The books and cookbooks featured in the selection that follows were chosen with great care as to the value of the content and the reputation of the authors in the field of either weight management, metabolism or nutrition. However, self-diagnosis and self-treatment may sometimes be very ill advised. Make sure you discuss with your Doctor or Dietitian regarding your treatment or weight loss diet. Users of a good, reliable recipe or cooking software program with nutritional analysis features will benefit greatly from those talks. Your very own computer may be a most powerful tool to assist you in planning your diet.
hM strongly recommends using the information and healthy recipes provided on this website under the professional supervision of your doctor or registered dietitian . Whether you are seeking to improve your general health, reverse heart disease, control diabetes or your weight, always assume that getting professional advice from your MD or RD is best.
The hm Journals BookStore
As a supplement to the articles in the hM Weight Monitor or the hM Nutrition Journal, here are a few examples from a selection of
informational BOOKS, COOKBOOKS and RECIPE SOFTWARE CDs to assist in losing weight and maintaining an ideal, healthy weight.
informational BOOKS, COOKBOOKS and RECIPE SOFTWARE CDs to assist in losing weight and maintaining an ideal, healthy weight.
Losing Weight for Good: Developing Your Personal Plan of Action, By Lawrence J. Cheskin MD
This book has a very personalized approach. While reading it, one may sometimes get the vague impression that one is being interviewed... or almost. Dr. Cheskin assumes that people may have different sets of reasons for having excess weight. So, his answer is that success lies in developing a personalized weight loss and management plan, tailored to suit your needs. Dr Cheskin believes that you do not have to change everything about your lifestyle, only those things that need to be changed. Reading through this book will force you to question yourself. As you read on, you are asked, in succession, to: do some self-assessment, to question yourself and list what you normally eat. Finally, to complete the process, the reader is guided in the development of his/her own personal weight loss diet and management plan.
It is heartMonitron's opinion that any person who is seriously committed to achieve his/her weight loss goals has every chance of success
with this very personal approach. This is why we are putting it at the top of our list. The author, Dr Lawrence J. Cheskin, is the director of the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center. In his years of practice he has acquired unique expertise.
His book starts with providing the reader with good health-related reasons to lose weight; this is followed by how to personalize your weight loss plan. He suggests ways to set attainable goals and devise an appealing weight loss diet. Later he discusses a program for increasing physical activity.
Finally, he provides some tools in the form of very helpful pyramid food tables and menu patterns. This is no lazy man's (woman's) reading. hM would recommend reading it twice. The contents of the book are not just "before and after" claims. The facts backed by serious results.
It is heartMonitron's opinion that any person who is seriously committed to achieve his/her weight loss goals has every chance of success
with this very personal approach. This is why we are putting it at the top of our list. The author, Dr Lawrence J. Cheskin, is the director of the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center. In his years of practice he has acquired unique expertise.
His book starts with providing the reader with good health-related reasons to lose weight; this is followed by how to personalize your weight loss plan. He suggests ways to set attainable goals and devise an appealing weight loss diet. Later he discusses a program for increasing physical activity.
Finally, he provides some tools in the form of very helpful pyramid food tables and menu patterns. This is no lazy man's (woman's) reading. hM would recommend reading it twice. The contents of the book are not just "before and after" claims. The facts backed by serious results.
Category: Trustworthy Information Books on Losing weight, Control and Maintenance, and Healthy Weight-Related Diet.
The Sonoma Diet Cookbook, By Connie Guttersen, RD, PhD
This is a complement or companion to the Sonoma Diet book.
The weight loss and maintenance diet is based largely on the intake of lean protein, low-density carbohydrate and a small amount of high-quality fats. The feedback from reviewers and habitual users can be summed up as follows:
The author is a registered dietitian and a PhD. Her diet stresses the intake of a wide variety of foods, which makes this diet very healthy. She has gone out of her way to ensure that her recipes are tasty and delicious. The cover even claims this diet to be the most flavourful weight loss plan under the sun. This feature makes a diet easy to adhere to.
