Book Review: Eat Your Way to Happiness

Don't focus so hard on skinny jeans that you miss the one of the most powerful side effects of eating right and exercising -- being a happy person most of the time. You know, one of those spring-in-their-step types that genuinely loves their life, sleeps like a baby, smiles easily and is filled with boundless energy. Elizabeth Somer's new book, Eat Your Way to Happiness, reminds us the right foods coupled with exercise have a synergistic, immediate effect on your mood and cravings -- critical factors in the size of those jeans.

A registered dietitian and author of Food & Mood, Somer knows her stuff. The book includes 10 easy-to-understand diet secrets peppered with real-life success stories. If you're clueless about healthy eating, but feeling like you've got to do something to shed weight and lose your bad mood, this book is a terrific tool to educate and motivate. If you're a layman-genius in diet and fitness, Somer's assessment tools will help you identify your food and fitness areas that need tweaking.

Here's a sneak peek at a few of Somer's secrets and promises:

• Follow The 1-2-3 Rule: Follow this for a week and your energy will rise. After a month midday craves will diminish as your brain sharpens. Stick with it for a year and lose 15 pounds or more. This one is all about breakfast. Consistently combine one to three servings of a quality, high-fiber carbohydrate, two servings of fruits or veggies and one protein. Make sure that whole-grain, low-sugar cereal has fruit on top, then don't leave any milk in the bowl.
• Adopt the 6 Percent Solution: Most Americans lean on sugar for 25 percent of their calories. This sugar overload has a dramatic impact on weight gain, poor mood and lack of energy. When food journaling -- and you need to keep a food diary -- make sure only 6 percent of total calories come from added sugars. That's 30 grams or 7.5 teaspoons of sugar a day on a 2,000 calorie diet. One 12 oz. sugar soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar -- adopt this rule and you're instantly reaching for less processed foods. Somer also promises less sugar craves, major weight loss and lowered stress, among other benefits.
• Eat Real 75 Percent of the Time: Make three out of four of the foods you choose come from a vine, bush or plant. You can still have that processed, frozen burrito, but pair it with wholesome foods like fresh fruits, vegetables and hot tea instead of a peppermint mocha. The promises? In the short-term, happiness, less cravings and clearer thinking is coming your way. Follow this rule for a year and lose serious pounds, look five to 10 years younger and lower your risk for all sorts of age-related diseases.

Many of us have already heard many of the diet secrets outlined in Somer's book. However, the real gift of Eat Your Way to Happiness is in its simplicity. It doesn't involve exotic terms, recipes or rigid food plans. Rather, you'll likely be inspired to start adding more of the right foods for an immediate impact on your energy, thinking and mood. Remember, skinny jeans aren't fun unless you're happy inside them.