The Cheese Trap

How Breaking a Surprising Addiction Will Help You Lose Weight, Gain Energy, and Get Healthy

By: Neal D Barnard MD MD FACC MD FACC, Marilu Henner - introduction

Narrated by: Joe Knezevich

New York Times bestselling author Dr. Neal Barnard reveals the shocking truth about cheese—the dangerous addiction that is harming your health—and presents a radical program to lose weight and feel great.

We've been told that dairy does a body good, but the truth is that cheese can be hazardous to one's health. Loaded with calories, fat, and cholesterol, cheese can make you gain weight and leads to a host of health problems like high blood pressure and arthritis. Worse, it contains mild opiates that make it additive, triggering the same brain receptors as heroin and morphine.

In The Cheese Trap, Dr. Neal Barnard presents a comprehensive program to help readers break free of their cheese addiction so they can lose weight, boost energy, and improve their overall health. This easy-to-follow diet features a treasury of healthy recipes that will tame even the toughest cravings—from pizza, to lasagna, to ice cream and cheesecake.

Critic reviews

"If you want to know where medicine will be ten years from now, read Dr. Neal Barnard's writings today."—Dean Ornish, MD, New York Times bestselling author of The Spectrum and Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease

"Our love-affair with cheese is killing us. Learning the truth about cheese may save your life."—Joel Fuhrman, MD, New York Times bestselling author of The End of Heart Disease and The End of Diabetes, among others

"The Cheese Trap busts open the myths of cheese as a health food and provides an eye opening, mouth shutting view of the way cheese is produced and does damage."—Joel Kahn MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, and author of The Whole Heart Solution

"Calories, cholesterol, salt and saturated fat-Dr. Barnard analyzes the process and problems of cheese production and consumption in the American population. It's no wonder that coronary artery plaque-the leading cause of death in the United States-resembles cheese in so many ways. "—Kim Allan Williams, Sr., M.D., MACC, FAHA, MASNC, FESC Immediate Past President, American College of Cardiology

"This informative and entertaining book clearly and compellingly lays out the reasons why cheese should not be part of our diet. I highly recommend it!"—Ted D. Barnett, MD, Medical Director and CEO, Rochester Lifestyle Medicine

"Do you love cheese? Think again! Dr. Barnard makes it crystal clear why you'll want to steer clear of cheese as if your life depends on it because, guess what-it does!"—Rip Esselstyn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet

"Dr. Barnard shares the truth about one of America's greatest addictions. A must read for anyone wanting to be empowered to go fully plant-based."—Chad Sarno and Derek Sarno, Chefs, Brothers, and Founders of Wicked Healthy

Informative but mostly just pro vegan vs anti dair

good nuggets but very pro vegan unexpectedly vs just showing the dangers of cheese specifically

Worth the Read

Good information. Will need to listen again to take in all the information. It will not be easy, but will try to eat less cheese. Wish the recipes didn't contain sugar.

My last straw for cheese

I kinda alway knew that cheeses aren't good for my health, being lactose intolerant and all. I had been telling whoever asked that I'm semi-vegan because I can't stay off cheeses. They are very addictive. I'm glad I listen to this book. Now I have a new year resolution to stay off where I can and minimalize cheese intake to improve my health. Now one step further into veganism.

Revealing the truth about what cheese does to us

Would you consider the audio edition of The Cheese Trap to be better than the print version?

Yes, there's is a downloadable PDF of the recipes so that can be printed.

What did you like best about this story?

The audiobook features many stories of people and it helped the reader identify with their situations.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book revealed some things about the dairy industry that I did not know about. The audiobook was insightful and eye-opening.

Any additional comments?

There's an audible.com review out there labeling the audiobook as being vegan propaganda which is an absurd statement and simply not true. Using those words is only going to make people fearful. Perhaps learning how your cheese is made might be scary, but there's nothing scary about the audiobook. Cheese is loved by many which might make this audiobook unpopular to many. But if you want to know what is really going on with cheese and want to learn how to be healthier without it then you have to listen to it!

The audiobook advocates that when someone stops consuming the amount of cheese that is consumed today by average americans, they become much healthier. And when not consuming cheese at all, it reduces your risk of chronic disease and other health issues.

In this audiobook we learn that cheese is addictive and hard to let go. In my experience, removing cheese from your diet is often the final step when switching to a whole foods plant-based diet. And that's why naturally, a vegan diet comes up in this audiobook.

The audiobook presents some anecdotal evidence in the form of real life stories which is necessary to helping readers connect with people going through similar situations as a result their diet. There's enough hard evidence already in the audiobook. But this audiobook is only part of the whole idea. I recommend other books and documentaries on whole foods plant-based nutrition to learn more evidence.

Eye Opening!

Fantastic read. Lots of information. Would suggest to anyone thinking about the pain and illness that may results from eating dairy products. Also addressed the ethical concerns and horrible treatment of animals of the dairy industry. You will think twice before you buy or open your mouth to another dairy product.