CATEGORY

Dr. Phil fans should be delighted with a book of more than 100 recipes that complement his best-selling Ultimate Weight Solution and pledge to "taste better and cost less" while avoiding refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, salt, and sugars. Though your taste buds might have to readjust a bit, Dr. Phil promises that you won't find "skimpy diet-type meals that taste like wallpaper paste," nor will you have to fix separate meals for non-dieting family members. If you need structure, his "rapid start" 14-day menu plan, averaging 1200 calories/day, will get you going. You'll find updates of familiar classics with Huevos Rancheros, BLT (using turkey bacon or meatless bacon and light mayo), No-Fry Chicken-Fried Steak, Southern Oven-Fried Chicken (Grape-Nuts and egg white batter), Mac and Cheese, Guacamole (with tofu), and Three Bean Chili. Or explore new tastes with Curried Tabbouleh, Moroccan Chicken, Halibut Baked in Packets, and Asian Tofu Stew. Desserts range from Poached Pears to Apricot Cheesecake (Chocolate lovers will find Mocha Fudge Pudding, but no chocolate cake.) Recipes include a nutritional analysis: calories, protein, carbohydrates, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, sugars, and sodium. Most recipes seem heavy on meat and light on vegetables, however. --Joan Price