Bowes and Church's Food Values of Portions Commonly Used

I purchased this book several years ago when I started counting carbohydrates. A nutritionist recommened it as being the most comprehensive resource of its kind. I have found it invaluable. The fact that is not only contains prepackaged food, but fresh foods, meats, homemade items and even some common restaurants (along with many many other catagories), makes it THE perfect resource.

This book is for those of us on special diets that do not want 'special' books telling us what to eat, but neglecting to tell us what not to eat, or for those of us who just want to judge for ourselves what is good (or bad) for us. This book contains very complete information, including canned foods by brand, candy, gum, alcohol beverages, foods prepared in many ways, virtually any foods, even poi. The values listed include alcohol, calories, water, protein, carbohydrates, sugar, dietary fiber, fat, saturated fatty acids, monosaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol, vitamins A(RE), A(IU), C, B-1, B-2, B-4, B-12, D, E, E (as alpha-tocopherol), K, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid. Also sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, iron, copper. Amino acids, caffeine, gluten, iodine, pectin, phytosterol, purines, salicylates, selenium, theobromine. What more could the dietary conscious want?

I have been a diabetic for many years. My new doctor advised me to get this book so that I could count carbohydrates more accurately. It is a great book for diabetics. My new doctor can now treat me more efficiently. Thanks.

Too many food guides for diabetics give food equivelants in volume (i.e. cups) measure. When comparing spaghetti to ziti or large cubes to small cubes, the amount contained by a cup varies significantly. Bowes & Church's, (the first book in which I found the nutritive values by weight) had lacked sugar and monounsatured fatty acids data. That deficiency is now corrected. Some food catagories have been expanded (i.e. Varieties of summer squash are now separately listed). This is definitely the best compendium of food nutrient content that I have found.

This book follows in the tradition of the prior editions which I wore out from use. It has a fabulous index and lists foods as the title states, in commonly used portions so you can put your calculator away.