The weight loss and maintenance diet is based largely on the intake of lean protein, low-density carbohydrate and a small amount of high-quality fats. The feedback from reviewers and habitual users can be summed up as follows:
- Those who now use it daily report that they have lost weight,
- The recipes are so good and tasty that one does not miss the gravy or butter,
- The recipes are easy to make and use ingredients that can be found in all supermarkets,
- You hardly feel that you are dieting in order to lose weight; you do not feel deprived,
- Not only are the recipes tasty, but they also serve 4 to 6 people. So, portions can be put in
The author is a registered dietitian and a PhD. Her diet stresses the intake of a wide variety of foods, which makes this diet very healthy. She has gone out of her way to ensure that her recipes are tasty and delicious. The cover even claims this diet to be the most flavourful weight loss plan under the sun. This feature makes a diet easy to adhere to.
Category: Reliable Recipe Books from trustworthy sources, designed to lose weight or control and maintain a healthy and ideal weight SAFELY
Nutrition And Weight Control 2007: Johns Hopkins White Papers (Johns Hopkins White Papers)
By Lora Brown Wilder; Sc.D.; M.S.; R.D.; Lawrence J. Cheskin; M.D.
By Lora Brown Wilder; Sc.D.; M.S.; R.D.; Lawrence J. Cheskin; M.D.
This paper has only 88 pages, so the people at Johns Hopkins did not call it a book, but a paper. However, despite the fact that it seems light in one's hand, when it comes to content and relevancy, it actually weighs a ton. This is very compressed information and all of it is very much "to the point". If you were to use a HighLighter pen to mark what is important or is of consequence in this paper, about three quarters of it would turn yellow.
The paper is based on conclusions derived from the latest research and epidemiological studies on nutrition with respect to weight loss and weight control.
It starts with a condensed introduction to the basics of nutrition. It covers all weight loss related subjects, such as dietary fats, fiber and antioxydants. It explains macro and micronutrients, calories and other important topics.
Later, the paper provides explanations regarding the factors that affect body weight. The last part discusses the means to lose weight or maintain it a healthy one.
In this paper, the authors succinctly describe in one paragraph what most writers would cover in four pages. This makes the white paper ideal for those readers who have very little time available but insist on having only the very best of information as to nutrition and as to how they can lose weight in a safe and healthy way.
The paper is based on conclusions derived from the latest research and epidemiological studies on nutrition with respect to weight loss and weight control.
It starts with a condensed introduction to the basics of nutrition. It covers all weight loss related subjects, such as dietary fats, fiber and antioxydants. It explains macro and micronutrients, calories and other important topics.
Later, the paper provides explanations regarding the factors that affect body weight. The last part discusses the means to lose weight or maintain it a healthy one.
In this paper, the authors succinctly describe in one paragraph what most writers would cover in four pages. This makes the white paper ideal for those readers who have very little time available but insist on having only the very best of information as to nutrition and as to how they can lose weight in a safe and healthy way.
Betty Crocker Win at Weight Loss Cookbook : A Healthy Guide for the Whole Family (Betty Crocker Books),
By Betty Crocker Editors
By Betty Crocker Editors
The people at Betty Crocker have teamed up with Dr. James Hill MD and a nutritionist to produce the weight loss dedicated recipes in this cookbook. The book is based on recipes that contain, on average, 20% less calories than their corresponding ordinary versions. But those recipes are still designed to fill you up and keep you satisfied.
The N% less calories principle is easy to manage and one of the most effective, especially for people using a recipe of cooking software program. Determine the percentage of calories that you wish to subtract from your daily intake at this particular time in your life and then transfer the recipes in your software for nutritional analysis and adjustments. The Betty Crocker cookbooks are particularly suitable for this kind of exercise. This applies to either the popular MasterCook or the high-end Cook'n software program.
The weight loss diet recipes found in the book are made with ingredients that are easy to find. Those recipes are not complicated and are easy to make. Once you have identified and taken note of the techniques they use to make these recipes to be low-calorie and low-fat, you will be well on your way to losing those extra pounds and keep them from coming back.
To assist you in identifying those nutrients you should use less and those nutrients you should have more often, a short section is dedicated to nutrition basics. Nutrition facts are provided with every recipe found in this weight control cookbook.
The N% less calories principle is easy to manage and one of the most effective, especially for people using a recipe of cooking software program. Determine the percentage of calories that you wish to subtract from your daily intake at this particular time in your life and then transfer the recipes in your software for nutritional analysis and adjustments. The Betty Crocker cookbooks are particularly suitable for this kind of exercise. This applies to either the popular MasterCook or the high-end Cook'n software program.
