The Bloated Belly Whisperer: See Results Within a Week, and Tame Digestive Issues Once and for All

Freuman, a registered dietitian nutritionist, presents a comprehensive and information-packed study of belly bloat (a distended belly or uncomfortable feeling of fullness) and possible causes. Cribbing from Tolstoy, she observes, “Every unhappy belly is unhappy in its own way.” To wit, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to bloating (a symptom, not a medical condition). In part one, Freuman provides a useful diagnostic quiz to helps readers determine which of 10 common causes is at fault. In parts two and three, she addresses “upper-abdominal bloating that originates in the stomach” (e.g., classic indigestion and functional dyspepsia) and “lower-abdominal bloating that originates in the intestines” (e.g., constipation and small intestine bacterial overgrowth). Part four goes over helpful diets, including a GI gentle diet and a low-FODMAP diet (specifically useful for conditions causing intestinal gassiness), and 50 “belly-friendly” recipes. Freuman clearly explains how each ailment is diagnosed and treated, while cautioning that her book isn’t intended as a substitute for working with a knowledgeable gastroenterologist. With candor (to her dyspepsia clients, she notes, “Your days of chugging beer are over”) and science-based expertise, Freuman offers invaluable information for readers suffering from a range of debilitating digestive issues. Agent: Carole Bidnick, Bidnick & Co. (Dec.)