The Sweet Life: Diabetes without Boundaries
by Sam Talbot
Available Everywhere Now!
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About the book
Sam Talbot is a professional chef, restaurateur, surfer, painter, philanthropist, and, since the age of 12,
type 1 diabetic. Yet he has not let the disease stop him from living a rich life packed with energy, adventure, and achievement—culinary and otherwise. In his first, much-anticipated book, he recounts how diabetes has affected but not compromised his life or career, and he shares his own tips—alongside those from other famous diabetics like Halle Berry, Larry King, and Tommy Lee—on how to handle everything from work and hobbies to relationships and travel with discipline and enthusiasm.
To round out this advice, he offers bits of foodie wisdom and 75 innovative recipes for fresh, all-natural dishes anybody, diabetic or not, can prepare and enjoy.
Heartfelt, entertaining, and backed by real-life experience and solid medical expertise, Sam Talbot’s
Guide to the Sweet Life will give readers hope, inspiration, and the proof they need to realize that life
with diabetes isn’t about diabetes: It’s about living.
Would love new ways to fix fruit dishes without pastry and sweetners Looking forward to Sam Talbot’s new recipe book.
Oops, sent you the wrong reply! This is what I meant to say. I like to get some fresh, seasonal fruit and toss it with olive oil, fresh mint, lemon juice and sea salt. It might sound crazy but the mix of sweet, salty and savory is really good. Try it out! -ST
Are the recipes in this book low carb? I have been a T1D for 20 years and follow a low carb diet. Thanks!
Hi Kelley, yes, most of the recipes are low in carbs. Hope you’re able to check out the book! -ST
My sister just called me about the piece airing on CNN this morning. My son Andrew, was diagnosed last year at the age of 13. He loves to cook and would like to own a restaurant some day. I have shared your website on a Facebook page of 200+ moms of children living with Type 1 diabetes. It is inspiring to see what you are doing. Just one question – when I went to the recipes section of your website, the carbs are not listed. Does you cookbook list the carbs for your recipes? thanks Patrice Palmer in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Hi Patrice, thanks for your kind words and for spreading the word. All nutritional information (including carbs) is listed in my book. I apologize we don’t have this information for the recipes on the website. We are hoping to provide that in the future. All recipes that have nutritional information have to be independently tested by a company to obtain the nutritional values. It’s a long process, but we’re looking into it! I hope you check out the book and I hope you like it! -ST
I’m really interested in your book, Sam. I saw the segment on CBS Sunday Morning last week and was so excited to see it, because my sugar numbers have just started to climb and my doctor wants me lose weight and start eating as if I already had diabetes, so that maybe, I can stall the onset of it. The segment seemed to come just at the right time for me.
I went to look for the book at my local B&N the other day and they didn’t have a copy. Is there anywhere on this site or any other where we can read an excerpt of the book or an index of the recipes on there? I’m sure your book is fabulous, but I am on a budget, so I would just like to check it out a little bit more in depth before I buy it. Thanks so much!
Sam, I have type II diabetes, plus, need to stay away from salt, have advanced COPD, high cholesterol. high blood pressure, am over weigh, and very high triglycerides. Looking for recipes that cover all these if possible.
Hi George, you should consult your doctor for specific recommendations based on your health. With that said, many of the recipes featured in my new book are generally healthy. -ST
I have T1 and I bought your cookbook on my B&N Nook, but there’s no indication of serving size or number of servings per recipe, so I have no idea of I’m eating 3 or 7 units worth of carbs, or how big a portion should be. Can you let your publisher know? Kind of defies the point of buying a book with carb counts.
Hi Deborah, please don’t be upset! The serving sizes are in the book! Each recipe has a plate underneath it with a number in it and that is the serving size for each recipe. My apologies if this was not intuitive for you, but I hope it helps. -ST
I just saw you rachel.I have a busy life are the recipes in your book easy and quick . I have type 1 diabetes and need to lose weight and it’s hard for me to find recipes that are quick and easy 4 my busy life.
Hi Tonya, thanks for reaching out! There are definitely some easy and quick recipes in the book. Not every one is, but many are. I highly recommend you check it out as I think you’ll find it to be very beneficial. If you want to purchase it from Amazon, you can buy here! http://amzn.to/GJlFlm
I just saw a rerun of The Rachel Ray show. I am so excited to buy your book now! I am a type 2 diabetic. I recently lost 78 lbs and my blood sugar is under control now. I am very strict on my diet and eating. I also have high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Are the sodiums contents also listed in your book? I made the shrimp dish that you made on the RR show. YUM! I am going out to look for those noodles you made on Nate Burkus’s show- shirataki? I think! Thanks!
Hi Jeanae, I do have sodium contents for the recipes in my book! I hope you give the book a shot and I hope you like it! -ST
Hi Sam,
First off, wanted to say loved you on the nate show when you shared the recipes sure under $10. I am not a diabetic but my father and grandmother are and i been blessed not to have been diagnosed. I try to live a healthy lifestyle, along with my husband as well. But what I really wanted to ask are the recipes in your book something that you would recommend to prepare for my family?
Hi Rashell, thanks! I’m really happy to hear that you’re living healthy with your family. I absolutely think my recipes are friendly for your family. I think your husband and your kids would find the recipes to be flavorful and delicious. I may be biased though.
