to conspiracy theories that challenge widely accepted and well-researched scientific guidelines like those set forth in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA's MyPyramid and National Organic Program. Further, the authors go against current scientific evidence in saying the ingredient list is the only thing that matters in the food we eat and the number of calories, fat and carbohydrates are not important to become "skinny."

Bottom Line:

I would not recommend this book. Most of the suggested meal plans are low in calories and will likely result in weight loss. The body of information and recommendations presented are not evidence-based. Additionally, the average reader may find it difficult to adopt a vegan lifestyle cold turkey (no pun intended) to successfully find the suggested foods and to follow this plan long-term.