BOOK REVIEWS

by Marilyn Helton

Welcome to the holiday countdown! My desk and office show their impending arrival--though the calendar tells me it's still only August! We have a very diverse selection of books to share with you in this issue, beginning with the "Diabetes Problem Solver," by Nancy Touchette, PhD., published by the American Diabetes Association.

The "Diabetes Problem Solver" is the quintessential reference book for detecting early signs of diabetic medical conditions, and a comprehensive reference guide for all aspects of diabetes and its complications. I have referred to this terrific guide on several occasions this summer, and found answers to every one of my questions, in clear, concise, easy-to-read language. Flowcharts are included, to help you determine if your symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Not only does the "Diabetes Problem Solver" contain excellent information for the physical complications of diabetes, it is also a valuable resource for the psychological conditions that can follow it. Adjusting to diabetes, dealing with stress, depression, anxiety, alcohol abuse and eating disorders, discrimination in the workplace, schools, day care and the military, managing your daily routine, traveling with diabetes, coping factors for children, and sexual dysfunction are discussed. There's also an excellent chapter on helping to solve kids' problems.

The "Diabetes Problem Solver" is hands-down one of the best reference books I have seen in print. Highly recommended. The "Diabetes Problem Solver," $19.95, ISBN 1-58040-009-4, available through the American Diabetes Association: 1-800-232-6733 or through book stores nationwide.

Before my diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, my biggest passion was cooking. Most of the diabetic cookbooks available at that time presented dull and tasteless recipes. You can imagine my elation when the ADA revised the nutritional guidelines for diabetics in 1994, following the 10-year DCCT (Diabetes Control and Complications Trial) results. These guidelines for nutrition management now allow sugar as part of a healthful eating plan, and this new change is explained in the Introduction of the next book.

The "New Family Cookbook for People With Diabetes," prepared jointly by the American Diabetes Association and The American Dietetic Association, offers more than 375 recipes for easy-to-prepare delicious meals that the whole family can enjoy. The recipes use lower-fat ingredients wherever possible, unsaturated fats whenever possible, and most recipes use sugar instead of sugar substitutes. They provide a choice of fresh or dried herbs, and each has a nutrient analysis including the portion size, dietary exchanges, and sodium content in bold type whenever the serving size has more than 400mg of sodium per serving.

Being passionate about cooking, I enjoy the description of each recipe, found just under the title. For example, you can really get a "mouth-feel" for "Chicken In Mole Sauce" with this description: "Mole is a deep, dark sauce that's a Mexican specialty. Its unique flavor and reddish brown color results from blending onions, garlic, and chilies with--surprise--a small amount of cocoa powder or chocolate, which adds richness without sweetness."

In addition to the mouth-watering recipes, there are good hints and tips at the beginning of each food section, and an extensive Exchange Lists for Meal Planning Appendix. This is another winner; highly recommended. The "New Family Cookbook for People With Diabetes," by the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association, published by Simon & Schuster, 1999, ISBN: 0-684-82660-7, $30.

Last year, we at "Cinnamon Hearts" appealed to 150 food editors across the nation to remember the diabetic in their holiday recipe sections. There are significant numbers of diabetics among groups such as: Jewish Americans, Mexican Americans and Latinos, African Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

I'm pleased to let you know that the Jewish diabetic with a Kosher palate can now feel confident in consuming very healthy and delicious recipes from "MealLeaniYumm! (All That's Missing Is The Fat)", a new book by cookbook author Norene Gilletz, one of Canada's national treasures.

Norene Gilletz is the leading author of Kosher-style cookbooks in Canada and "MealLeaniYumm!" shows you why. With over 800 recipes for all Jewish holidays as well as the rest of the year, holiday table and menu suggestions, shopping hints and pantry suggestions, culinary and dietary tips and facts, the book is very comprehensive. Each recipe has a complete nutritional analysis, including carbohydrate counts, and diabetics can feel confident in using them.

Norene is another cookbook author who knows the value of adding information regarding the recipe's history and availability of ingredients, in personal anecdotes under the recipe title. Her motto is "Food that's good for you should taste good!" She also offers variations to the recipes, whenever possible.

"MealLeaniYumm! (All That's Missing Is The Fat)," by Norene Gilletz, $33.95, 1998, ISBN 0-9697972-2-2, is just beginning to be available in the U.S. It can be found online at barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com. You can also order directly toll-free at 1-888-811-9866. Another highly recommended cookbook!

I wish you all the joy of the season, and we'll see you in January, with all the new dieting and weight management reviews!

NOTE: Marilyn Helton is the editor of "Cinnamon Hearts~The Art of Living A Winning Diabetic Lifestyle," a positive-power newsletter for diabetics and their families. Subscriptions to "Cinnamon Hearts" newsletter are available for $18/year (USA); $20 (Canada); from Cinnamon Hearts DLE, PO Box 578340, Modesto, CA 95357-8340.