Essential Diet for Diverticulitis: A 3-Stage Nutrition Guide to Manage and Prevent Flare-Ups

by Karyn Sunohara

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Essential Diet for Diverticulitis is a well curated collection of recipes to help manage and control diverticulitis and soothe flare-ups. Released 16th June 2020 by Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 160 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

The book has a logical and easy to follow format. The first three chapters cover the background of ingredient selection, what diverticulitis is, what the diet entails and some general quick-start weekly meal plans. The author also includes some logical pointers, ingredients, and supplies. The recipe chapters are arranged thematically: fluids, low residue recipes (less stress on the gastro-intestinal tract), and high fiber recipes to provide bulk and help peristalsis and help prevent acute flare-ups. Nutritional information is included in the footer at the end of the recipes and includes calories, fat, sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, and micronutrients.

The recipes have their ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. Measurements are given in US standard only. Special tools and ingredients are also listed, along with yields and cooking directions. Most of the ingredients are easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store. The book also includes a short author bio, but lacks a metric conversion chart, index or ageneral ingredients index. The author has also included a comprehensive bibliography and resource list. The recipes themselves are varied, and represent a number of world cuisines. They're tasty and easily prepared.

My main quibble with the book is that the recipes are mostly not photographed. There are a few photos, and they're clear and attractive, but they only represent about 5% of the recipes included in the book. It is, however, a very well written book for a niche (and previously often ignored) group.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.