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The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life: The Revolutionary Modern Paleo Plan to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions
The cookbook companion to the groundbreaking The Wahls Protocol, featuring delicious, nutritionally dense recipes tailored to each level of the Wahls Paleo Diet. The Wahls Protocol has become a sensation, transforming the lives of people who suffer from autoimmune disorders. Now, in her highly anticipated follow-up, Dr. Wahls is sharing the essential Paleo-inspired recipes her readers need to reduce and often eliminate their chronic pain, fatigue, brain fog, and other symptoms related to autoimmune problems, neurological diseases, and other chronic conditions, even when physicians have been unable to make a specific diagnosis. Packed with easy-to-prepare meals based on Dr. Wahls’s pioneering therapeutic lifestyle clinic and her clinical research, in a simple format readers can customize to their own needs and preferences, this cookbook features breakfasts, smoothies, skillet meals, soups, wraps, salads, and snacks that are inexpensive to prepare, nourishing, and delicious. With strategies for cooking on a budget, reducing food waste, celebrating the holidays without compromising health, and helpful tips from fellow Wahls Warriors, The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life will empower readers to make lasting changes and finally reclaim their health.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2017
606 people are currently reading
555 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 18, 2018
nonfiction/recipe companion book to Wahls' other book (Functional Medicine, holistic healing through food, Keto and non-Keto recipes).
This didn't go into the details of the why (for that you have to read the first book, I guess), but I liked that this is a practicing doctor who became a Functional Medicine convert (after reversing her multiple sclerosis symptoms with diet), and who still practices licensed medicine--NOT a less-credentialed person who makes money primarily through selling books and products, as you often see in this field (lots of desperate, terminal people provide a big market for quack schemes, unfortunately).
I also really liked that this provided recipes for three different levels of the Wahls' diet, each progressively more extreme/difficult, so that one can either stop at the level that suits their personal health, or can use them to ease themselves into the most difficult and extreme level, the Keto diet (ketosis is when your body has no sugar/carbs to burn, so it burns your fat--it is apparently super effective in speeding up the recovery time of surgery patients and even patients with Stage 4 cancers, but of course in order to get to ketosis you basically have to eliminate all sugars and carbs from your diet, so you've really got to be serious about it). Fortunately, this book includes recipes for the rest of us.
This didn't go into the details of the why (for that you have to read the first book, I guess), but I liked that this is a practicing doctor who became a Functional Medicine convert (after reversing her multiple sclerosis symptoms with diet), and who still practices licensed medicine--NOT a less-credentialed person who makes money primarily through selling books and products, as you often see in this field (lots of desperate, terminal people provide a big market for quack schemes, unfortunately).
I also really liked that this provided recipes for three different levels of the Wahls' diet, each progressively more extreme/difficult, so that one can either stop at the level that suits their personal health, or can use them to ease themselves into the most difficult and extreme level, the Keto diet (ketosis is when your body has no sugar/carbs to burn, so it burns your fat--it is apparently super effective in speeding up the recovery time of surgery patients and even patients with Stage 4 cancers, but of course in order to get to ketosis you basically have to eliminate all sugars and carbs from your diet, so you've really got to be serious about it). Fortunately, this book includes recipes for the rest of us.
December 21, 2018
Love the cooking ideas from this book! Saved my life, I recommend for everyone with an autoimmune disease.
November 23, 2020
Reiterating knowledge that’s been in clinical practice for hundreds of years but relabeling it as “functional medicine”. The book is an excellent resource for those new to the scene on natural wellness.
She barely scrapes the surface of autoimmune disease and mostly discusses nutritional deficiencies/immune dysregulation due to dietary contributors when really with AI disease that’s a factor but should not be the focus.
There’s also a LOT of (toxic) ableist language accusing those with M.S that is not in remission as cheating on their diets and wellness protocols. As a physician and daughter to a disabled parent I find this approach with patients to be infuriating and a very one dimensional on a very complex system (the human body!)
As a result I would likely recommend this book to colleagues but not patients.
She barely scrapes the surface of autoimmune disease and mostly discusses nutritional deficiencies/immune dysregulation due to dietary contributors when really with AI disease that’s a factor but should not be the focus.