The weight loss diet recipes found in the book are made with ingredients that are easy to find. Those recipes are not complicated and are easy to make. Once you have identified and taken note of the techniques they use to make these recipes to be low-calorie and low-fat, you will be well on your way to losing those extra pounds and keep them from coming back.
To assist you in identifying those nutrients you should use less and those nutrients you should have more often, a short section is dedicated to nutrition basics. Nutrition facts are provided with every recipe found in this weight control cookbook.
The South Beach Diet: The Delicious, Doctor-Designed, Foolproof Plan for Fast and Healthy Weight Loss (The South Beach Diet)
By Dr. Arthur Agatston MD
By Dr. Arthur Agatston MD
This weight loss book is ideal for people who have tried countless fad diets, only to have the extra pounds coming back right away. Fad diets claim to perform instant miracles. Generally they provide lousy nutrition and cannot be sustained by any scientific or medical evidence, since they are based on total nutritional non-sense. Having only a glass of grapefruit three times a day, for instance, will certainly make you lose a number of pounds, but you would be endangering your health on account of extreme deprivation.
The South Beach Diet was designed for making sure that you get all your protein, vitamins, minerals and all the nutrients you need to keep you healthy. It is also meant to work even when the weight control problem is a tough and a long-standing one.
Dr. Agatston describes his diet as being neither low-fat nor low-carb but rather as being based on right-carbs and right-fats. The weight control plan is divided in three distinct phases:
Phase 1 - The most restrictive phase, it typically lasts two weeks and is designed to enable you to lose weight.
Phase 2- A few previously forbidden nutrients are being allowed back.
Phase 3- The least restrictive, is designed to help you maintain the healthy or ideal weight you have now achieved. In this phase, you can eat pretty much anything you desire... but some carbs are still an absolute No-No. This phase was designed for you to stay on for the rest of your life.
The South Beach Diet was designed for making sure that you get all your protein, vitamins, minerals and all the nutrients you need to keep you healthy. It is also meant to work even when the weight control problem is a tough and a long-standing one.
Dr. Agatston describes his diet as being neither low-fat nor low-carb but rather as being based on right-carbs and right-fats. The weight control plan is divided in three distinct phases:
Phase 1 - The most restrictive phase, it typically lasts two weeks and is designed to enable you to lose weight.
Phase 2- A few previously forbidden nutrients are being allowed back.
Phase 3- The least restrictive, is designed to help you maintain the healthy or ideal weight you have now achieved. In this phase, you can eat pretty much anything you desire... but some carbs are still an absolute No-No. This phase was designed for you to stay on for the rest of your life.
The Spectrum: A Scientifically Proven Program to Feel Better, Live Longer, Lose Weight, and Gain Health
By Dr. Dean Ornish MD
By Dr. Dean Ornish MD
Dr Ornish has become famous (very famous) for his work regarding the reversal of coronary heart disease.
The nutritional regimen he advocates is in sharp contrast to our present "Krispy Mac' Donuts and Greasy PizzaSubs" ways of eating. Coronary heart disease reversal was not an easy task; it requires a very special and most efficient diet.
The Ornish diet is very low in calories derived from fat intake, it is also, basically, a vegetarian diet. On this type of diet, it would be very difficult to gain any weight at all. ( A world-renowned nutritionist, L Lambert-Lagace, once wrote that an obese vegetarian is very, very hard to find) If you happen to have extra pounds, chances are that you may not be able to retain them on this type of diet. Not only would do you stand a 90 to 95% chance of becoming a lot slimmer, but your cardiovascular health would be greatly improved, not to mention that you may end up living longer.
hM strongly recommends this additional reading to patients with both a heart condition and a nasty weight problem.
This Dean Ornish book will also mention lifestyle changes. Some will find it drastic. However saying goodbye to this large bag of potato chips and ignoring the couch to go for a short walk instead may turn out to be very good ideas.
The nutritional regimen he advocates is in sharp contrast to our present "Krispy Mac' Donuts and Greasy PizzaSubs" ways of eating. Coronary heart disease reversal was not an easy task; it requires a very special and most efficient diet.
