Member Reviews
This was an interesting title - I want to learn low calorie recipes so that I can eat my fill and still be healthy.
As a vegetarian, it was a nice surprise to find a section with only vegetarian recipes.
However, as we do not eat egg substitute or cheese with all our meals - i will be modifying these recipes for myself.
I was surprised that almost all recipes use cheese - i am not sure how that would work if you are trying to lose weight.
surprisingly for a cookbook, there were no photos - but maybe that is part of being healthy - if i dont see it, i cannot be tempted by it! :)
Quick and Easy 400-Calorie Recipes is filled with comfort food recipes reduced in both sodium and calories. Each recipe comes with full nutritional information. Unfortunately, there are no photos included.
I also question some of the directions. In More Like Your Mama’s Tuna Casserole, for example, putting cooked egg noodles in a slow cooker for 7-9 hours on low sounds like a recipe for disaster (or at least mushy and/or broken noodles).
On the other hand, some of these recipes are really innovative. Making mole sauce with a can of tomatoes and some spices is an awesome, and gluten free, idea! It also only takes twenty minutes to cook. Will it taste identical to old fashioned mole? Probably not, but close enough with almost no calories and little work is a win for me.
Quick and Easy 400-Calorie Recipes is rather hit and miss for me. I need photos to get my mouth watering. Still, it does have some ingenious ideas for reducing calories so 4 stars from me.
Thanks to New Shoe Press and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.
Quick and Easy 400-Calorie Recipes is jam packed with recipes that are high in fibre and nutrients and low in salt and saturated fat. All – you guessed it – come in around the 400 calorie mark. All involve easily sourced ingredients and straightforward preparation methods. Measurements are given in both metric and imperial.
A couple of things to be aware of. These recipes do not include any added salt which literally won’t be to the taste of everyone. Also there are no pictures of any of the recipes, something which I personally missed.
If you’re looking for healthy recipe ideas, why not start here?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, New Shoe Press, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are some really great recipes in this book! It gave me a lot idea for new meal ideas that I wouldn’t have thought of.
In all good conscience I can not recommend Dick Logue’s, “Quick and Easy 400-Calorie Recipes,” because throughout his cookbook recipes are written using ingredients filled with no-fat cheeses and no-fat sour cream, as well as egg substitutes.
Most scientists and health professionals agree that eating these FAKE products are actually worse than using their full-fat counterparts because to generate TASTE manufacturers fill these “PLASTIC” or GENETICALLY MODIFIED products full of sugars, salt and ingredients that are WORSE than the naturally occurring ones in the real full-fat, more wholesome versions.
Consequently, other than a few salads, grilled meats and veggies that are no-brainers, this is a very disappointing cookbook and dieting reference that anyone caring about good health while reducing calories should avoid at all costs.
JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Dick Logue, and New Shoe Press / Quartro Publishing Group USA for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.
So many amazing recipes, I’m looking forward to trying some of these out.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
This book was strongly 'just okay' in my opinion. I do want to acknowledge that developing recipes that are so low in calories while still retaining enough nutrition to be healthy and filling is no easy task, so I applaud the author for aiming to meet the interest in these kinds of meals.
However, after reading through and trying out a recipe, I'm left a little unsatisfied. The book doesn't include any photographs of what the finished dish looks like. There are no appealing and inspiring images to kickstart one's interest in diving into the recipes. It's true that a cookbook doesn't necessarily require pictures, but if a book is going to forgo that route, it ought to develop a certain personality in the recipe's descriptions (Peg Bracken's 'The I Hate to Cook Book' is a great example of this). This book doesn't really do that either, so what you essentially receive is a list.
The recipe I tried out was the 'Better Than it Sounds Pasta with Tofu' which turned out fine. It was a little basic, with the addition of tofu being the only real twist to the standard pasta with veggies and red sauce recipes most of us have probably thrown together at some point or other in our lives.
I'm giving this book 3 stars, as it's organized neatly by meal and does what it says on the cover. If you just need some recipes to hit a certain nutritional goal, this book seems okay for that. However, it doesn't have anything particularly inspiring, informative, or unusual about it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds, New Shoe Press for an advanced copy to review.
"Quick and Easy 400-Calorie Recipes" really does its best to make a transition to healthy eating as simple and fuss-free as possible. The meals themselves are all very manageable to prepare for any level of home cook on any day of the week. However, where this really shines is the delightfully large variety of different dishes to choose from. There's something here for everybody!
Quick and Easy 400-Calorie Recipes by Dick Logue is a short book which contains the story about Logue's health scare experience and resulting low-calorie diet. He mindfully includes nutrient-dense ingredients in his recipes to ensure a balance and he never adds salt to his food. He also explains his six top ways to change eating habits. For me 1,200-1,600 calories a day would be low but this works for him.
Though I can easily envision recipe outcomes in my mind without photographs, they would be helpful to inspire or draw one to a particular recipe. These recipes are simple (simple is often best!) and would appeal most to new cooks; there is nothing novel for experienced cooks. However, for those who are busy and yearn for the nutrition calculations and calorie counts to be done for them, this would be a great resource. Sometimes one craves a lower-calorie meal, if not a low-calorie lifestyle.
Some appealing recipes include Not Exactly Eggs Benedict, Stuffed Cantaloupe, More Than the Usual Shrimp Remoulade, Honey Fried Chicken Dinner, Pure Comfort Beef and Barley Casserole, Touch of the South Bourbon Pork Chops, Oven Fried Fish and Meal in a Potato, The meals do look delicious and the guesswork is done..