There’s also a LOT of (toxic) ableist language accusing those with M.S that is not in remission as cheating on their diets and wellness protocols. As a physician and daughter to a disabled parent I find this approach with patients to be infuriating and a very one dimensional on a very complex system (the human body!)
As a result I would likely recommend this book to colleagues but not patients.
November 27, 2019
Interesting cookbook for people with serious autoimmune and chronic conditions.
April 4, 2024
Though "The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life" focuses on those who deal with autoimmune disorders like Multiple Sclerosis, or chronic health issues, there is much of value here for all of us. Dr. Terry Wahls believes that our lifestyles influence our health in significant ways and that by changing our lifestyles, we can greatly improve our health:
"Reclaiming health isn't about early diagnosis or drug therapy or screening or imaging or testing. It is about providing an environment for our cells to function in the most optimal way possible, so that our bodies can function optimally." (p. 8)
The book is filled with true stories of individuals who have incorporated one of the Wahls Diet Levels into their lives, and have significantly improved their health as a result. These stories, written by the individuals themselves, are very compelling.
Wahl's covers all three levels of the diet in detail and includes many delicious and easy recipes at each level. It's about lots of organic fruits vegetables, and eliminating dairy and gluten-containing grains from our diets - low carbs and high fat. She also includes lists for one's pantry, kitchen tools, etc. There is a special section for the holidays and incorporating recipes into those special days that follow the Wahls plan. Finally, the book is attractive, informational, and easy to follow!
I made dairy free scalloped potatoes for Easter dinner with many of the ingredients that Wahls touts here (nutritional yeast, coconut milk, etc.). They were well-received! I have also incorporated some of her smoothie recipes into my morning routine. I also purchased matcha tea and love it!
I love reading cookbooks! This was a fun and informative read!
"Reclaiming health isn't about early diagnosis or drug therapy or screening or imaging or testing. It is about providing an environment for our cells to function in the most optimal way possible, so that our bodies can function optimally." (p. 8)
The book is filled with true stories of individuals who have incorporated one of the Wahls Diet Levels into their lives, and have significantly improved their health as a result. These stories, written by the individuals themselves, are very compelling.
Wahl's covers all three levels of the diet in detail and includes many delicious and easy recipes at each level. It's about lots of organic fruits vegetables, and eliminating dairy and gluten-containing grains from our diets - low carbs and high fat. She also includes lists for one's pantry, kitchen tools, etc. There is a special section for the holidays and incorporating recipes into those special days that follow the Wahls plan. Finally, the book is attractive, informational, and easy to follow!
I made dairy free scalloped potatoes for Easter dinner with many of the ingredients that Wahls touts here (nutritional yeast, coconut milk, etc.). They were well-received! I have also incorporated some of her smoothie recipes into my morning routine. I also purchased matcha tea and love it!
I love reading cookbooks! This was a fun and informative read!
February 10, 2019
This book is a great follow-up cookbook to Wahls' previous book about her three dietary plans to treat autoimmune conditions. I still find her three plans a bit confusing (they are similar to AIP Paleo but a little different), but they started making more sense in this book since it goes into detail about how to tailor each recipe to the three levels. I like the way Wahls focuses on simple, easy-to-make meals, that don't take much time. The recipes seem practical and doable. I also liked the last section about using common household items to make your own personal products. I can do baths in Epsom salts, but I don't quite have the nerve to try coconut oil on my face, etc. I also enjoyed reading the success stories that are scattered throughout the book. It's motivating and encouraging to read how others have turned their health around by following these diets.
December 5, 2020
Love The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life book it’s really easy to use. I’ve made loads of smoothies already and I’ll attempt to make the walls fudge. Easy to follow but I would recommend getting measuring cups which are the American sizes.
Buy the ebook:
The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life
Buy the ebook:
The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life
December 14, 2021
Filled with great informative facts about the diet and the benefits it can bring. It is quite strict however so would take a lot of commitment to stick to. I enjoyed hearing from the people who have tried it and the results they have seen.
February 3, 2022
I believe that the Wahls Protocol could help many people who have Autoimmune Conditions. I especially like the Chicken Soup recipe. I do wish those who write cookbooks for people like me would vary ingredients. We often have food allergies. I have to change every recipe.
