Eating for Life: Your Guide to Great Health, Fat Loss and Increased Energy!

by Bill Phillips

Did you truly enjoy the food you ate today? Do you really like the way you look and feel? Are you consistently enjoying great health and high energy?
Bill Phillips, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Body-for-LIFE, believes your answer to all of the above questions should be, "Yes!" He feels that food should be a source of pure pleasure. A source of positive, abundant energy! A "sure thing" in a world of much uncertainty.

Phillips, who's widely regarded as today's most successful fitness author, has firm beliefs which go against the grain of today's popular weight-loss methods. "Diets, all of them, are potentially dangerous, most always dumb and ultimately a dead-end street!" he insists. "Eventually, anyone and everyone who's at all concerned with their health must learn how to feed their body, not how to starve it."

Instead, Phillips encourages a safe and sound solution which includes eating balanced, nutrient-rich meals, frequently throughout the day. "This is what works in the long run," he explains.

Rich with common sense and science, Eating for Life has rhyme and reason. It is specific. There are very clear dos and don'ts which help people enjoy food and improve their overall fitness.

Bill's approach, which he calls the "Eating for Lifestyle," has already helped thousands of people break free from the dieting dilemma and discover that, contrary to pop-culture belief, food is friend, not foe. Used intelligently, it nourishes the body and mind, satisfies the appetite, calms cravings, renews health and lifts energy.

Like Bill Phillips' Body-for-LIFE, this is a tell-it-like-it-is book. There's no promise of a quick fix. No metabolic tricks or so-called miracles. Just straightforward, clear, concise, practical and appropriate principles for eating right... for life.

Genres: Health, Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Food, Self Help, Reference

405 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1975

About the author

William Nathaniel Phillips is an American entrepreneur and author. He wrote Body for Life: 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength with Mike D'Orso. He is also the author of Eating for Life and the founder and former editor in chief of Muscle Media magazine and the former CEO of EAS, a performance nutritional supplement company. Other books that Phillips has authored are Anabolic Reference Guide, The Natural Supplement Review, and Transformation: The Mindset You Need. The Body You Want. The Life You Deserve. Phillips made a promotional movie called Body of Work which was filmed in Las Vegas, Nevada and chronicled the first EAS Challenge.

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cookbook. And I can say without qualification ... IF you want to lose some lbs.? Read and follow Phillips' plan and recipe. It works, it's good, and if one takes the time to follow and prepare the excellent and diverse recipes ... those lbs. will go off. And with some regular cal-burning exercise.

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bulk of this book consists of delicious (healthy) looking recipes, however, Phillips briefly describes how to "eat for life." I borrowed this book from the library, but would like to own it for the recipes (hint to John).

[Angelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids can cook out of this book and I love the philosophy behind the recipes. It's the only way I have every lost weight. The recipes do seem repetitious sometimes though.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information was not new to me. I've read a lot of it on the internet. But good info for the most part. Recipes look good and I plan on trying a few.

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was never overweight until I hit my teens--then I struggled for decades with an increasing weight problem that got worse with every diet. I'd collect diets and diet books, Scarsdale, Rice Diet among others, all promising 20 pounds of weight loss within two weeks--and you know what, I succeeded in that. Problem was, that was a weight loss I couldn't sustain, not even long enough to get to goal weight and each time I'd fall away I'd get even fatter. Body for Life, the parent book, made a big difference for me. I lost over 100 pounds. Over the years I've put some of it back--but I didn't ever go back to my top weight--not even close. This stopped the yo-yo-ing.

I liked how the diet portion doesn't focus on calorie counting or weighing and measuring. You get a list of healthy foods, then a meal consists of a fist-sized portion of protein, a fist-sized portion of grains/carbs and lots of veggies. I find that a lot easier to live with than a program like Weight-Watchers. That book, and the program recommended isn't just about food though, but exercise. So this book really is a supplement--but a useful one. A cookbook filled with healthy, tasty, and easy to make meals that are practical for someone with a busy working life and Meal Plans and Grocery Lists that help you put it all together.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with almost everything the author says, but I really dislike the writing style and feel that the whole book could have been written in about one chapter, plus an appendix for recipes. And I think I already knew most of the stuff in there, although some of the ideas were a little different. I like the portion descriptions, and the admonishment against any kind of radical dieting- I believe that wholeheartedly. The recipes look pretty good, but I haven't tried them yet. I was turned off by the before & after pictures of people in bikinis.

Most importantly, I found the menu planning suggestions completely unrealistic for anyone who (like myself) spends 15 hours a day away from home or any kind of kitchen. It's like, if you don't have time to cook, have a nutrition shake! Well guess what, I'm not bringing a blender into work. I agree that it's better to eat fresh, unprocessed foods, and I do the best I can, but I have to figure out how to eat under my circumstances. And the author doesn't even acknowledge that as a challenge for most people.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Bill Phillips' style. It is easygoing and straightforward. It's easy to imagine that I'm sitting in a conference or a workshop of some kind listening to him talk. I believe that much of what he preaches is based on true principles that most anyone can apply in their own lives, even those who, like me, live a lifestyle very different from his. I like how he talks about choice and accountability. I like how he summarizes scientific research into nuggets of information that anyone can understand, and simply puts it out there for you to accept or not. Your choice.

The color photos and recipes are appealing and also very straightforward. I like how many of the recipes show a lined-up picture of the ingredients. It helps me visualize what I need, and also gives me a good visual for ingredients that I may not have bought before, so that I know what to look for in the grocery store.

I started yesterday trying to follow his plan. If it works for me, I'll likely raise my four stars to a five-star rating.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eating for Life by Bill Phillips is a companion book of recipes to the Body-for-LIFE program. Early chapters explain how and why to eat healthy and nutritious food, followed by chapters of recipes for dinner, dessert, breakfast, lunch, and midmeals. Midmeals are the morning snack, afternoon snack and evening snack (10am, 4pm, 10pm). These are times when energy drops (on other diets), and people reach for donuts, chips or cookies. Eating for Life provides delicious and easy recipes with the appropriate balance of nutrients so you can eat healthy snacks and keep your energy level high. The breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes are creative adaptations of familiar meals, using healthier and balanced ingredients. My favorite recipe is for dessert: to a sugar-free dry pudding mix, add 1 cup of skim milk, a 6 oz. carton of fat free yogurt, and a scoop of protein powder. Yield 4 servings, nutritious pudding that’s a delicious treat for an evening snack.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recipes look fabulous and according to my niece they are. I was doing great on Body For Life...for about 3 weeks, until I couldn't gag down one more protein shake or one more bite of grilled chicken. I think this book would have saved me. I am not going to go back on an official Body For Life diet, but instead eat healthy portions and use these recipes to make healthy dinners and serve to the whole family. I still believe in the method, but I tend to go crazy overboard and then burn out. I like Bill Phillips books and was amazed that this one included HIS before and after photos. Pretty great he's changed his body so drastically and kept it up for so many years. The mullet, mustache and beer gut was pretty surprising. Since I haven't tried the recipes yet, I will hold off on giving a rating.

Have since tried a few recipes and they were delicious and healthy.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read my fair share of diet and health books in my day but this is my hands-down favorite. It's a big book and is only available in hardback but is worth every penny. Bill Phillips discusses food, America's problems with it, diets and the problems with those, and then the simple guidelines to: eat for life. The rest of the book shows before and after stories of those who have followed his diet and exercise regime (book: Body for Life) as well as a whole, whole lot of great, easy-breezy recipes with pretty pictures.

