Gelles, author of 1,000 Vegetarian Recipes
(which won an IACP/Julia Child Cookbook Award), has a master's degree in food and nutrition and herself suffers from diabetes. Her knowledge of food, as well as her own experience with this disease, which affects 17 million Americans, enables her to provide nutritionally correct recipes for fellow diabetics. As she points out in her introduction, many patients within this population are faced with additional complications such as heart disease, hypertension and kidney problems; each carefully composed recipe, therefore, addresses the limitations imposed by these conditions. For instance, Shredded Pork with Garlic Sauce comes with suggestions for palatably reducing sodium, protein and fat when necessary. Diabetic exchanges are suggested, and menu ideas provided. Readers get a quick nutritional summary with each recipe, and a more complete breakdown at the back of the book. Ingredient lists are short, cooking procedures straightforward, portions small, and flavors satisfying. Creamy Portobello Mushroom Soup, Herbed Veal and Spinach Meat Loaf and Ginger Bread Pudding all prove that despite adherence to strict guidelines, there can still be real "pleasure to be found in eating" for all diabetics. (Apr.)