February 13, 2020
Great cookbook!
February 17, 2020
Very good, well-explained in the beginning of the book. I enjoyed reading it and also I like the recipes. Not too complicated or fancy. Everyday food!
January 25, 2021
A doable plan for starting healthy eating for autoimmune diseases. There's a lot of recipes for smoothies, salads, and soups.
March 28, 2021
Very well organized with genuinely delicious recipes! It does a better job of making a potentially challenging diet/constellation of diet options more accessible than I'd imagined possible.
July 21, 2017
Bookmarks
Pg 129 avenin protein
Pg 159
Pg 200 potassium broth
Pg 226 garlic goodness
Pg 262 Wahls fudge
Pg 129 avenin protein
Pg 159
Pg 200 potassium broth
Pg 226 garlic goodness
Pg 262 Wahls fudge
January 16, 2025
I started to read Dr. Wahls' diet book after hearing her several times on Iowa Public Radio. Although I'm not ready to commit to the strict diet, I do like to try new healthy recipes. The cookbook begins with a summary of Dr. Wahls' story of disease and recovery as well as a brief review of the diet plan. That is followed by recipes that follow the protocol, sprinkled with success stories from patients.
November 29, 2017
A must-have if you are challenged with multiple sclerosis or other Autoimmune diseases.
Although I put a read date, this is not a book I ever finish as I refer to it all the time.
Really excellent.
Although I put a read date, this is not a book I ever finish as I refer to it all the time.
Really excellent.
April 4, 2017
This is a nice set of recipes and templates for those seeking to follow the Wahls protocol. It fills a nice niche between prescriptive and offering options. Very useful, and a great complement to her first book.
(Get the physical copy. The kindle edition is all-right, but a physical copy will be far easier to use).
(Get the physical copy. The kindle edition is all-right, but a physical copy will be far easier to use).
April 10, 2017
Over the last five or so years, I have had the honor and privilege of reviewing the books of some pretty amazing people and gifted authors. Twenty of those books came out of our beloved real food/paleo/primal/ancestral community. Today I am quite thrilled to review Dr. Terry Wahls' cookbook, The Wahls Protocol: Cooking for Life, as number twenty one.
Those of you in our community know her story and have seen her TED talk (terrywahls.com/tag/ted-talk/) and can safely skip this paragraph. For everyone else: Dr. Wahls was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in 2000, and then with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis three years later. She underwent chemotherapy in an attempt to slow the disease and began using a reclining wheelchair because of the consequential muscular weakness. Degeneration was inevitable. But inevitable doesn't mean acceptable. Unhappy with this prognosis, Dr. Wahls researched deeper and deeper until around 2007. She had put together a solid plan, but by then she was much more reliant on the wheelchair. Her plan was to eat her way good health, using certain nutrient-dense real food choices as her prescription. In just 12 months, she had healed to the point where she was able to totally lose the wheelchair and even ride an 18 mile bicycle tour. Suffice to say, with 60 published peer-reviewed studies under her belt, she is an inspiration and hero to countless people around the globe, in the real food community and out, struggling with MS or not. She is a symbol of hope and triumph for everyone and everyone affected by any autoimmune condition.
So you can imagine how excited I was to have a chance to review this first-of-its-kind cookbook authored not just by an MD, but by a specialist in using food as medicine, one who was also a patient, and one who was successful doing it herself. Just looking at this book: Cooking for Life daringly states across the top of it that it's a cookbook TO TREAT ALL CHRONIC AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS. Earlier today the enormity of that slapped me across the face with a frozen halibut: This is actually a sweet little piece of history I've got here in my excited palms. The Wahls Protocol will survive long after most of us are pushing up flowers. And Dr. Wahls' name will deservingly be one of a handful to go down in history for helping legitimize and proliferate what will inevitably - and acceptably - become the new mainstream protocol for dealing with all autoimmune conditions.
Then I reflected: Them be some big-ass shoes The Doc gots to fill. Seriously. Especially with that bold statement unabashedly presenting across the cover. It is with all these expectations that I finally opened the pages of Cooking for Life. After a few seconds I started to hear a series of consecutive and loudly spoken "WOW" sounds...apparently coming from...my very own lips...