My sincere thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - Fair Winds and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book.
This cookbook is a useful tool to have in your back pocket when you want to keep your calories to 1200 a day. It is based on the research of a number of doctors and nutritional experts. There are 6 key areas that he focused on: low energy density, high nutrient density, focus on fresh minimally processed foods, low sodium, low saturated fat, and high fiber. There is even a section on changing the way you think about what you eat.
This cookbook includes: traditional breakfasts, lunches and light meals, and dinner options that are broken down into the following: chicken and turkey, beef, pork, fish and seafood, and finally vegetarian. Each recipe has the serving size and nutritional information. The ingredients seem easy to find and he even gives substitutions if you can’t find them. An example of this is using navy beans if you can’t find cannellini.
So overall a no fluff, simple but still flavorful guide to having balanced, healthier meals throughout the day. It would have benefited from pictures, but overall it is helpful to use for planning your meals.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group-Fair Winds, New Shoe Press for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.
I really wanted to like this book, but the lack of any pictures for the recipes was a big turn off for me. I appreciate the simple recipes, even if some of them aren't very original, but for a modern cookbook - especially a diet one, where you know the food might be a little less "tasty looking" but good for you in the long run - good pictures are an essential part of the experience. Still, I would like to try some of those recipes - if I had an idea of what the end result was supposed to look like.
In my exploration of the "Quick and Easy 400 Calorie Diet" cookbook by Dick Logue, I am pleasantly surprised by its well-organized layout, which enhances the overall reading experience. However, one aspect that left me slightly disappointed was the absence of pictures accompanying the featured dishes. While this might not affect the functionality of the book, visual representations of the recipes could have added an extra layer of appeal.
One standout feature of the cookbook is the serving sizes provided for each recipe, making it an ideal choice for families. The emphasis on balanced and nutritious meals is evident throughout, reflecting the author's commitment to promoting healthy eating habits. What sets this book apart is the inclusion of detailed nutritional information, including data on carbs, fat, and calories. This valuable information simplifies meal planning and facilitates effective calorie management, making it a practical guide for those conscious of their dietary intake.
A personal touch is added to the cookbook by including the author's backstory, offering readers insight into the inspiration behind the recipes. This thoughtful touch contributes to the overall engagement with the book.
The cookbook is thoughtfully divided into sections, each featuring a diverse selection of meals, ensuring that readers never experience culinary monotony. The Dinner section, categorized into poultry, beef, pork, seafood, and vegetarian options, particularly stood out to me. This segmentation adds variety and caters to different dietary preferences, making the cookbook versatile and appealing to a broad audience.
Despite lacking ample pictures, the book's simplicity is a notable positive aspect. The straightforward presentation makes it accessible for all, from beginners to seasoned cooks. The absence of unnecessary complexities enhances the practicality of the cookbook, allowing readers to focus on the essentials of healthy cooking.
In conclusion, the "Quick and Easy 400 Calorie Diet" cookbook is a commendable resource for those seeking a straightforward approach to balanced and low-calorie meals. The absence of an extensive visual component may be a drawback, but the cookbook compensates with its user-friendly layout, nutritional information, and diverse recipe offerings.
I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds and New Shoe Press for providing me with the e-book in exchange for an honest review.
The most bland boring recipes I've ever seen. Low calorie doesn't have to be boring. For the most part it's the same recipe but just different titles.
I've found many new-to-me-recipes in Mr. Logue's books. This new one, Quick and Easy 400-Calorie Recipes, was no different. The recipes are easy to follow with minimal ingredients.
Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.
Since dieting I love low calories recipes.
I can not wait to give them a try.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for arc.
I only found like two or three recipes I’d want to try so this was a letdown for me to be honest. I’m a picky eater so maybe that’s why but it didn’t seem very varied meat wise.
—Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’m so excited to make all of these recipes. All of them look so yummy!
I like to think of myself as a pretty seasoned cook (pun not intended!). A lot of these recipes sound excellent, with really good alternative ingredients to keep calories low and each has important notes about portion sizes and the breakdown of fat, protein and carb content. There's also a good mix of meat and vegetables in the meals, even dividing the meat type by chapter, which I personally appreciate.
However, as the text rightly says, food is something to celebrate. How can you expect someone to be motivated to make these small healthy changes if there's no photographs throughout the entire book?! Walls of text are overwhelming.
Issues or changes around someone's relationship with food can be incredibly traumatic. If this is a new (and likely intense) change that someone's making to their diet, being met with black and white pages will not motivate them. I adore food and yet even I struggle getting excited for any of those dishes after pages and pages of black and white text with no break.
As someone who has a boyfriend who goes Keto for 6 months of the year, this book is great to find food we both can enjoy!
One of the standout features of this recipe book is its versatility. The author incorporates a wide range of cuisines, ensuring that there's something for every palate. The recipes are well-curated and thoughtfully designed to keep each dish at or around the 400-calorie mark, making it an ideal resource for those watching their calorie intake.
The instructions are clear and concise, making the recipes accessible even for novice cooks. The ingredients are commonly found in most grocery stores, making it convenient for most people and shows that it can be easy to stick to a low calorie diet whilst still keeping your palate entertained.
Having images of the finished dishes would significantly enhance the overall experience. Photos not only make a dish seem more appetising but also help users gauge portion sizes, which is crucial for anyone closely monitoring their calorie intake. I want to be able to see that a particular dish is going to fill me up and satiate my hunger before I start cooking.