Dana Carpender knows what it's like to live a low carb life, she's not a nutritionist just going by the numbers. It's obvious she likes to eat, loves food and likes variety. The ethnic recipes are a taste treat and worth it even if I have difficulty finding some of the ingredients.

Her section on Ingredients You Need To Know About should be in all low carb cookbooks. Finally, I know the secret of what guar and xanthan gums are, and the difference between soy flour and soy powder and soy protein isolate. It's not likely I'll use any of these but now that I know what they are, I know how to substitute for them and I understand what they're doing in any low carb products I buy. This book and her 200 Low Carb Slow Cooker Recipes book are essential for anyone forced to live on a low carb diet.

I checked both books out of the library and kept them until mine arrived from Amazon. Dana Carpender's two books are the best low carb books I have even nudging out George Stella.

When the low-carb craze was hot, I jumped on the bandwagon. It was easy then...low-carb products filled the store shelves. There were bars, shakes, candy, low-carb meals, and low-carb selections at almost every restaurant! I lost lots of weight and felt better than I had in years! But, suddenly, it all went away and I was forced go it alone! I struggled, going back and forth between low-fat and low-carb. I had almost given up completely when I found this book accidentally online. This book has truly made the low-carb lifestyle easy for me AND kept it interesting. There are enough simple, rich, delightful recipes in this book for one to NEVER go back to low fat. My favorite is Burger Scramble Florentine, a delicious one-skillet meal made with real cream cheese. I use ground chicken, which is even tastier than ground meat! I plan our family's meals out of this book every week. You've GOT to own this one (and "500 More Low Carb Recipes") to stay on low carb. Thanks to Dana Carpender! I can't wait for the next one!

Sorry.. but very disappointed In the use of Artificial Sweeteners in so many of the recipes.. especially the deserts.. In a healthier world we should be getting away from the chemicals.. It's only a matter of time till we find out what the latest man made sweetener is doing to our bodies.. I wish the author would have used another ingredient..

LOVE IT. SIMPLE ENOUGH FOR MY HUSBAND AND 14 YEAR OLD SON TO USE AND NOT MESS IT UP. GREAT TASTING.

Can't say I use this one too much. Most recipes seem bland. Yes, I know Atkins/Low Carb can be bland but...just didn't keep me interested.

This is the best thing that has come my way since I went "low-carb" two years ago! I use at least 4 or 5 recipies per week out of this cookbook. I only wish I had found it sooner! Sauces, salads, dinners, desserts... you name it, it's in there! Most recipies are very easy and include ingredients I have on hand. LOVE IT!
Deb F. (CT)

What an excellent resource for people living with Celiac Disease! Most of the recipes in gluten-free cookbooks are just weird, using bizarre substitutes for wheat, and tasting even more bizarre than they sound. On the other hand, this book has hundreds of recipes that are gluten-free, including cakes, pies, and gravies. I am so grateful to my friend Sharon for suggesting this low-carb book for my gluten-free diet. Its opened a whole new world of food for my family.

This is the best low-carb recipe book I've found. Easy-to-follow instructions, inexpensive and delicious recipes abound in this book. Dana gives you lots of tips which help you think out of the box to alter ingredients for your taste/budget. I'd recommend this cookbook to anyone who is going low-carb.

This is a great book for people on low carb diets. My kitchen smells great right now from one of the dinner recipes that is cooking. Lots of useful information and ways to make condiments, and baked goods that are edible.

Not as good as I had hoped. I purchase this back when first began The South Beach Diet (During the low-carb phase), however when I recieved it I was dissappointed. It's a large book, with lots of recipies, and not single picture (that I can recall) of any of it's recipies. As a beginner to cooking healthier meals, it's more enticing for me to see some scrumptuous pictures of the some of the meals I'm going to be trying out as I head down the road of a healthier lifestyle. I may pull it out and look it over again one day, but for now it's collecting dust on my bookshelf.

Completely agree with other reviews. The author gives recipes that are do-able for families on a budget, so mom (or dad) can watch her carbs and not have to cook seperate meals. I also love the bits of information offered at the front and throughout the book. Must have for anyone watching carbs.

Seriously, these recipes are great. There are so many ideas for those of us who have exhausted our use of the same old proteins. Some recipes use specialty ingredients that low carb cooks are used to, but not to such an extent that the results stink. Anyone that has been doing low carb for awhile knows exactly what I'm talking about. Plus there are tons of recipes with simply fresh, everyday ingredients just used in a different way than one is used to - at least for me.

