21-Day Tummy

By Liz Vaccariello

Readers Digest  2013

302 pages     Nonfiction

The Shortlist

Liz Vaccariello is the editor of the Reader's Digest books and the author of the Digest Diet which I looked over last year and wrote a blog piece about. 21-Day Tummy follows a similar format. It is big, attractive, and has a lot of good ideas and recipes. Its goal is to attack some specific dietary problems that cause people lots of problems.

The book is designed to diet away digestive disasters such as gas and bloating, heartburn and acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. Yes, you can take medicine for all of those things, but Vaccariello suggests that many of these issues can be solved by diet. She names several belly buddies which will aid in losing weight but also in solving gastrointestinal problems. They include fiber, magnesium, and anti-inflammatory fats.  The system includes:

·         high-fiber and antioxidant-rich vegetables

·         balanced-fructose fruits

·         Low-FODMAP, high-fiber grains

·         Nuts and nut butters

·         Seeds

·         Healthy fats

·         Lean protein

·         Greek yogurt

·         Coconut milk

·         ginger

·         turmeric

·         maple syrup. 

After defining all of these things, Vaccariello and dietitian Kate Scarlata promote a 21-day eating plan which will help those who follow the plan lose weight and solve digestive problems. 21-Day Tummy is simple to understand and the dietary advice appears to be easy to follow. The recipes are appealing. Publisher's Weekly says, "With lively writing, inviting four-color format, pull-outs, sidebars, nine personal success stories (including the author’s), and enticing photography, this book is a winner."

Give it a try. See if it helps.

Here is promotional material from Reader's Digest: http://www.rd.com/health/diet-weight-loss/21-day-tummy-how-to-shrink-your-stomach/2/

The brief review in Publisher's Weekly:  http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-62145-111-2