Ta-da! The cover of my new book, coming out in January 2017, published by The Experiment. I mean, does it get better than a stomach with a goofy grin?!
Hi wonderful readers!
Thank you for your patience while the SmartGirlVeg blog has been on hiatus. We have been super busy here at SmartGirlVeg HQ cooking up some new plant-powered projects that we will begin unveiling this summer. Get ready for some veghead deliciousness and excitement!
Empowering all young people to be happy, healthy eaters has always been at the core of what I do as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and writer. And while I continue to be dedicated to helping young people navigate the world of plant-powered eating, my larger goal is to help all types of teenagers love the food that loves them back—including those with health issues whose symptoms could improve through following specialized diets. That's why I'm so excited to tell you about my new book, A Teen's Guide to Gut Health: The Low-FODMAP Way to Tame IBS, Crohn's, Colitis, And Other Digestive Disorders. It will be published by The Experiment in January 2017.
A whopping fourteen percent of teenagers have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—a disorder that can lead to uncomfortable and embarrassing gastrointestinal symptoms, social isolation, and confusion regarding what to eat. Researchers in Australia have developed an eating plan known as "low FODMAPs" that has helped minimize or even eliminate symptoms for many people with this and other debilitating gut disorders.
As I learned more about low FODMAPs in my nutrition counseling practice and saw it helping my own clients, I realized how crucial it was that someone get this life-changing plan out there to younger readers. Teens are just as likely to have IBS as adults, however, they often don't have full control over what they're eating, or even when they can go to the bathroom during the school day. My hope is that A Teen's Guide to Gut Health: The Low-FODMAPs Way to Tame Crohn's, Colitis, and Other Gut Disorders will help young people who are struggling know they are not alone, get emotional support (and maybe even a laugh) as they go through potentially awkward conversations and testing, and give them dietary tools to help gain some control over their symptoms. The book covers not just the nuts and bolts of gut health and the low FODMAPs plan, but also how to survive when you're eating in a cafeteria, on the bus to a soccer game, or staying over a friend's house. Oh, and I'm extra excited to tell you that while the low FODMAPs plan is not know for being especially vegetarian friendly, this book makes the plan do-able for vegans and vegetarians (I mean, what did you expect?!).
If you or someone you know would benefit from A Teen's Guide to Gut Health, start spreading the word! It will be out in January 2017, but you can pre-order on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Indiebound, and more.
Thank you as always for your support!
Love and veggies,
Rachel