Ladies and Gentlemen: In the Paleo Corner, weighing in at a formidable 359 pages, measuring 7x9 inches, and fresh off the press we have The Wahls Protocol: Cooking for Life: A guide to successfully changing how you eat and how you think about food, and empowering you to make this most critical shift from living in the shadow of disease to perfect health. Cooking for Life indeed.
The Wahls Protocol: Cooking for Life addresses recipes in a way I have never seen before: scaled to *your* needs. The vast majority of recipes in Cooking for Life are broken down into three variations, scaled depending on the severity of your autoimmune disease problems, from nonexistent to difficult to manage. This is how the Wahls Protocol is structured, and the cookbook presents each of the three variations next to one another in a little table, turning a delicious but general recipe into one that is tailored to you and your tolerances. Speaking of recipes, this sucker is comprehensive: from bone broth to ice cream. On top of all that, it includes some amazing articles on how to forage your own food, how to select household cleaning supplies that do not contribute to your medical condition, specific food-related nutrient-enhancing discussions (like "Garlic Goodness" and "Delectable Desserts" which put our modern choices into the ancestral and the Wahls Protocol perspectives, always giving you yummy options). But the most inspiring bonus included in Cooking for Life are the Wahls Warriors testimonials. The stories, even taken by themselves, are awe-inspiring. They are distributed comfortably throughout the book, effectively cheering you along as you read it.
Having written in this area myself, and having had the privilege of talking one-on-one with countless people in the community, the most difficult challenge confronting those transitioning to this way of eating, and those trying to buckle it down for the long term, is governing what we put in our mouths. That is really tough for so many. Here’s the good news: While you are casually reading these recipes, Dr. Wahls will - almost without you even being aware - educate you as to WHY her recommended choices are better and WHAT those other choices are doing to you. Dr. Wahls will arm you with KNOWLEDGE, the Weapon of Choice of the Wahls Warrior, the one to keep YOU in control. When a food, for example, a very yummy and compelling food with a long history of causing you pain, is finally fully EXPOSED for what it does to your body, and you understand the mechanism of HOW it works, and when you’ve managed to stop eating it for a few days and start to FEEL REALLY GOOD, can you guess what will happen? You might potentially become disgusted that you ever ate that food, but at the very least you won't crave it so much anymore. That is True Empowerment...and Dr. Wahls threw it in with all the recipes, ever so casually, at no additional cost.
In summary: This is pretty much the standard run-of-the-mill stuff you might expect from a LIFE-SAVING WORLD-FAMOUS WELL-PUBLISHED BRILLIANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST (with a heart of gold and a habit for being thorough): FREAKING INCREDIBLE.
This cookbook comes with my highest recommendation. All of my twenty digits are presently pointing upward, not just my thumbs. Thank goodness for speech recognition technology.
If you know anyone with an autoimmune condition that needs to be treated, start here, now, with getting this book. Because this is really one of the few ways real change can start to happen in that person’s life. And afterward, when that person is focused on LIVING instead of disease management, encourage him/her to drop Dr. Wahls a line so she can share the testimonial and inspire others to take that all important first step toward living a pain-free life.
Those of you in our community know her story and have seen her TED talk (terrywahls.com/tag/ted-talk/) and can safely skip this paragraph. For everyone else: Dr. Wahls was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in 2000, and then with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis three years later. She underwent chemotherapy in an attempt to slow the disease and began using a reclining wheelchair because of the consequential muscular weakness. Degeneration was inevitable. But inevitable doesn't mean acceptable. Unhappy with this prognosis, Dr. Wahls researched deeper and deeper until around 2007. She had put together a solid plan, but by then she was much more reliant on the wheelchair. Her plan was to eat her way good health, using certain nutrient-dense real food choices as her prescription. In just 12 months, she had healed to the point where she was able to totally lose the wheelchair and even ride an 18 mile bicycle tour. Suffice to say, with 60 published peer-reviewed studies under her belt, she is an inspiration and hero to countless people around the globe, in the real food community and out, struggling with MS or not. She is a symbol of hope and triumph for everyone and everyone affected by any autoimmune condition.
