I had high hopes for this book. Those faded a bit with the author's insistence that eating at home every night is practically impossible. I appreciate the encouragement to eat berries. I do wonder if the diet means trading one disease for another unless the berries are organic. I was just left feeling neutral about the book as a whole.

I've read a lot of books about health lately. What I didn't realize until I read this book, though, was how much food can actually have an effect on your brain. This book goes into the science of what you should be eating to help keep your brain healthy. It is very easy to understand, and I kept notes while reading it. The only thing I can say is that it was difficult to read on a kindle because of the charts that are included. I would have preferred to read it in print and see the charts on a whole page. Other than that, though, the book is worth reading if you would like to know how to keep your brain healthy, especially as you reach your "older" years.

I gave this book four out of five stars. I was given this book for my honest review.

The Official MIND Diet by Dr. Martha Clare Morris was engaging, well-written, and well-researched. I enjoyed reading the information and recommend it to anyone looking for more information on the topic.

I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This is definitely a hot topic for our aging population and I've hosted experts at the library who have talked about ways we can stave off Alzheimer's but the idea of changing your diet is definitely a big part of it. Of course it's more important to have people eating a brain healthy diet starting at a younger age rather than trying to switch things up as you get older. Great book.

The Official MIND Diet is based on the research and notes of nutritional epidemiologist Martha Clare Morris. The book was published posthumously with contributions from Dr. Morris’s daughter Laura Morris, registered dietitian Jennifer Ventrelle, and nutritionist Dr. Christy Tangney.

Part 1 presents the research behind the diet. Although I was already familiar with the MIND diet, I found the research interesting. Part 2 discusses the recommended foods and the foods to limit. I love that the diet is so flexible and that you can benefit from some of these changes without following the diet slavishly. Part 3 discusses tools and practices to help you succeed with the MIND diet and to lose weight if that is a goal for you. I already monitor my diet and plan meals, but these practices can be very helpful if you haven’t already implemented them. Part 4 presents the official 6-week program to implement the MIND diet. I didn’t need this, but I imagine it might be very help for those who are new to this style of eating.

Part 5 consists of MIND diet recipes, and this section alone offers tremendous value. It includes more than 60 easy and delicious recipes designed to increase your consumption of MIND diet foods. The recipes are organized into breakfast; main meals; sides, salads, and snacks; sweets; and sauces and toppers. Recipes are clearly written with helpful notes and include number of servings, prep time and cook time, MIND points, and detailed nutrition information per serving. Most of the recipes are simple to make if you have basic cooking skills, and most of the ingredients should be easy to find if you don’t already have them on hand.

Those who are motivated to cook by seeing photos of the finished product will be disappointed, because the recipes are not pictured.

I’ve been delighted by all of the recipes I’ve tried so far. The Blueberry Pie Overnight Oats and the Chia Seed Pudding with Berries are sweet treats that can serve as breakfast or as dessert. The White Fish with Olives and Artichokes was rich and satisfying and will become part of our regular rotation. Black Bean Veggie burgers were delicious but a little tricky to prepare. The Carrot, Ginger, and Leek Soup was very flavorful with a thick, creamy texture we loved. The Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Savory Sauce were amazing and will definitely become one of our regular sides. I haven’t tried any of the smoothies yet, but I intend to.

The back matter includes notes, an appendix with the MIND Diet Program at a glance and a sample meal plan, and an index.

This book offers a clear explanation of the MIND Diet and useful tips for implementing it, as well as a variety of simple, delicious recipes. I highly recommend it.

I was provided an ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review.

This book is a wonderful source of information. I received an early kindle copy to review and loved it so much I preordered the hardback!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Spark for the opportunity to read and review this book.

THE OFFICIAL MIND DIET by Martha Clare Morris outlines "A Scientifically Based Program to Lose Weight and Prevent Alzheimer's Disease." The majority of the text is about the science behind the diet; there are chapters on research and benefits of specific foods. In terms of application, there is a toolbox section which suggests tracking your consumption, using a calendar for reminders, and menu planning. Only about twenty-five percent is devoted to the sixty or so recipes which are included. Morris led a team of researchers at Rush University Medical Center and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to develop the MIND Diet. Her daughter, a professionally trained chef, has worked with a registered dietician to compile this text and included recipes with nutrition information for dishes like Veggie Hash with Eggs or Smoked Paprika Chicken with Seared Green Beans. However, there are NO pictures in this section of the preview (despite its appealing cover). The final ten percent of the book contains notes, references, and a poorly formatted six week at a glance chart. As valuable as this scientific and health information may be, my impression is that readers who are interested in exploring this diet will largely be convinced of its merits and be more interested in trying to develop motivation to prepare some of the recommended foods. I am tempted to look instead at titles like MIND Diet for Beginners (with 85 Recipes and a 7-Day Kickstart Plan), The 30-Day Alzheimer's Solution, or Blue Zones Kitchens. They seem to have many more appealing images and less text and tasks.

This book was fine, I just couldn’t get into it

~This was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

As someone with a family history of Alzheimer's Disease, I have been researching lifestyle changes to improve my brain health. In The Official Mind Diet, I found diet recommendation that have been shown to decrease the likelihood of getting Alzheimer's Disease. I found the recommendations easy to understand and implement. I also appreciated the approach that this isn't an "all or nothing" approach. Every increase in the 10 recommended foods and decrease in the 5 foods to avoid, may lead to improved health. The 6 week plan is quite doable, does not require supplements, but does require some planning when grocery shopping. I will implement these dietary changes and follow this diet to improve my brain health.

I'd never heard of the MIND diet, but the description intrigued me. The book is full of sound wellness advice. I'll definitely add blueberries to my diet. It is written in an organized, engaging way. Dr. Morris passed away before this book was written or published. It is alternately written by her daughter and a colleague.