What do you think?
Rate this book
Meals She Eats: Empowering Advice, Relatable Stories, and Over 25 Recipes to Take Control of Your PCOS
New York Times Bestseller
A first of its kind, functional lifestyle guide for PCOS, complete with personal stories and nourishing recipes
You’ve been diagnosed with or suspect polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) . You’ve done some research, and you want to start the journey of regulating your cycle and managing your symptoms naturally.
Can you relate to bloating, acne, cramps, and irregular periods? And beyond these typical PMS symptoms, do you also experience intense mood swings, irritability, heavy flow, and crippling fatigue? These were the norms in Rachael’s life that she was told were just a part of being a woman. Like her, you know these aren’t normal, but you have the hope of living symptom free.
Meals She Eats is the guide you've been looking for. This book bridges the gap between research and personal experience and offers everything you need to know to naturally manage your diagnosis during each phase of your cycle.
Laugh with Tom and Rachael, who are in your very shoes, and enjoy recipes loaded with the seasonal, nutrient-rich foods your body craves. Their personal stories of successes, mistakes, and everything between (looking at you, tampon chronicle) will keep your spirits high as you empower yourself with specific and actionable diet and lifestyle modifications, learn how to collaborate effectively with doctors, and understand your cycle to relieve the worst of your symptoms.
A first of its kind, functional lifestyle guide for PCOS, complete with personal stories and nourishing recipes
You’ve been diagnosed with or suspect polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) . You’ve done some research, and you want to start the journey of regulating your cycle and managing your symptoms naturally.
Can you relate to bloating, acne, cramps, and irregular periods? And beyond these typical PMS symptoms, do you also experience intense mood swings, irritability, heavy flow, and crippling fatigue? These were the norms in Rachael’s life that she was told were just a part of being a woman. Like her, you know these aren’t normal, but you have the hope of living symptom free.
Meals She Eats is the guide you've been looking for. This book bridges the gap between research and personal experience and offers everything you need to know to naturally manage your diagnosis during each phase of your cycle.
Laugh with Tom and Rachael, who are in your very shoes, and enjoy recipes loaded with the seasonal, nutrient-rich foods your body craves. Their personal stories of successes, mistakes, and everything between (looking at you, tampon chronicle) will keep your spirits high as you empower yourself with specific and actionable diet and lifestyle modifications, learn how to collaborate effectively with doctors, and understand your cycle to relieve the worst of your symptoms.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published April 18, 2023
343 people are currently reading
5111 people want to read
About the author
Tom Sullivan
77 books37 followersTom Sullivan is an American singer, actor, writer, and motivational speaker. Blind since infancy, he has been a public advocate for assistive services for the blind, and research into treatments for blindness.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
May 20, 2023
After two years of looking for answers, I was diagnosed with PCOS a mere few days before this book release. I immediately scoured the internet, and read a few other cookbooks with similar intent. This one stood out for its relatability, dual POV, and heart.
My main complaint is the hefty price tag involved. After paying $40 for about 1.5 hours of reading, I was left with not a ton of accessible recipes. For example, at least 10/25 recipes contain large quantities of salmon and raw ingredient substitutes. That would easily double the cost of my already high-raw diet’s grocery bill!
After starting to do my own research on the menstrual cycle, I discovered a majority of their visuals were just pulled from Google images. On top of that, many of their recipes are differentiated by merely a few ingredients. For example, the avocado toast and the salmon (again with the salmon!) avocado toast only differ by 1-2 ingredients.
Summary: I was excited on my first read, and let down when actually trying to navigate and apply content in this book. A great resource if you're rich and willing to eat a lot of the same thing!
My main complaint is the hefty price tag involved. After paying $40 for about 1.5 hours of reading, I was left with not a ton of accessible recipes. For example, at least 10/25 recipes contain large quantities of salmon and raw ingredient substitutes. That would easily double the cost of my already high-raw diet’s grocery bill!
After starting to do my own research on the menstrual cycle, I discovered a majority of their visuals were just pulled from Google images. On top of that, many of their recipes are differentiated by merely a few ingredients. For example, the avocado toast and the salmon (again with the salmon!) avocado toast only differ by 1-2 ingredients.
