GREAT READS

LOW CARB HIGH FAT BARBECUE: 80 Healthy LCHF Recipes for Summer Grilling, Sauces, Salads, and Desserts By Birgitta Höglund (Skyhorse Publishing)

After reading the success stories in every issue, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a thread running through many of them: poor health prompts a radical change in diet. The same goes for the author of this beautiful book. Birgitta suffered from fibromyalgia and also injured her back badly, so she tried a low-carb high-fat diet. You know the outcome, of course: her health was restored! One of the things that sets this recipe book apart is the fact that Birgitta has 18 years’ experience as a chef. Reviewer Suzy Gibbs says: ‘Easy recipes we can all make, but restaurant rock star quality results!!! Dy-no-mite! [sic] Your book and easy methods make anyone look like a restaurant chef.’ A few recipes include ingredients particular to the northern hemisphere, but there’s still plenty to choose from: Coffeemarinated pork belly, we’re looking at you! Also try Birgitte’s Low-carb ketchup on page 40. Add this book to your collection to take that braai up a notch.

LORE OF NUTRITION

By Tim Noakes & Marika Sboros (Penguin Random House) We all know Emeritus Prof Noakes’s inspiring story: after hearing about research that was contrary to everything he (and the rest of us) had accepted about nutrition, this A1-rated scientist delved into the matter and, once fully convinced, shared the message with South Africa. So far, so good. But what followed was a charge of professional misconduct brought by the Health Professions Council of SA. Finally, after proceedings that took a year, he was cleared. Lore of Nutrition gives the ins and outs of LCHF, a blow-byblow account of the hearing, and Noakes’s take on the ‘code of silence’ that he feels pervades the scientific and medical community.

THE KETOGENIC COOKBOOK: Nutritious Low-Carb, High-Fat Paleo Meals to Heal Your Body By Jimmy Moore and Maria Emmerich

(Victory Belt Publishing) When Google released the top search terms at the end of last year, the ketogenic diet ranked among the most searched in the diet category. It’s long been the dietary protocol for controlling epilepsy, but read Sally-Ann Creed’s article on page 12 before you jump right in. Her advice? Approach with caution. This cookbook offers more than just the 150 recipes; the first section explains ketogenic nutrition and its potential positive effects on your health, and recipes include keto versions of bread and pancakes that, you’ll be happy to hear, don’t disappoint.

YOUR LIFE – TRAIN FOR IT By Bear Grylls (Bantam Press)

You’ve seen Bear’s TV series, right? He’s the UK presenter who takes you along on his wilderness survival escapades, chomping insects and worse (you don’t get more LCHF than that, tbh!). Bear is pretty humble – he starts out by saying he’s not a natural athlete. Pfft, we say. One of the things we like about Bear’s book is that it does take individual differences into account. Another thing we liked is the focus on getting a good workout – combining cardio, weight training, yoga and high intensity interval training – in as short a time as possible. So if you’re thinking of starting to move, try this. You don’t need a gym contract or any kit – or much time. As he says, ‘There’s a magic to just beginning…’

Some great new low-carb reads.