The Ornish diet is very low in calories derived from fat intake, it is also, basically, a vegetarian diet. On this type of diet, it would be very difficult to gain any weight at all. ( A world-renowned nutritionist, L Lambert-Lagace, once wrote that an obese vegetarian is very, very hard to find) If you happen to have extra pounds, chances are that you may not be able to retain them on this type of diet. Not only would do you stand a 90 to 95% chance of becoming a lot slimmer, but your cardiovascular health would be greatly improved, not to mention that you may end up living longer.
hM strongly recommends this additional reading to patients with both a heart condition and a nasty weight problem.
This Dean Ornish book will also mention lifestyle changes. Some will find it drastic. However saying goodbye to this large bag of potato chips and ignoring the couch to go for a short walk instead may turn out to be very good ideas.
The South Beach Diet Cookbook (The South Beach Diet), By Dr. Arthur Agatston MD
The cookbook exemplifies the kind of recipes that are suitable for following the South Beach Diet. As explained above, this weight loss and control plan is divided in three phases and is based on a restricted carbohydrate intake. Only the ones that Dr. Agatston calls the "right carbs" are allowed. The phases start with the loss of weight and end with weight maintenance, once you have reached your desired target
In the first part of the cookbook, the South Beach Diet is explained. The cookbook contains 200 recipes from which one learns to use a small amount of "good" carbs or whole grains. The recipes cover all types of dishes: from breakfast to soups, salads, meats and desserts. Planned snacks are allowed, which may come in handy for some type 2 diabetics wanting to ward off episodes of hypoglycemia. The third phase of the plan is meant to be adopted for life.
hM would recommend this book to those who have previously experienced difficulty in keeping their weight under control. Granted, following this diet plan will initially require a bit of an effort at first, but the end results are well worth the effort.
Note: some users seem to report that the recipes are somewhat fancy or complicated. Others claim that some ingredients may be too exotic for them or hard to find. On the other hand, there are all those users who are happy to have lost the extra pounds and who claim this the only weight loss or control diet they will ever follow from now on. hM will admit that following the SB Diet is initially somewhat harder than swallowing a supposedly "miraculous weight loss pill" that does not work at all... from any of those far too numerous fly-by-nite snake oil peddlers. However, the numbers point to a clear victory: Snake oil peddler = 0 , SB Diet = 20. Stick with Dr Agatston's well-documented and proven track record, even if some effort on your part is required.
In the first part of the cookbook, the South Beach Diet is explained. The cookbook contains 200 recipes from which one learns to use a small amount of "good" carbs or whole grains. The recipes cover all types of dishes: from breakfast to soups, salads, meats and desserts. Planned snacks are allowed, which may come in handy for some type 2 diabetics wanting to ward off episodes of hypoglycemia. The third phase of the plan is meant to be adopted for life.
hM would recommend this book to those who have previously experienced difficulty in keeping their weight under control. Granted, following this diet plan will initially require a bit of an effort at first, but the end results are well worth the effort.
Note: some users seem to report that the recipes are somewhat fancy or complicated. Others claim that some ingredients may be too exotic for them or hard to find. On the other hand, there are all those users who are happy to have lost the extra pounds and who claim this the only weight loss or control diet they will ever follow from now on. hM will admit that following the SB Diet is initially somewhat harder than swallowing a supposedly "miraculous weight loss pill" that does not work at all... from any of those far too numerous fly-by-nite snake oil peddlers. However, the numbers point to a clear victory: Snake oil peddler = 0 , SB Diet = 20. Stick with Dr Agatston's well-documented and proven track record, even if some effort on your part is required.
Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook, By Weight Watchers
As a rule, hM never mentions any weight loss companies that are in the weight control business for profit. The Weight Watchers Inc. shall be the exception to the rule. The reasons: their books are reasonably priced and we find that the contents of their cookbooks are of the highest quality.
The Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook contains 500 recipes. One source claims that it was originally designed as part of the Weight Watchers 1-2-3 Success Program. All the recipes come with a rather complete nutrition facts table. The book also has features such as suggestions for substitutions, tips and ideas for leftovers. 60 photos are included.
The methods they suggest to decrease the fat content of stocks and sauces, for instance, is quite impressive. As an example, to make basic beef stock: you are invited to place the stock in a bowl and let the stock stand in the fridge until the fat comes to the surface and hardens on account of the colder temperature. Then you are asked to scrape off and discard those solid chunks. You just got rid of the fat and made your broth fat-free. hM also likes their brown sauce, which has ZERO saturated fat. The only fat content is from two small teaspoons of olive oil.
For hM members using either the Cook'n recipe software or the MasterCook program this cookbook is truly worthy of becoming part of your weight loss and control library.
The Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook contains 500 recipes. One source claims that it was originally designed as part of the Weight Watchers 1-2-3 Success Program. All the recipes come with a rather complete nutrition facts table. The book also has features such as suggestions for substitutions, tips and ideas for leftovers. 60 photos are included.
The methods they suggest to decrease the fat content of stocks and sauces, for instance, is quite impressive. As an example, to make basic beef stock: you are invited to place the stock in a bowl and let the stock stand in the fridge until the fat comes to the surface and hardens on account of the colder temperature. Then you are asked to scrape off and discard those solid chunks. You just got rid of the fat and made your broth fat-free. hM also likes their brown sauce, which has ZERO saturated fat. The only fat content is from two small teaspoons of olive oil.
For hM members using either the Cook'n recipe software or the MasterCook program this cookbook is truly worthy of becoming part of your weight loss and control library.
Weight Watchers Simply the Best All American: Our 250 Regional Favorites from Around the Country (Weight Watchers), By Weight Watchers
As we did for the previously reviewed Weight Watchers cookbook, let us mention that as a rule, hM never mentions any weight loss companies that are in the weight control business for profit. The Weight Watchers Inc. shall be the exception. The reasons: their books are reasonably priced and we find the contents of their cookbooks to be of the highest quality.
The Weight Watchers "Simply the Best All American" is a weight loss and control recipe book that will reassure those who think that going on diet means eating bizarre and funny "stuff". However, by All American, one should not think of either Hot-Dogs or instant powdered soups that come in a pouch. These are fats, salt and chemicals; they are simply not to be regarded as food! By All American they meant dishes such as "Vermont Cheddar Soup", "Kentucky Burgoo", "New England Clam Chowder" and a plethora of indigenous recipes from Louisiana, thru the western states and all the way to Alaska. Some of those recipes may remind you of your grand mother's cooking.
The recipes are divided according to geographical regions, so some people have complained that they could not find them easily... !!!
For hM members, using either the Cook'n recipe software or the MasterCook program, this cookbook is truly worthy of becoming part of your weight loss and control library. Especially if you want your meals to slightly resemble the tasty ones your GRANNY used to cook.
The Weight Watchers "Simply the Best All American" is a weight loss and control recipe book that will reassure those who think that going on diet means eating bizarre and funny "stuff". However, by All American, one should not think of either Hot-Dogs or instant powdered soups that come in a pouch. These are fats, salt and chemicals; they are simply not to be regarded as food! By All American they meant dishes such as "Vermont Cheddar Soup", "Kentucky Burgoo", "New England Clam Chowder" and a plethora of indigenous recipes from Louisiana, thru the western states and all the way to Alaska. Some of those recipes may remind you of your grand mother's cooking.
The recipes are divided according to geographical regions, so some people have complained that they could not find them easily... !!!
For hM members, using either the Cook'n recipe software or the MasterCook program, this cookbook is truly worthy of becoming part of your weight loss and control library. Especially if you want your meals to slightly resemble the tasty ones your GRANNY used to cook.
Low Carb Software from Cook'n , Eating Low Carb Just got a Whole Lot Easier!
This is a complement disc; the main Cook'n recipe or cooking software program must be installed on your computer before you can use this complement.
Cook'n Low-Carb contains a total of 1,500 recipes. A handy example of a weekly menu plan is also included. The menu was composed in such a way that the total daily carbohydrate intake is between 20 and 30 grams.
Because the main Cook'n platform allows you to analyse any recipe for carbohydrate content, and other nutrients, you can actually modify any recipe to match your requirements. You can also design daily, weekly or monthly meal plans and analyse them as well. You can save your weight loss meal plan or menu on hard disc or print it.
Furthermore, and most importantly, all the recipes from the weight Watchers' "New Complete Cookbook" or from The Weight Watchers' "Simply the Best All American" can be imported or entered in your software base as additions. Those weight control recipes would then become part of a larger library of recipe books that you can use to plan a long-term healthy and nutritious diet.