These recipe ideas are diet savers. They give a new spin to the same old ingredients. When you want to give up on this WOE because you're tired of eating the same old chicken, ham, pork, beef, etc - give this book a try instead. It's awesome.

This recipe book has plenty of variety. You can make a different chicken dish every day of the week and not get bored. A lot of different spices are used to make even low carb food interesting.

These recipes make sense. They taste just like the food I ate before starting the low carb life saving way of eating. No one will ever know, if you don't tell them, that any of this food is good for them!!

I have been on living low carb a long time. I have nearly every book Dana has written. I think if you are trying low carb or living low carb you should have her books. She's funny, she's encouraging and besides that, I haven't made a thing in the book that wasn't fabulous (how many cookbooks can you say that about?). If you are going low carb in life, take Dana's cookbooks with you. It will add interest and taste - afterall, serious low carbers know it's more than bacon and eggs - and what other diets allow such rich foods!

A must for those on low carb diet plans, this book gives stress-free, easy recipes and outlines the carb content of each one.

Dana Carpender is a freaking genius!!!!!!!! I made pancakes yesterday with ricotta cheese, eggs and vanilla whey protein powder (the kind you make shakes out of) They were WONDERFUL, and my husband pigged out on them. Dana Carpender has thought of EVERYTHING; the ingredients are easy to find and her recipes are simple and easy to make but they taste delicious!!! I KNOW I can now stay low-carb for the rest of my life as long has I have Dana's help in the kitchen. She has thought of everything, from bread, cakes, cookies, wonderful & creative veges from soup to nuts!!! This is the very best low carb cookbook on the market and I have about 10 others that I will never use again (anybody want them?) I love the part where she gives the breakdown of carbs and protein content in the food. ***Don't buy Rachel Ray's GET REAL MEALS - she uses honey, white pasta, bread, rolls and processed sauces that are sugar-laden; who is she kidding?!?!?! Rachel Ray's version of low-carb is a joke!!! Dana Carpender knows what she is doing!!!!! I highly recommend this book!!!

I own this and cannot tell you how helpful it's been!!

I think the best thing about this cookbook is that the recipes don't depend on soy. Soy flour is often the substitute used when adapting a non low carb recipe. But Dana does this sparingly. For those of us that don't like using a lot of soy, or cannot tolerate it, this book is a must!!!

I own this and cannot tell you how helpful it's been!!

I think the best thing about this cookbook is that the recipes don't depend on soy. Soy flour is often the substitute used when adapting a non low carb recipe. But Dana does this sparingly. For those of us that don't like using a lot of soy, or cannot tolerate it, this book is a must!!!

This book by far is the the easiest receipe book that I have ever used, it is stressfree and enjoyable. The ingredients are not hard to find and with simplicity in mind. It will be used on a weekly basis in my home.

A friend recommended this book..Its wonderful, I have tried several things everything was as presented..

I have several of Dana Carpender's Low Carb recipe books and have made many many recipes in them. I have been low carbing since 2003 and its nice to have variety. I especially like serveral of the recipes from 15 min recipes book they are quick and easy. I really love a number of the recipes from all of her books and mark any changes in the margins. The only bread product I have made from her books is Zucinni Bread. I have come to realize that I don't miss bread much and by its nature low carb bread subsitutes tastes different and have a different texture than high carb counterparts. I did enjoy the Zuchini Bread and froze the slices in individual baggies so I wouldn't overeat it.

I received this book as a gift. There are quite a few books on this subject on the market and this one is the best. I too could not put it down and finished it in 3 days. It's a huge book, a great resource that is well researched and written.. I have a few friends who've purchased this book and really loved it too. I can highly recommend this book.

Author of
The Truth aboutt
Cafffeine

A great cookbook for all of those who are hypoglycemic like I am! If you've had a hard time finding cookbooks with low carb counts than this a great one for you. A word of caution, this is not a good book for anyone who can't afford to pay health food store prices.

Marina Kushner
Author
The Truth About Caffeine: How Companies That Promote It Deceive Us and What We Can Do about It

This book really surprised me. So far ALL the recipes I have tried I have found amazing and as the carb count is included in each one it is really easy to organize your menus! Everyone should have one of these! The only thing I would change is I would include pictures, although this would probably make the book more expensive...

