cover image Eating Stella Style: Low-Carb Recipes for Healthy Living

Eating Stella Style: Low-Carb Recipes for Healthy Living

George Stella, with Christian Stella. . Simon & Schuster, $17.95 (256pp) ISBN 978-0-7432-8521-6

The host of the Food Network's Low Carb and Lovin' It turns his popular show into text, punctuated by many exclamation points. He has a lot to be excited about: in the introduction, Stella offers his own case history as encouragement, explaining how he lost 260 pounds and helped his wife and children trim down, too, by avoiding sugar, flour and other insulin elevators. The first chapters share tips on building a strong support system and eating until you're satisfied, reading labels and shopping the outer aisles of the supermarket. Most of these will be self-evident to anyone who's tried to diet before; what Stella brings to the equation is a folksy optimism and a Dad-like sense of humor. Building on the Atkins diet, Stella's plan emphasizes fresh whole foods, and most of the recipes are starchless versions of casual restaurant cuisine, like Chicken Fajita Salad, Chili-Rubbed Baked Salmon, and Lemon Meringue Pie. Stella acknowledges the importance of moderation and shows readers how to prepare the occasional sweet, plate of pancakes or cocktail. While neither the diet nor the food are innovative, this work will surely resonate with some readers. (Jan.)