Hope you check out the book! -ST
Hi Sam
My daughter is 11 and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a 1 1/2 years ago
She use to say she wanted to be a chef and when she was diagnosed I thought she would change her mind but she said no I still want to be a chef and help diabetics. She watches your show and when I saw an article on you she knew who you were but didn’t know you were a diabetic.It’s nice to hear positive stories like yours. We are having a hard time with her coming out of her “honeymoon” period and into puberty at the same time. I’m interested in getting your book and having her make some recipes. Recipes and encouragement is what she needs right-wing now!
Thanks.
Mary Ann
Thanks Mary Ann, I appreciate that. I would advise you to check out my book, as it tells more about my story, but also focuses on flavorful foods and recipes while remaining healthy. I firmly believe you and your daughter will love it! -ST
Sam, my 9-year old T1 son and I love your book! He especially likes the picture of you testing your blood sugar with a total scratched-up One-Touch mini.
I was moved to write when I saw that carb counts have to be vetted by a specialist before you can publish them. I don’t want to be a total harridan, but the carb counts for some of the recipes in the book are totally useless. (For example if a pancake recipe says it makes 6-8 servings, then lists the carbs per serving. But doesn’t say what a serving is. 2 x 4″ pancakes? 1 x 6″ pancake? I added up the carbs in the whole bowl of batter, weighed the batter, then weighed it again with 1/3c batter missing, and…figured it out from there.) But I *know* you must really know the exact amount, because of how well you take care of yourself. For the next book, or for the 2nd edition of this one, I think you should include “The carb count Sam uses at home for these pancakes” and “The official nutrition consultant’s carb counts, useless but included for legal reasons.”
ALSO. We are dying to know: do you REALLY use 1200 test strips IN A MONTH?
Hi Katy, my apologies for the overdue response. I try to check in when I can. The carb counts are correct, and the serving sizes are actually listed in the book. They are next to the recipes inside of the little plates. I also apologize if this wasn’t clear to you! I’m glad to hear you and your son otherwise like the book though. Hopefully this helps you! Also, the test strip comment in the book is a mistake. It’s actually more like 200.
-ST
I bought three of these books last week, one for my parents and two for myself. While I am not Diabetic, I have found this book to be filled with great, healthful eating ideas and the most delicious easy to make recipes. I am obsessed. I have truly enjoyed everything in this book. Thank you!!!
Thanks Marcelle, I appreciate your support and kind words. Have a great weekend! -ST
I m a profesional that works with patient with diabetes in Chile, South America ; and they always complains about the rutinary of their food.
This book is a very good oportunity for them to try new things without the consecuenses of overweighth .
Are you planing in translating it to other language like spanish?
If it is already were can I get one
Thanks
Carla
Hi Carla, I dont’ believe my book is available in Spanish, but you make a good suggestion! While I can’t make any promises, I will speak to my publisher and suggest it. Thanks for writing and suggesting! -ST
hi sam i m ilham n i m one of ur biggest fan n thank u 4 this amazing book
Thanks Ilham! We’ve chatted on facebook, right? You’re very sweet. Thanks for the kind words! -ST
Ordering this book today! My 5 yr old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in May…but hasn’t slowed her down a bit!!! Love to hear of others who rise above hardships and live life to the fullest…and excited to check out the recipes!
Stacey (mom of Dempsey)
Hi Stacey, thanks so much for checking out the book, I hope you like it! Your daughter sounds like an amazing kid. Tell her hello from me. Thanks for writing in and good luck to you bother! -ST
hi sam i am alrghdaa . i am 20 years old . i go to faculty of medicine .
i am from egypt
Hi Alrghdaa, nice to meet you from far away. Please keep up your good work! -ST
I bought the book but don’t see the number of servings listed, per recipe. My husband has been newly diagnosed with Type 2 & is doing great with diet alone (doesn’t need meds) but we have to be very careful with portion size.
Hi Helen, sorry for any confusion. The number of servings is listed in the plate next to each recipe. Then, you can obviously do the math for each recipe to determine the nutritional information. Thank you for buying the book and I hope you and your husband like it! -ST
Hi Sam,
Love the recipes in your book. I sorry if this is a no brainer! I try to keep my carbs at 30-35 per meal. Most of your recipes are well over 30. What do you suggest?
Hi Sandee, thanks for writing in. I have to disagree with you that most of my recipes are well over 30 carbs! It is true, some recipes are over 30 carbs per serving, but I just flipped through the entire book and saw plenty of recipes that were not. If you are looking to keep your carb counts down, you could reduce the size of the portion for the recipes that are higher in carbs. Maybe make another 1 of my recipes that is lower in carbs to go with the recipe that is higher in carbs!
LOVING the book! seriously this is such an honest approach to growing up with diabetes and the first (if not the only) book that makes diabetic recipes gourmet and FABULOUS. Some of the ingredients are hard to get outside of America but its still an amazing book to have.
BONUS: Sam could easily be a model so theres no way to lose focus reading the books haha
Wow, Tabbi, you’ve made my day ! Thanks for the really kind words. I feel very proud right now ! -ST
Hi Sam! I just wanted to let you know that you are my all-time favorite top chef contestant! You are so inspiring!!! I would LOVE to meet you someday
.
Thanks Mariana, that’s very kind. I hope to meet you some day too !
can’t find the vodka recipe you made on CBS Saturday. Where is it?
Hi Kathy, thanks so much for writing in. You can find the recipe here: http://www.samtalbot.com/written-recipes/vodka-with-acai-and-cinnamon/. Hope you like it !