Tried several recipes from this book...they were quite basic but turned out ok.

The worst thing is the breads...the recipes are totally off...the bread are simply aweful...so very very bad that they were not edible. A complete waste of time and money...and I do mean money... the ingredients are so expensive.

EVER CAUTIOUS, I GOT THIS BOOK AND CARPENDER'S EVERY CALORIE COUNTS COOKBOOK FROM THE LIBRARY. I TRIED OUT ONE RECIPE FROM EACH, AND IN EACH CASE THE DOGS WILL HAVE TO GET RID OF THEM. THE RECIPES, FROM 500 LOW-CARB RECIPES, TUNA MELT CASSEROLE, P. 282. THE SECOND, FROM THE SECOND BOOK, HIGHLY VEGETABLEFEROUS MEAT LOAF, P. 321. HERE, I DIDN'T EVEN ADD THE SPINACH INSERT WHICH SOUNDED TERRIBLE. EQUALLY INEDIBLE. WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM LOSING WEIGHT ON THIS KIND OF FOOD. FROM A PREVIOUS READER'S REMARKS, AM NOT TEMPTED TO TRY ANY OF THE DESSERTS. HOW DO SUCH BOOKS GET PUBLISHED?

Well, thanks to Dana I now know that I hate blue cheese and don't particularly like guacamole. One of the cracker recipes - ICK! But the reason I know that is because I actually dared try the recipes in her book.

She has an excellent writing style that makes you want to try out her recipes. I've eaten foods that I never even considered purchasing in the past. Dana has definitely opened my eyes and taken me beyond meat and potatoes suppers and turkey sandwich lunches!

I've had a few total bombs from this cookbook - I've also had some huge hits. It is all about personal taste. I had tried low-carbing in the past and made it exactly 1 1/2 weeks until I couldn't take one more lettuce-wrapped chicken salad lunch. Dana has given me options and step by step instructions on how to cook low carb. She has taken me past the boring recipes I had tried in the past and opened up a whole new way of cooking.

I wish she would have included calorie counts in this book but I'm still giving it 5 stars simply because it is a book I refer to every single day when planning out my meals.

Seriously, this cookbook is excellent. Even though I didn't like some of the recipes, that is because of my own personal tastes. Buy this if you are are serious about low-carbing. Dana's variations will teach you how to low-carb to your own tastes.

IF you already know how to cook this book is an "insult" - it's so basic it's laughable. Plus most of the more "interesting" recipes can be found online at any of several low-carb web sites. I also found that there were editorial mistakes - like the temperature which to bake a cheescake was eliminated. And mistakes on the author's part in which she does not indicate the size pan to use - which DOES make a difference in the final outcome of any baked item. The author also uses ingredients that are HARD to come by in her recipes without giving substitutes.

All in all I was quite disappointed! But in all fairness - it would be a good "starting" cookbook for those folks who are lacking in the culinary arts.

Most of the recipes I tried in this book didn't turn out right or where downright nasty for example the Tuna Melt Casserole and the Sesame Cookies.

Maybe I need to experiment with more of the recipes, but I felt a bit let down.

I've had this book for over a year and have been continually amazed by the recipes in it. Even people who swear off low carb food will love your meals... as long as you don't tell them it's healthy. The first recipe I cooked was the Sopa Azteca... if you haven't tried it, buy the book today and cook the soup tomorrow. I think the worst experience I've had so far resulted in a soup that tasted only slightly better than something that comes out of a red & white labelled tin can.

Probably the only bad thing I can say about the book is that I've noted a few editing errors, for instance a recipe calls for a sauce that is on another page... but it lists the wrong page number.

I would gladly pay a lot more for a sturdier, maybe even color edition of Dana's cookbooks. :)

With word from my Doctor, that if I didn't cut my carb intake by a lot, I would end up a diabetic, I have begun to make changes. I really like this book. I have tried several things with success. Not everything is perfect, but when you need to make changes you do it or you won't be around.

One of my biggest gripes when it comes to cookbooks is the dish is either too timely, costly or 'fancy'. I love to make simple dishes that are cheap on my budget, quick on time and has an easy name to pronounce. This is the book that does all three! I'm thrilled with most every recipe I've tried and I use it most everday.