So you can imagine how excited I was to have a chance to review this first-of-its-kind cookbook authored not just by an MD, but by a specialist in using food as medicine, one who was also a patient, and one who was successful doing it herself. Just looking at this book: Cooking for Life daringly states across the top of it that it's a cookbook TO TREAT ALL CHRONIC AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS. Earlier today the enormity of that slapped me across the face with a frozen halibut: This is actually a sweet little piece of history I've got here in my excited palms. The Wahls Protocol will survive long after most of us are pushing up flowers. And Dr. Wahls' name will deservingly be one of a handful to go down in history for helping legitimize and proliferate what will inevitably - and acceptably - become the new mainstream protocol for dealing with all autoimmune conditions.
Then I reflected: Them be some big-ass shoes The Doc gots to fill. Seriously. Especially with that bold statement unabashedly presenting across the cover. It is with all these expectations that I finally opened the pages of Cooking for Life. After a few seconds I started to hear a series of consecutive and loudly spoken "WOW" sounds...apparently coming from...my very own lips...
Ladies and Gentlemen: In the Paleo Corner, weighing in at a formidable 359 pages, measuring 7x9 inches, and fresh off the press we have The Wahls Protocol: Cooking for Life: A guide to successfully changing how you eat and how you think about food, and empowering you to make this most critical shift from living in the shadow of disease to perfect health. Cooking for Life indeed.
The Wahls Protocol: Cooking for Life addresses recipes in a way I have never seen before: scaled to *your* needs. The vast majority of recipes in Cooking for Life are broken down into three variations, scaled depending on the severity of your autoimmune disease problems, from nonexistent to difficult to manage. This is how the Wahls Protocol is structured, and the cookbook presents each of the three variations next to one another in a little table, turning a delicious but general recipe into one that is tailored to you and your tolerances. Speaking of recipes, this sucker is comprehensive: from bone broth to ice cream. On top of all that, it includes some amazing articles on how to forage your own food, how to select household cleaning supplies that do not contribute to your medical condition, specific food-related nutrient-enhancing discussions (like "Garlic Goodness" and "Delectable Desserts" which put our modern choices into the ancestral and the Wahls Protocol perspectives, always giving you yummy options). But the most inspiring bonus included in Cooking for Life are the Wahls Warriors testimonials. The stories, even taken by themselves, are awe-inspiring. They are distributed comfortably throughout the book, effectively cheering you along as you read it.
Having written in this area myself, and having had the privilege of talking one-on-one with countless people in the community, the most difficult challenge confronting those transitioning to this way of eating, and those trying to buckle it down for the long term, is governing what we put in our mouths. That is really tough for so many. Here’s the good news: While you are casually reading these recipes, Dr. Wahls will - almost without you even being aware - educate you as to WHY her recommended choices are better and WHAT those other choices are doing to you. Dr. Wahls will arm you with KNOWLEDGE, the Weapon of Choice of the Wahls Warrior, the one to keep YOU in control. When a food, for example, a very yummy and compelling food with a long history of causing you pain, is finally fully EXPOSED for what it does to your body, and you understand the mechanism of HOW it works, and when you’ve managed to stop eating it for a few days and start to FEEL REALLY GOOD, can you guess what will happen? You might potentially become disgusted that you ever ate that food, but at the very least you won't crave it so much anymore. That is True Empowerment...and Dr. Wahls threw it in with all the recipes, ever so casually, at no additional cost.
In summary: This is pretty much the standard run-of-the-mill stuff you might expect from a LIFE-SAVING WORLD-FAMOUS WELL-PUBLISHED BRILLIANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST (with a heart of gold and a habit for being thorough): FREAKING INCREDIBLE.
This cookbook comes with my highest recommendation. All of my twenty digits are presently pointing upward, not just my thumbs. Thank goodness for speech recognition technology.
If you know anyone with an autoimmune condition that needs to be treated, start here, now, with getting this book. Because this is really one of the few ways real change can start to happen in that person’s life. And afterward, when that person is focused on LIVING instead of disease management, encourage him/her to drop Dr. Wahls a line so she can share the testimonial and inspire others to take that all important first step toward living a pain-free life.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews