03/17/03

Your Gut Reaction: New Book From the American Dietetic Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2003

Media contact: Lori Ferme

CHICAGO -- Does your stomach "talk back" after eating? Do you find that foods don't agree with you? Is your gut causing you discomfort, embarrassment -- or worse? You're not alone.

Digestive disorders affect millions of people. Irritable bowel syndrome, the most frequently diagnosed digestive disorder, affects one out of every ten people in this country.

"When things are working well, the body is remarkably efficient at self-care and you feel great," says registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association spokesperson Leslie Bonci. "But when you are having a bad digestive day, you can feel absolutely miserable."

Bonci is the author of the American Dietetic Association's newly published Guide to Better Digestion, a consumer-friendly book that offers practical dietary modifications, lifestyle habits and eating survival tips for people with digestive conditions of all kinds.

Another digestive disorder includes heartburn, with 25 million Americans suffering each day and 60 million experiencing it at least once or twice a month. Millions are also affected by diverticular disease, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gas and bloating, gallstones and pancreatitis.

"ADA's Guide to Better Digestion is written to help people with digestive disorders reclaim their lives and enjoy themselves," Bonci says. "My hope is that people will use the tools in this book to rid themselves of much of the discomfort -- and sometimes embarrassment -- that can happen from eating certain foods.

"The book outlines successful approaches I have taken with many clients over 20 years as a registered dietitian. In that time, I have seen many people who were suffering, some of them terribly, now managing their conditions, eating well and enjoying food again," Bonci says.

ADA's Guide to Better Digestion is available at bookstores for $14.95 and can be ordered from the American Dietetic Association at "Shop Online".

With nearly 70,000 members, the Chicago-based American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition and well-being.

###