The Complete Idiot's Guide to the TLC Diet

Book excerpt: The TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) Diet is a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet that was originally designed to help high-risk patients reduce their high blood cholesterol levels, as well as lowering risk for developing heart disease and suffering future heart attacks. However, this diet isn't just for those dealing with health problems, because recent studies have also revealed that TLC happens to be one of the healthiest and best overall diets for anyone interested in a healthier lifestyle. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked TLC as the #2 best overall diet, as well as being one of the best diets for heart healthy eating (#2) and overall healthy eating (#2). The TLC Diet was created by the National Institutes of Health's National Cholesterol Education Program and is considered a medically-sound and well-researched diet. As opposed to gimmick diets that are often debunked, this diet will be around for the long term. However, unlike other diets that offer a step-by-step plan, TLC requires effort and attention on the part of the follower for long-term success. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to the TLC Diet offers readers a structured program not only for eating and cooking for TLC success, but it offers guidance for healthy lifestyle changes that will provide a non-gimmick, medically-proven plan for anyone interested in healthy, life-changing results. Readers will learn the often confusing differences between "good" and "bad" cholesterol, how to cook and eat right to get the desired results, and how to change their lives for the better with this sound, healthy program.