Some of the best things about this book:
~Recipes usually have few ingredients, with an average amount being 5-7 (it seems).
~Those ingredients are things that are relatively easy to find or buy.
~The book would cover all levels of low carb, from the beginner to the skilled low carber.


As with everything, there are a few cons to the book, in my opinion.
~She gives all accurate carb count and protein info, but doesn't include calories. There's a reason for this, I've come to believe. Her dishes are so very good which usually causes the calories to be a bit on the high side (for my own plan).
~There aren't any pictures. This is a let down for me, but with the simplicity of the recipes, you can also picture the end result in your mind too.
~Very few slow cooker recipes, which is something that I personally think all cookbooks need several of.

If you buy any book for your collection, this would be the one I'd say don't miss. I don't think it's possible to be disappointed.

Don't even bother buying another low carb cookbook. This is the best one there is. There are no bad recipes in this book.

I have only had this book a few weeks but have tried several recipes. All have been GREAT! My not-eating-low-carb spouse has even liked them. I love the Pumpkin Cheesecake. I have been low carbing for over a year so finding a cookbook with new ideas was great. I also found the hints in the front of the book helpful.

I cannot beging to tell you how great this recipe book is. I have been on a low carb diet for over ten years, but it wasn't until I got this book that I truly learned to cook low carb. The recipes are all so good, the ingredient that are needed that are out of the ordinary are expained fully, and thankfully are readily available. Whenever I feel myself getting stuck in a rut in cooking dinner, I reach for Dana's book and get re-inspired. An absolute MUST HAVE for any low carber, anyone trying to feed their kids less sugar and still put something on the table that everyone will eat, and anyone currently not inspired to cook.

What a relief to not have to worry what to cook for dinner. Every recipe has been a winner!

This book actually had some great recipes in it. It's getting harder and harder to find something new, but I did! I only wish that each recipe had a more complete chart on the nutritional value, not just the carbs and protein. I did like the option of leaving out the carbs for tortillas and some breads so that you could simply add in your own depending if they were low-card or regular. Very good book.....

Low carb might be fading, but the Glycemic Index diet is just starting to gain speed and these recipes fit well in that plan.

These books, along with my favorite, "Carb-less In Seattle" not only taste great but are low GI recipes and have helped me/and other family members lose a significant amount of weight. The bread tastes like real bread, not the like the weird stuff most people were marketing as low-carb bread.

If you're into the whole low carb thing (which is fading fast), then this book will help you out a lot. It's chock full of recipes and the author has laid them all out pretty well so you can find things very easily. Readers interested in losing weight might also enjoy "The No-Beach, No-Zone, No-Nonsense Weight Loss Plan, A Pocket Guide To What Works."

This book is great! It has really good recipes that are fairly easy, it also has desserts, salad dressings, salads and really good marinades that are all low carb and healthy! Most of the recipes in this book use spenda as a sugar substitute so if you don't like splenda you could use regular sugar. But this is a great cook book!

When we embarked on low-carb for weight loss, I feared heaps of red meat and tiny bits of veggies. This cookbook has great general information and wonderful recipes. I have enjoyed every one so much, I passed the recipe on to other low-carbers and recommended this book - something I never do. Very good choice for us.

This book is a godsend for people wanting a low-carb lifestyle, but also need quick (family-friendly) recipes. I started the South Beach diet 2 months ago and I was longing for a more diverse set of recipes. The recipes are written clearly, use practical and easy to find ingredients and taste great. The Chicken with Artichokes and Red Peppers has become a family favorite and is easy to make after work. Dana Carpenter also gives you practical low-carb solutions for sugar-laden sauces (i.e. ketchup and teriyaki sauce). If you can only buy one low-carb cookbook, let this be the one.

If you have changed to a low carb way of living, you may need to update your cookbook shelves. This is a grand choice for your treasured basic cookbook. It is diverse, and well tested. It covers lots of basics.

One shining example is her pumpkin pie with a pecan praline crust is good enough that when you bring the regular pastry crust pie, and the diet pie with the pecan praline crust, the diet pie is devoured by those who swear that they detest diet food.

She has some wonderful salad dressing recipes that lack all of the sugar that the commercially available dressings have.

For the people who still think that low carb is all bacon cheeseburgers, hold the bun, read all of her vegetable recipes. She can help people to reach out to vegetables that they have never tried.

