A nutritionist and the author of 20 books on health and healing, Gittleman here offers a companion cookbook to her best-selling The Fat Flush Plan. The three-phase plan calls for a strict avoidance of white rice, white flour, salt and sugar (Gittleman prefers Stevia Plus when she simply can't avoid sweetness) and the embrace of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The 200-plus recipes include dishes for each of the plan's phases (which will mean nothing to readers who don't own the original volume), from breakfasts to snacks to desserts. While the fat flush philosophy seems commonsensical, the plan itself is rigid, if not downright draconian, and the puritanical zeal with which Gittleman expounds upon fat-flushing may begin to grate on any but the truest converts. Half a grapefruit, broiled with 1 teaspoon of honey, is a "special occasions" snack, flaxseeds are everywhere and Fragrant Fat Flush Meatballs use cauliflower in place of breadcrumbs: for a foodie, this is some dispiriting stuff. Nevertheless, while the utter lack of salt does her recipes some disservice (in Phase 3 recipes, there is occasional permission for "salt to taste"), Gittleman's reliance on fresh herbs, which she cites for various healing powers, wholesome ingredients and easy cooking techniques makes her cookbook worth a look for those serious about making big diet changes. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved