I have had an ARC of this book on my Kindle for a horrendously long time because even when I committed to make myself finish it, I just couldn't read much before I either got annoyed, frustrated or bored. The author tries far too hard to be cool and modern, with painful results. I don't want to read a nutrition book by someone acting snarky and conversational with words like sh*t and who seems like she's trying to prove she's simultaneously the coolest and smartest nutritionist in the world. I want references, studies and real science. London bashes lots of other dietary advice, but kind of in a "I'm an expert and I say so" way or by saying that it didn't work for her clients instead of with actual data and good information. She seems to relish in trashing dietary fads and teachings in an almost competitive way, like she takes them personally and has a grudge against someone whom she wants to belittle. I agree with lots of her advice but I don't agree on others, and I didn't really want her smug and smarmy insults on topics where I disagreed. Most of the basics of her advice are sound but nothing new, and it's all written as a rambling, unprofessional mess.

I read a digital ARC of this book for review.

I've been yoyo dieting since I was in my teens and it sometimes feels like I've tried most fad diets. Then, 8 years ago I just stopped and ate whatever I wanted but that didn't work out for me either.

So, on my doctor's advice, I've been trying to find a reasonable way to lose weight but it is hard to cut through all of the different diets and the hype. Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked) is great at helping weed through the different opinions and to find a simple, systematic and factual basis for healthy eating. Jaclyn London approaches the different diets and "facts" in a concise and clear manner and gives concrete suggestions on how to eat better and healthier for the long term.

Another new year to re-evaluate our lives and our diets. This book was a refreshing on many levels. The author starts out, “It’s January 1, and your head feels like it’s going to explode…You’re hangry; your headaches, your eyes are puffy; your face is puffy; hell, your right toenail looks a little bloated…Okay, think, you say to yourself. Who would know how & where to start?”

She then talks about how her mother called tells her she’s on the Wholesome diet she’s lost 10 pounds, she talks to her cousin Joe and he’s into fasting he’s lost weight too and is feeling great. She reads her favorite blogger and she’s into the “just apples” diet. She wonders if it’s for real. She talks to her dad who informs her the Dr. has him on a low-sodium diet. She goes to work, and her co-worker is on the detoxing plan. She thinks Clean-Mean-Grean-2b-lean protein shake. Maybe that’s the deal for me. There are so many more diets she could have mentioned Keto, Paleo, South Beach – each works for a short period of time but what works for me. She starts out the chapter by saying; I’m so confused. “Ditto! I’m right there with her. I realize that one diet doesn’t fit ALL!! I enjoyed how she went about getting down to the nitty gritty and helping readers think about “what is healthy for them”

This author did a great job of not only opening my eyes to what words meant, deciphering what choices are healthy, and realistic in our fast-paced lives but she made learning funny and entertaining. She helps you get the correct information for you, your life style, and taste buds.

The author reminds readers there is no magic pill or dream away diet plan out there. We have to do our part in getting the facts about maintaining a healthy body. She helps readers uncover the truth in the medical information we are bombarded with she says, “My point is that not all science you hear about day-to-day is created equal.” She tells readers what to look for and how to get to the bottom line. I enjoyed this authors’ refreshing approach to a healthier you. I learned so much.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine https://www.bookfun.org/page/past-issues-book-fun-mag

I was not sure what to expect with this one. I am trying to be more healthy but so many books on the subject are so boring. This one is not. It was fun and informational and I did not feel hopeless or stupid when I read this. This science based and very understandable. If you have been dubbed by other fad diets and boring self help books try this one. You will not be disappointed.

