Meals that Heal by Carolyn Williams

MEALS THAT HEAL by Carolyn Williams is a fun, recently published cookbook from Simon & Schuster’s new imprint, Tiller Press. MEALS THAT HEAL contains helpful nutritional background and “100+ Everyday Anti-Inflammatory Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less.” A registered dietitian and culinary nutrition expert, Williams is further described as “known for her ability to simplify the concept of healthy eating.” This text absolutely illustrates that skill.  First, Williams provides a basic explanation of “good” and “bad” inflammation, using a chart to explain what it is, causes, immune response, signs, and health impact.  Certainly some readers will already be familiar with her list of 8 top recommended foods (leafy greens, olive oil, berries, cruciferous vegetables, green tea, gut health promoters and nuts/seeds), but Williams adds detailed examples, portion suggestions and also then emphasizes “assessing where you are” in order to best utilize her recipes.  

Williams goes on to suggest a set of refrigerator and pantry staples for recipes like Black Bean and Spinach Quesadillas, Avocado Chicken Salad, and One Pan Steak with Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans.  Appetizing, and relatively quick and easy to make, with few specialized ingredients! The numerous colorful pictures and nutrition information contribute to the quality and appeal of this cookbook. Chapter headings are pretty standard: Breakfast (with a chart on Breakfast Bowl Ideas); Lunch (plenty of salads and an emphasis on un-sandwich choices); Poultry/Meat; Fish and Shellfish (with a buyer’s guide); Meatless Mains; Sides; and Snacks and Drinks. Recipes generally include a color photo and nutritional data, plus an icon for being vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and/or dairy free. The final section provides “Menus for Healing” so readers can begin to develop a plan which is more focused on heart health, brain health (on a related note, there is a just-released study highlighted by NBC News and others regarding lifestyle behaviors and their impact on Alzheimer’s), pain relief and so forth. Although some other charts (e.g., foods to avoid or greatly limit) were blurry and harder to read in the digital preview, I am excited to see the print version of MEALS THAT HEAL which will be on our shelves soon. Cooking and nutrition classes will find much to explore.