Positive Cooking

Registered dietitians McMillan and Jarvie have teamed with health writer Brauer to create a heartening approach to meeting the special dietary needs of people living with HIV. They focus on nutritionally dense, yet easy-to-prepare recipes and one-week meal plans labeled to indicate their usefulness in combatting symptoms commonly experienced by those with HIV (e.g, diarrhea, alterations in taste, dry mouth and throat, nausea and weight loss). Recipe chapters, which are arranged by course or main ingredient (Healthy Start Breakfasts; Vegetarian Entrees), include charts of common symptoms and those recipes that address them. Some recipes include variations tailored to alleviate specific symptoms (e.g., replacing low-fat milk in a Honey Graham Smoothie with soymilk or lactose-free milk if diarrhea is a problem). The authors emphasize the role that a nutritionally sound diet plays in maintaining health for symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV-positive individuals. The generally appealing and healthful recipes (Lemon Yogurt Muffins; Potato-Zucchini Soup; Spinach Squares; Chicken and Artichoke Casserole; Mexican Baked Chicken with Beans) would likely benefit people living with cancer or other chronic, debilitating diseases, and those undergoing chemotherapy or other demanding therapeutic treatments. 30,000 first printing; $30,000 ad/promo. (Mar.)