This book is based on a mix of the familiar food pyramid and healthy lifestyle tips (eat less, exercise more), and the diet can be summarized as: eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and limited, though reasonable, amounts of carbs, protein and dairy, and fats. It does a good job of explaining the importance of a balanced diet in losing weight. The book is very well written and clearly organized, with colorful pictures of all the food items and explains the portions sizes and what the foods will do for you.