Under the auspices of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, Flynn, a research dietitian at the Miriam Hospital and assistant professor at Brown Medical School, studied the effects of a plant-based olive-oil diet ("PBOO") for overweight women who had undergone breast cancer treatment, compared to a low-fat diet recommended by the National Cancer Institute. Her conclusion--that the plant-based olive oil diet is both more effective and more satisfying--is the basis for this combination research/recipe book, penned with the help of Barr, a cookbook author formerly associated with Julia Child. The authors explain that the PBOO diet concentrates primarily on foods that women should eat in order to lower their risk of breast cancer or to ward off its recurrence, while omitting foods associated with risks; the focus on olive oil and veggies leads to improvement in blood lipids, blood sugar, and insulin, all biomarkers for breast cancer. Part II presents a 1,500-calorie diet that includes 150 simple, affordable, and enticing recipes, ranging from breakfasts, salads, and sandwiches to main courses and desserts. This user-friendly and preventive diet plan will benefit every woman concerned about breast cancer and health.
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Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
Knowing women who have gone through breast cancer and having a risk in my family as well, I paid attention when I saw this book. The Pink Ribbon Diet is the result of a study on the effects extra weight has on women with breast cancer (who tend to gain during treatment) as well as those who don't have it but are at greater risk because they are overweight. The findings show that a higher fat (olive oil) plant-based Mediterranean diet not only helps women in all stages of recovery manage or lose weight, but it also helps women who don't have cancer to lose weight and nourish their bodies with cancer-preventative nutrients while also improving biomarkers like insulin, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
I confess I was skeptical at first, thinking this was another diet that was full of "don't's", but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the recipes (there are 150) are great and foods that are discouraged aren't missed. I love soups and there are plenty to choose from, along with sandwiches, baked goods, casseroles and salads. Meat is allowed, as are cheese and eggs, but in limited quantities for reasons the authors give based on the study. This book isn't pushing vegetarianism, but documents real reasons why some meats in high quantities increase the cancer risk, whereas whole grains, olive oil, vegetables, and fruit actually help the body fight cancer and lose weight. The book outlines a 1500 calorie diet and gives sample weekly meal plans along with recipes and advice on how to stock a pantry with more healthful, cancer-fighting foods.
This is a diet book that does restrict calories and some foods while focusing on those that promote healing and weight management. The reasons for the restrictions are based on what increases the risk of cancer and what helps prevent it. This book should be read and used with that specific goal in mind, and should be shared with any woman who is a breast cancer survivor, has been recently diagnosed, or who wants to lower her risk of getting the disease.