Her cookbooks are always great to read for ideas. I may or may not prepare her recipe as it states, but it will inspire me, and give me ideas, and suggestions as to what I can do with what.

Her suggestions of what to do with steaks are wonderful. The woman does respect a piece of meat, but gives subtle tweaks to really bring out the flavor, rather than simply drowning it, or overwhelming it.

Most of the main dish foods in this book work quite well even if your whole family doesn't eat low carb. If some members of your family eat low carb, and some don't, you can always add starchy sides for the other family members, but let me warn you, once the family sees your "special food", they'll wonder why they have their plain vanilla side dishes, and will be grabbing for your food!

She is more respectful of the dietary decisions that low carbers make in her choices of ingredients. Many so called low carb cookbooks are still filled with empty starchy carbohydrates, like white flour. Dana takes the high road, without making weird ingredient substitutions unless she really has to. Her foods are really good because they are real foods.

If you have tried to get with a low carb way of life, and have had problems with boredom, his may be your tool. If you find yourself cheating, this may be your best hope. If you live with a low carber, cook up a few dishes from this, and show them how considerate, and gifted you are. If you bring her foods to any pot-luck event, nab some early, as her foods go fast.

As a confirmed 'low carber' for years now (and years after the constant ravenous hunger of the low fat route), I am delighted with the honesty and variety of this gem of a book. The introduction itself should be a primer for all new to the low carb way. Dana, who is not dealing with theories but the personal reality of 'low carbing,' provides a vivid and entertaining treatment of the value of low carb diets and the need to accept that one is 'low carb for life.' (I mention this, in particular, because there is a popular and dangerous assumption that 'low carb' is a temporary programme. No wonder that it is incorrectly thought to be a failure.)

The recipes, though not on a par with gourmet cooking, are superior to, and easier to prepare than, others I have seen in books for the low carb market. They do not require exotic, expensive ingredients in most cases, nor, as with some other books in this genre, are they a veiled advertisement for exclusive mixes and other products.

I am hoping Dana writes yet another book, and that there are a few additions. This book has a disproportionate amount of space devoted to snacks, desserts, and starters, where many of us low carbers have little need for these. I should like to see more main dishes - though a number are included, many are repetitious (numerous hamburger recipes, various Thai and Mexican variations, yet not one recipe for pork ribs, for example.) A number of the recipes are based on preparation for large groups (6-12), and are not easy to proportion for one or two people. The sauce recipes can be repetitious (for example, garlic butter and garlic bleu cheese steak spread), yet do not include variations on gravies to serve with roasts.

Overall, it is the most worthwhile low carb cookbook that I have seen.

I bought Dana's 15 minute low-carb cookbook first and was so impressed I just bought this one. I love them both!

I've been on (and off) low carb for several years now. Actually, I had been more off than on for several months. I was just very bored with the food. These two cookbooks have inspired me and I've even started losing weight again.

I'm an avid cookbook reader and collector but Dana's cookbooks contain ideas I haven't seen anywhere else. Yet, for the most part, I find them easy enough for weeknight cooking.

If you're sick of eating low carb, YOU REALLY NEED THIS COOKBOOK!

My only complaint about this book is that many recipes call for artificial sweetners, canned foods rather than fresh, and other un-natural additives such as whey protein powder.

Three cheers for Dana Carpender! This book is loaded with USEFUL low-carb recipes that even cooking dunces such as myself can prepare with reasonable success. Every recipe is easy, made with just a few ingredients, and involves only a few steps to make. This is the key formula to low-carb success, as far as I'm concerned.

I have tons of post-it stickies hanging out of this book, marking my favorite recipes. Some of the ones I like the most are "Smoky Cauliflower and Sausage," "Spicy Peanut Chicken," "Instant Shrimp Stir-Fry," and "Pork Chops and Sauerkraut." Whatever your tastes, there is something in here for you. Again and again, this is the recipe book I reach for.

In addition to the wonderful recipes, Dana offers some great information about low-carb products on the market, and suggests which items to keep on hand in your pantry.

I also recommend Dana's book "15-Minute Low-Carb Recipes," which is almost as wonderful as this book!

I liked this book because there were a variety of low carb recipes. Any low-carb cook book that includes a recipe for Cinnamon Raisin Bread has my vote. I also liked learning to make my own low-carb ketchup.

With everyone low carbing it- at least we have a great cookbook
with fast, easy and delicious recipes to follow!

Excellent book.