Author: Michael D. Ozner, M.D.

ISBN: 0-9765084-0-0

The following review was contributed by: Sue Vogan:   To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here

A new way to eat equals a longer life with fewer medical complications. Sound too easy? Dr. Ozner, cardiologist and author, doesn't think so and you won't either after reading, "The Miami Mediterranean Diet." Dr. Ozner's passion about good health grabs you as it leaps from the pages, then he entices you with mouth-watering recipes, and his plan is as easy as passing by a fast-food restaurant on a full stomach.

In part one, Dr. Ozner states that he has successfully used the Mediterranean diet to treat patients in his practice for more than twenty-five years. He further backs the diet up with numerous summaries of clinical trials -- further explaining how this diet works. He writes about each component involved in the diet -- olive oil, whole grains, nuts, beans, red wine, fruits and vegetables, fish, fiber, water, dairy products, and exercise. He uses layman's terms with information that is well-organized -- making it a breeze to follow.

Stressed? Dr. Ozner has "a prescription for a long and happy life" -- "spend more time enjoying" meals "with family and friends." "Relax," take a nap after lunch," and "smile, laugh, and enjoy life."  It's how the Mediterranean people live - healthier, happier, and longer.

If you have ever had a question about why a diet didn't work, Dr. Ozner answers questions we've all had about popular fad diets, good fat and bad fat, carbs, and more. He also explains antioxidant vitamins and micronutrients, the secret to weight loss, and how this diet achieves weight loss while preventing various diseases.

Dr. Ozner also challenges intervention versus prevention. He claims that "what is needed in this country is an aggressive prevention strategy..."  He spells it out further by saying, "an aggressive prevention approach means a radical change in an individual's lifestyle, as well as aggressive pharmacological treatment, if needed, to normalize risk factors for heart disease." He also addresses the "diabetic epidemic and how to prevent it."

In part two of "The Miami Mediterranean Diet," Dr. Ozner offers a "14-day menu plan," that "is not a quick weight loss diet plan but rather a healthy nutritional plan that will help you reach and maintain your optimal weight."  Conveniently, the recipes for each meal are included in the back of the book.

Day one consists of breakfast that includes juice, toast, jam, low-fat yogurt, berries, water, and coffee or tea. The breakfast is followed by a mid-morning snack, a good sized lunch, a mid-day snack, a large dinner, and an evening snack. No one should ever be hungry on this diet -- just healthier.

The recipes include salads, soups, pizza, omelets, main dishes, side dishes, sandwiches, breads, desserts, appetizers, dips, snack foods, sauces, dressings and more. Meals like "chicken and eggplant, smoked fish and roasted pepper sandwich," and "great northern beans and chicken" will wet your appetite and appear easy to prepare.  For dessert, there's "sweet Italian pudding, yogurt nut cake," and "strawberries amaretto," just to mention a few.

This is an all-inclusive guide to better health. From understanding what is involved in achieving better health to the means of living healthier, happier, and longer are in Dr. Ozner's book, "The Miami Mediterranean Diet." A kitchen is not complete without a copy of this book on the counter.