I couldn't recommend this enough. It's what I needed to read, hear and know; and I thought I'd read, heard and knew it all.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I are both following Bill Phillips' 12-week Body For Life program. This book is a great resource for us. In it, he spends more time discussing the eating program (Body for Life spends more time on the workouts) and helps a lot. Even if you're not doing Body for Life, this book is amazing. It's a smart, healthy, easy, no-nonsense way to eat that can boost your energy levels within days and transform your body within months. We intend to eat this way for the rest of our lives. The book has hundreds of recipes: for meals, but also tons of snack ideas on protien shake recipes. We literally pull this book off the shelf every single day.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this four stars because the recipes I've tried from the book were great. They even pleased my 10 year old who claims to hate anything healthy. However, the book has too much "filler" and alot of common sense info that I already knew. The recipes within are straight-forward, healthy dishes with uncomplicated ingredients. My son prepared a few of the recipes on his own and was very happy with the results.

[V.S. Carnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best cookbook I've ever seen! We do not go shopping without it. Since my husband does a lot of the cooking--whereas I do the baking--the kids and I jokingly refer to this book as his Bible.
Everything tastes great in this book--everthing. The chili recipe alone is worth the cost of the book. Not only for health nuts or bodybuilders. Big proportions, low cal. We always have leftovers--that do not stay long in the fridge. And it's healthy. Go figure! Literally ;)

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing spectacular, but some interesting ideas - like putting maple syrup on bananas and heating it all up in a pan. Then use it as a topping on low-fat cottage cheese. Half the points of ice cream!

The green chile recipe wasn't anything groundbreaking. When all was said and done, I didn't even notice the addition of gravy to the broth.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I just tell you how excited I am for these receipes?! I'm not a cook and all of them are easy, printed big and most are under an hour. The chapters before the receipes were encouraging and I love his attitude of here it is and it's simple so take it or leave it. I love being in shape, feeling healthy and not having to pick apart every nutrition facts.
Love it. Bill - love you too.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good concept for a diet, and I was able to stick to it strictly for about a month. I lost weight, and felt healthy. However, the recipes aren't really good things to make for the rest of my family, and it was tough to be making 2 different meals every night! So I haven't stuck with it as I originally wanted to.

[Kelley Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is life changing. I have spent my life in a diet mentality. Everything in this book makes so much sense. I can really hear the "author's voice" and eventhough this book is as big as a college textbook, it reads like a novel. It is jammed pack with healthy easy recipes, success stories, and meal plans. I am ready to also read Bill's other book, Body for Life. Here's to a healthy life.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that all the recipes were healthy, I only made 2 of them. One was very bad tasting and the other was just good. After that it was due back at the library. I really don't want to make any more recipes. I'm scared they'll end up as the meatloaf that was awful!

[Janell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are only about 70 pages to read in this book. The rest of the pages are filled with fabulous recipes. This book has made the eating portion of the BLF program much more clear and easy to follow.

[Mandy Sisk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must for the cookbook collection. Many fantastic recipes are located in these pages and, if followed, can be absolutely life changing! I have personally purchased this book for presents! A must have!

[Chelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

DIdn't really provide any nutritional info. The recipe section was the best part, but even those will have to be modified. I was surprised to see white flour and sugar substitutes included in the ingredients.

[bitchrepublic · Rating 4 out of 5]

bought this for my gym diet! Anybody wants a trade?

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good guide and has some great ideas for meals.

[Yvette · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book part is not overly impressive, though the recipes were just the right place to start leaning how to make a decent meal.

Oh, and if you make the enchiladas, use green sauce.

[Cassie DiOrio · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good....

[Angeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not very many vegetarian meals, but I swapped tofu for chicken in many. The Tortilla Avocado soup is crowd pleaser. Great 'healthy' dessert recipes. I love chocolate pudding!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love and use so many recipes from this book. This book gives great recipes for balanced and healthy meals. Everything that I've made from this book has been yum-yummy!

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this cookbook more than any other - very simple recipes that are easy to work into any life style.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

so many YUMMIES in here!!! baked chicken parmesian is AWESOME

[Ladewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great cook book that goes with the "Body For Life" book. It is a little expensive, but it has some great healthy recipies.