DRESSING ON THE SIDE (and Other Diet Myths Debunked) is a new "diet" book by Jaclyn London, the nutrition director at Good Housekeeping magazine. She is obviously well-credential in terms of both work experience and degrees (MS in clinical nutrition, plus RD and CDN). However, that may have contributed to the difficulty I had in reading this book. There was so much text it was hard to navigate and, frankly, it was not made easier by the many boxed inserts involving "protips" and other information like the guide to party eating or to snacks before bed (who knew cheese and crackers were a good choice?). London indicates that she has "11 Science-Based Ways to Eat More, Stress Less, and Feel Great about Your Body," but I could not figure out who was her intended audience. Sometimes, the text includes very scientific terms and then on other pages she tries to be cute by inserting characters like * into inappropriate words. Her advice also seems inconsistent; for example, advocating eating breakfast every day, but then saying to hold it to 100 calories (p.48) and add part 2 at some later undefined time. Overall, I found there were too many rules and steps. With so many choices available, I recommend looking for a much simpler overview to eating well.

I wrote about this title and will provide the details and link in the next section when I can send opinions to the publisher

Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

While I don't care about weight loss personally, I really wanted to read this book because I cannot stand bad science (::cough:: Goop ::cough::), and I've gotten into many Twitter wars (and real life arguments at my gym) over the Keto diet and so many comment section fights on a popular blog over the lack of scientific evidence for many of the wellness (diet, supplement, and even immunology topics) posts on their sites. Everything I've seen from Jaclyn London on social media/her media appearances has seemed like she has a similar crusade against the misuse or disregard of science, which is refreshing. Despite being a year away from finishing my PhD in health sciences (not dietetics), I'm a researcher/academic and not a clinician, so I was eager to read the insights from a true expert in the field.

It's a quick read and it's well-written. More importantly, it's grounded in science and therefore promotes evidence-based practices. It dispels a lot of the myths, inaccuracies, and misinterpretations of research that are out there, including a few of my favorites, including detoxing, eating "clean", and calling out pretty much every fad diet. While she mostly disproves their claims and says why they're generally a bad idea for people who want to be healthy, she does acknowledge both sides of the argument and discusses any science that may support elements of the diet for particular populations (like Keto for children with epilepsy, for example). I like that she includes that, so she doesn't come across as just writing them off completely.

Her level of snark is perfect, it feels very conversational, is direct, and she makes the science she uses very accessible to an average reader. I also really appreciate her take on social media, including the importance of "metabolizing" what we see and not letting someone's highly-styled smoothie bowl make us feel bad about our muddy-looking (but still delicious) attempt at our own smoothie. There really isn't anything in here I didn't like.

She also gets bonus points because she includes legit references at the end of the book (this has quickly become the first thing I look for in books like this, because so many books seem to omit them now and it's super frustrating). And, unlike a lot of books in this and similar genres, she's not selling a line of supplements, or life coaching, or online workshops, which adds to the credibility and legitimacy of her arguments in this book. She has nothing to gain from this book except the sales of the book — the book is her only product, compared to other books that are like "and now buy my 6-month personal meal plan for $199.99, or my one-on-one coaching for $1200."

I can tell that this book will definitely get some negative reviews, but I think it will likely be from people who are devoted to the myths she busts in here and aren't ready to face the scientific truth that their beloved weekly green juice detox cleanse is B.S. There isn't any bad advice in this book from a scientific or health standpoint. So, if you want to read accurate information that lets you make well-informed choices, read this book. If you want to read something that will support trendy diets that are popular among instagram-influencers (who are probably being #sponsored, btw) but may not actually have any science to support it, then this book isn't for you (but I'm sure Gwyneth will post something pretty for you soon).

I like that this book starts by saying that you don't need to diet just because everyone else is.  I like that it suggests we change the language of dieting and body shaming and body behavior.  I like that it addresses toxic thoughts and suggests ways of healing from all of that.  But it talks a lot about an Information Jungle and in my opinion, this book IS an information jungle.  There is A LOT of information and it goes on and on and on in text and uses very little diagrams and illustrations to show information.  There was no new information, I have seen a lot of books like this.  I am giving it 3 stars because I like the beginning where it suggests healing and changing our self-dialogue and accepting ourselves as we are, but overall I think the book went on too long on some topics and I would have liked to see more illustrations or diagrams to show information.