By Daniel G. Amen, MD

Crown Archetype (2011)

Reviewed by Angela Ginn, RD, LDN, CDE

Claims

The Amen Solution is an easy to follow brain-based program to lose weight and keep it off for the rest of your life. The program will help you lose weight, improve memory and boost your mood at the same time.

Synopsis of the Diet Plan

This is a 10-week program to get control of your brain and your body for the rest of your life. A summary of the program includes: Amen solution overview (understanding your numbers) and keeping a journal; Know your motivation to get healthy; Eat right to think right and keep track of what you eat; Know your brain type; Take your brain supplements; Learn nine secrets to conquer your cravings; Rev your metabolism; Kill the ANTs (automatic negative thoughts); Practice directed focus; and Bust your barriers.

The Get Smart to Get Thinner diet plan focuses on brain-healthy foods that make you thinner, smarter and happier.

Rule 1: Think high quality calories in versus high quality energy out

Rule 2: Drink plenty of water and not too many of your calories

Rule 3: Eat high-quality, lean protein throughout the day

Rule 4: Eat low-glycemic, high-fiber carbohydrates

Rule 5: Focus your diet on healthy fats

Rule 6: Eat from the rainbow

Dr. Amen’s Typical Brain Healthy Meals:

Breakfast: barley cooked with apples, dried cranberries, pecans, cinnamon and unsweetened almond milk; herb garden frittata with egg whites and vegetables

Lunch: smart spinach salad; chicken breast sandwich on whole-wheat pita with hummus, cucumber and olives

Dinner: ginger glazed salmon with ginger root, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, soy sauce and honey—serve with quinoa and sautéed spinach; healthy turkey chili; grilled tofu in a soy ginger sauce

Snacks: fresh guacamole and red bell peppers; celery with almond butter; apple slices with almond butter

Journaling is a critical part to The Amen Solution. Keeping track of daily food and beverage intake, also tracking activity, what you’re grateful for, things that motivate you and quality of sleep. Taking brain healthy supplements are equally important with following the eating plan. The basic supplement regimen includes MVI, fish oil and vitamin D. Based on your brain type there is a recommended supplement for treatment. For example, emotional overeaters would take vitamin D, fish oil, SAMe, DHEA, B6 and B12.

Nutritional Pros and Cons

Pros: The Amen Solution is a comprehensive weight-loss plan that focuses on brain health and the impact of being overweight, which will increase the risk of losing brain function over time. It encourages healthy food choices such as fruit, vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy and healthy oils. Throughout the book it has testimonies from patients who have followed The Amen Solution. The book also allows the reader to understand barriers of weight loss and provides motivation to get healthy for lasting weight-loss results. Physical activity is promoted to enhance brain power rather than weight loss alone. Meditation encouraged through this program can improve psychological well-being. Dr. Amen discovered this program with his extensive years of providing treatment for anxiety and depression and his program improved brain health and resulted in weight loss.

Cons: None discovered

Bottom Line

This book will excite you to improve your brain health by eating healthy and staying active. Along the way you learn more about your emotions and motivation to be healthy and lose weight. This book is worth a try and is a great read. Consult with your health-care provider for restrictions for exercise and/or supplement use.