THE GIRL’S GUIDE TO GUTS by Chloe Melas & Judy Batalion
Nonfiction, Self-help, Medical
5*****
Blurb: GAS, INDIGESTION, BLOATING, CONSTIPATION, DIARRHEA, PAIN…
60% of women suffer from chronic GI issues. But few people talk about our culture’s final the bowels. A must-have book for anyone who’s ever struggled with their gut health, with information you need to get from two women who’ve been through it all. Your doctor gives you medical advice. Your nutritionist suggests dietary changes. But who actually knows what you’re going through? Your girlfriends, of course—at least, the ones who’ve been through it all with gut health issues. In The Girlfriend’s Guide to Guts, NBC correspondent Chloe Melas and New York Times bestselling author Judy Batalion, two women with ulcerative colitis, talk to you in the way only a best friend can. Speaking to millions of their fellow sufferers, they share life stories, wisdom, and all the necessary, scientifically-backed information you need when facing a bowel disease diagnosis. Chloe and Judy share tips and tricks on how to live your best life with bowel disease, such as… “Dinner and a movie?” No! “A movie then dinner.” Eating can make you gassy and bloated, so it’s best to eat after other activities (and/or intimacies).
Protein rich meals, no nuts! Order grilled chicken or fish when eating out, especially during flares. The simpler the dish, the less likely it is that you’ll need to run for the nearest bathroom.
Aisle seats only! On a flight, there should be nothing between you and the toilet! (Except for 15 rows, a line of people waiting, and turbulence.)
Brush off the judgement. Your disease is not your fault. You’ve got gut health issues, but girl, you’ve also got guts.
And more!
From advice on probiotics to acupuncture to colonoscopies, healing your gut can be downright confusing! For practical tips—woman to woman—or just a reassuring voice to turn to when times get tough, this straight-talking guide will show you what to really expect when your bowels are going berserk.
THOUGHTS: As a person who struggles with GI issues, I found this book interesting and full of information that I can use. Up front, the authors admit that they are not doctors –though they did consult with medical professionals. “Colorectal cancer is the #1 cause of death in people under the age of 50.”Their advice comes from personal experience. In this particular book, they focus on IBS, BD, Celic, and diverticulitis.
I loved the humor in this book – something not usually seen in a “medical information” book. It helps turn a difficult, and usually taboo, subject into one that’s readable and understandable by anyone.
Recommended.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and Dial Press for providing this ARC.
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