Book Review: The Gastroparesis Healing Diet

A few months ago I was curious what else was out there on the topic of "healing gastroparesis." As some of you know, I've been writing for the Healing Gastroparesis Naturally website for some time and working on the book this past year (to be released end of May!). To my surprise, the image for The Gastroparesis Healing Diet came up with its upcoming release date in March. I could not be happier to see we were not alone when it came to using the word healing. Not to mention the cover looked so delicious and inviting! 

I contacted the author Tammy Chang, a nutrition coach and cook living in the San Francisco Bay area. While she does not have GP herself she has knowledge of how the gut functions and experience with creating nourishing meals to help heal the body, having worked one-on-one with clients and wrote her first book, The Nourished Belly Diet. She admitted this was not an easy task, finding GP to be the complicated disorder that many of us know firsthand. But she shared in her book that she "found the GP community, along with it's taking in people's harder days, is also extremely loving, supportive, and strong." Between the medical research plus interviewing and talking with those who live with GP (some of whose stories you will find in the book), she was able to get a good understanding of how to create ideas for a healing diet. 

Upcoming Webinar - Foods for Healing GP

Top 5 Foods for Healing Gastroparesis 

with Chalyce Macoskey

Join us as we explore the top 5 foods that can help you gain back your quality of life when living with gastroparesis and learn what the term healing can mean for you. At the end of the talk, there will be a Q&A session to help answer any questions you may have plus ideas on additional resources.

Health coach and certified aromatherapist Chalyce Macoskey will share an approach she has used with hundreds of clients over the years to overcome some of the most difficult challenges when it comes to digestion. She has helped to change my own life for the better and it is my hope she can do the same for many others living with GP. You can read more about when I was first introduced to Chalyce and her work here. 

We look forward to chatting with you soon! 

When: Date and Time: Wednesday  2/01/2017  11:00 AM - (US/Pacific) Duration: 1 hour Audio: Dial-in Number:   (712) 770-4652 Access Code: 711781 International Dial-in Numbers: View List Online Meeting: Screen Sharing / Video Online Meeting Link: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/journeywithgp Instructions: At the scheduled date and time of the meeting, dial into the conference line. When prompted, enter the Access Code followed by the pound key. To join the online meeting, click on the meeting link listed above and follow the prompts to join the meeting. For 24/7 customer service please call (844) 844-1322

Bieler Broth - Nourishing Green Soup

Looking for a way to incorporate more vegetables in your GP diet?  After a long fall/winter of potatoes, yams, squashes and carrots, this is a refreshing and light soup that digest easily.  It was created by Dr. Henry Bieler, author of Food is Your Best Medicine.  I've adjusted the recipe to include the taste of celery but not the actual blend, as it is often not well tolerated on our stomachs.  Both zucchini and green beens are excellent sources of potassium and sodium.  
When prepared and cooked right these green veggies digest surprisingly well.  Add in some simmered ginger and fresh parsley, both wonderful digestive aids, and you have a nourishing soup. 

Gastroparesis Friendly Breakfast

You've probably heard it from your parents:  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Has this changed for you since your digestive trouble began?

Recently I've started posting a weekly "curious question" on the Journey with GP Facebook page, with thoughts on food choices, symptoms, remedies and so on.  Over the weekend the following question was asked:  "What do you tolerate best in the morning?  Juicing, smoothies, eggs, coffee, yogurt, cereal, etc."  It was nice to see such a variety of answers as well as some support for those who tend to have more nausea this time of day.

Simple Squash Soup

What do I love more than a delicious fall meal?  A simple soup made from those delicious leftovers!  Even with a "broken" stomach, being in the kitchen still brings such pleasures, especially when I know the food is nourishing and good for me, body and soul.  However, there are always days when energy is low or the day is long, when a bowl of warm and comforting soup with minimal effort is calling.  We may eat mini meals but that doesn't mean we have to prepare them that way.  Rule of thumb in the GP kitchen: cook once, eat twice (or multiple times!).

Spice Remedies Part II: Love Affair with Cilantro

Exploring the digestive benefits of spices is a journey I began years ago and still often turn to when preparing food.  From smoothies to soups, herbs and spices can be used to create much more than flavor. This series began months ago in Part 1: Cardamom Cures and to this day happens to be the most popular and viewed post!  So, this got me thinking, maybe its time to continue looking at ways to enhance flavor and digestion.  Continuing with C's, next on the list is my love for coriander/cilantro.

Bone Broth Brings Relief and Nourishment

"Chicken soup...heals the nerves, improves digestion, reduces allergies, relaxes and gives strength."
-Hanna Kroeger, Ageless Remedies from Mother's Kitchen


Since my digestive problems began so many years ago I have tried everything under the sun.  You name it, from medications to meditation, Vitamix to vitamins, supplements to smoothies, prayers to purees, acupuncture to acupressure, yoga to yogurt, and finally denial to dying of starvation.  Some friends, some enemies, yet all have been a part of the journey finding some light in this long and narrow digestive tunnel.

Recently, I decided to take a step back and "simmer" down to the basics, pun intended!
Today, I am going to take us a few steps beyond chicken soup.  Packaged broth might be good for flavor but does not contribute any nutrition.  I want to talk about why I believe my recent journey with long-simmered stocks can be an essential part of our diet, nourishing not only to the soul but our entire being.  For centuries, cultures all over the world have used this basic remedy to cure hundreds of diseases and ailments.  As they say, it's grandma's penicillin.

Soothe Nausea with Ginger People!

As most of you probably know, ginger is a proven home remedy for nausea, vomiting and inflammation and a good friend to anyone with GP.  However, it can be so much more than just a cup of ginger tea, especially when there is a company like The Ginger People (GP!) that provide unlimited possibilities.  My favorite products include the ginger chews, crystallized ginger candy and chips, as well as the jarred organic minced and grated ginger, all conveniently ready for use.

Comforting Congee

This simple rice soup is easily digested and assimilated.  In China it is traditionally eaten as a breakfast food. Ingredients are chosen for their specific medicinal properties. The chicken and broth, for example, builds strength and are especially good for wasting illnessess and injuries. The ginger and cumin all boost flavor and aid digestion plus each offers other medicinal properties.

Congee is easy to make in a crock pot. Put up the soup before going to bed and awaken to this satisfying porridge.  Or, put it up before going to work and the soup will be ready when you come home.
*Note: Can also be made on the stove top.  Bring all ingredients to a simmer, cover and turn low for about an hour, making sure not to let it boil.