Wheat-Free, Worry-Free

The Book Club selection on the Autism Spectrum Disorders site for March, 2006 will be Wheat-Free, Worry-Free by Danna Korn.

This is a paperback book in three parts, comprised of 17 chapters, 11 tables and 3 figures. Part I - Is This Diet for You? covers celiac disease, associated conditions, behavior, talking to your doctor and unconventional approaches.

Part II - Weaning from Wheat and Bootin' Gluten: How, What, and Where to Eat. These chapters go into ingredients that are safe and forbidden, everything you need to know about grains, shopping and preparing your kitchen, meal planning and cooking, recipes and restaurant and travel tips.

Part III - Wheat-Free Isn't Always Worry-Free: Dealing with the Emotions Behind the Diet. The chapters cover the ups and downs of the diet, lessons in lifestyle, talking to others about the diet and kid conundrums.

Tech Talk - Medical, Nutritional, and Scientific Details. Read up on the nutritional requirements, the carbohydrate exchange information, blood tests and research updates.

There is a research directory, advisory sectin, index, end notes and about the author. There is a list of conditions that carry a higher risk of Celiac disease, table on calcium recommendations, normal antibody levels and the food pyramid guide.

There is a section on soy, dietary intervention, top ten reasons your Doctor won't test you for celiac disease, alternatives to cow's milk, checklists and tips on maintaining a gluten-free diet, eczema and genetics are also covered.

If you share a kitchen with others there are ideas to help you co-exist in the kitchen, sample menu ideas for all meals, side dishes and snacks included. Wheat-Free, Worry-Free also discusses toaster ovens, breadmakers, restaurant cards, depression, potlucks and enzymes.

Anything possibly related to starting the gluten-free diet is listed within the 393 pages of Wheat-Free, Worry-Free. I like how it covers the emotional aspect, as well as cooking in the kitchen and the recipes.