The nutritional analysis capability of the software and its planning features are indeed well suited to match the requirements of building a healthy diet. Remember that is always preferable to do this under the professional supervision of your doctor or dietitian. Resorting to such tools will allow you to custom-tailor your diet very precisely.
Cook'n Low-Carb contains a total of 1,500 recipes. A handy example of a weekly menu plan is also included. The menu was composed in such a way that the total daily carbohydrate intake is between 20 and 30 grams.
Because the main Cook'n platform allows you to analyse any recipe for carbohydrate content, and other nutrients, you can actually modify any recipe to match your requirements. You can also design daily, weekly or monthly meal plans and analyse them as well. You can save your weight loss meal plan or menu on hard disc or print it.
Furthermore, and most importantly, all the recipes from the weight Watchers' "New Complete Cookbook" or from The Weight Watchers' "Simply the Best All American" can be imported or entered in your software base as additions. Those weight control recipes would then become part of a larger library of recipe books that you can use to plan a long-term healthy and nutritious diet.
The nutritional analysis capability of the software and its planning features are indeed well suited to match the requirements of building a healthy diet. Remember that is always preferable to do this under the professional supervision of your doctor or dietitian. Resorting to such tools will allow you to custom-tailor your diet very precisely.
Category: Software Program Complement, for Computer Assisted Meal or Menu Planning and Nutritional Analysis Purposes.
The examples above represent only a small fraction of the selected books and cookbooks. A web page cannot hold the selection available at http://astore.amazon.com/heartmonitr02-20 You can browse the whole bookstore by clicking on the bar below.
MasterCook Low-Carb, Software Complement by ValuSoft
This disc is a complement to the MasterCook software program. The main MasterCook program must be installed on your computer prior to using the complement.
This disc contains 1,300 recipes that provide a low-carbohydrate intake.
Additional recipes, such as your family favorite, can be entered into the recipe base, which divided in cookbooks.
The user's interface of the software provides you with an icon that you click on to obtain the complete nutritional analysis
of any recipe.
You can print the recipe and its nutrition facts. You can also print your meal or menu plans. ( These features are from the main MasterCook software program)
The Weight Watchers' recipes can, of course be entered and become part of your dietary strategy to lose weight or maintain an ideal healthy weight.
The main advantage of using computer-assisted meal planning and nutritional analysis is that you know very precisely what you are doing at all times. You can also control the nutrition aspect of your diet perfectly. (Professional supervision by your MD or RD is recommended)
This disc contains 1,300 recipes that provide a low-carbohydrate intake.
Additional recipes, such as your family favorite, can be entered into the recipe base, which divided in cookbooks.
The user's interface of the software provides you with an icon that you click on to obtain the complete nutritional analysis
of any recipe.
You can print the recipe and its nutrition facts. You can also print your meal or menu plans. ( These features are from the main MasterCook software program)
The Weight Watchers' recipes can, of course be entered and become part of your dietary strategy to lose weight or maintain an ideal healthy weight.
The main advantage of using computer-assisted meal planning and nutritional analysis is that you know very precisely what you are doing at all times. You can also control the nutrition aspect of your diet perfectly. (Professional supervision by your MD or RD is recommended)
Category: Trustworthy Information Books on Losing weight, Control and Maintenance, and Healthy Weight-Related Diet.
Category: Trustworthy Information Books on Losing weight, Control and Maintenance, and Healthy Weight-Related Diet.
Category: Trustworthy Information Books on Losing weight, Control and Maintenance, and Healthy Weight-Related Diet.
Category: Reliable Recipe Books from trustworthy sources, designed to lose weight or control and maintain a healthy and ideal weight SAFELY
Category: Reliable Recipe Books from trustworthy sources, designed to lose weight or control and maintain a healthy and ideal weight SAFELY
Category: Reliable Recipe Books from trustworthy sources, designed to lose weight or control and maintain a healthy and ideal weight SAFELY
Category: Reliable Recipe Books from trustworthy sources, designed to lose weight or control and maintain a healthy and ideal weight SAFELY
Category: Software Program Complement, for Computer Assisted Meal or Menu Planning and Nutritional Analysis Purposes.
A heartMonitron Journal Selection - Published for Educational Purposes, only a Doctor can provide relevant and personalized advice