Summary: I was excited on my first read, and let down when actually trying to navigate and apply content in this book. A great resource if you're rich and willing to eat a lot of the same thing!
April 19, 2023
Tom & Rachel are the best !!!!!!!!!!!! My love for them has tripled.
This book is not only so informative (truly how am I learning so much about the menstrual cycle when I am in my TWENTIES) but filled with many tasty ingredients!
This book is not only so informative (truly how am I learning so much about the menstrual cycle when I am in my TWENTIES) but filled with many tasty ingredients!
July 17, 2024
One of the most helpful, informative and clear guides to balancing hormones through food with PCOS. The first half of the book has a lot of really great information about how food affects our hormones, what PCOS is, and how your body operates with it. The second half is FULL of amazing recipes. I’ve been reading and cooking from this book for the past year, and it has some of my favorite meals. I can’t recommend this enough, especially if you’re trying to learn how to regulate your cycle and hormones through food. Five stars.
January 4, 2023
I have been following @MealsSheEats on Instagram for forever. I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) when I was 21 and was basically sent on my merry way by the doctor without any guidance as to what I was supposed to do afterward. Only at the beginning of 2022 (at the age of 28) did I finally figure out what it was that I needed to be doing and eating to help balance my hormones and to help reverse the awful symptoms that come with this diagnosis.
The Meals She Eats Instagram page was a great source of meal planning inspiration this past year and I’m so happy to see them come out with a cookbook of their own! There’s not many cookbooks on the market centered around PCOS—trust me, I’ve searched everywhere!!—so this is such a big win for the CYSTer community. The couple also includes helpful tips & tricks and insights they have learned about PCOS throughout the years. This has good information and is a great place to start if you are struggling to figure out what to do!
Thank you to the authors and publisher for providing a Netgalley ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The Meals She Eats Instagram page was a great source of meal planning inspiration this past year and I’m so happy to see them come out with a cookbook of their own! There’s not many cookbooks on the market centered around PCOS—trust me, I’ve searched everywhere!!—so this is such a big win for the CYSTer community. The couple also includes helpful tips & tricks and insights they have learned about PCOS throughout the years. This has good information and is a great place to start if you are struggling to figure out what to do!
Thank you to the authors and publisher for providing a Netgalley ARC in exchange for my honest review!
July 12, 2023
This is the first cookbook that I’ve read cover-to-cover—and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Sullivans talk about the menstrual cycle, plus eating foods and moving in ways that help people who menstruate regulate their bodies. Excited to try out recipes and treat my food more intentionally.
January 10, 2025
Super interesting book! I learned a TON! I cant wait to start to make some of these recipes 🫶🏼 They all look delicious 😋
May 6, 2024
Very insightful about PCOS and how to regulate an abnormal period. Cannot wait to start changing my diet and see if it helps!
April 23, 2023
love the mix of science and practicality! looking forward to referencing this book, and using the recipes :)
January 10, 2023
If you’ve seen this couple’s story, then you already know how amazingly sweet this husband was in supporting his wife while she was trying to support her body post-PCOS diagnosis. If not, don’t worry because they tell you about their story in the beginning of this book. Either way, you should definitely head over to instagram and follow them at meals she eats.
I absolutely LOVE how the recipes, exercise suggestions, and self-care tips were laid out by cycle phase. Literally my only complaint was that there weren’t “enough” recipes! And I use that lightly because there were quite a few for each cycle phase.
The information in this book was phenomenal. As a fertility/labor doula, childbirth educator, and apprentice midwife, I love finding good resources for my clients when it involves them sorting their bodies in the healthiest way possible. This is one I will definitely be recommending to my clients.
Thank you to NetGalley and DK for allowing me the pleasure to read and review this book!
I absolutely LOVE how the recipes, exercise suggestions, and self-care tips were laid out by cycle phase. Literally my only complaint was that there weren’t “enough” recipes! And I use that lightly because there were quite a few for each cycle phase.
The information in this book was phenomenal. As a fertility/labor doula, childbirth educator, and apprentice midwife, I love finding good resources for my clients when it involves them sorting their bodies in the healthiest way possible. This is one I will definitely be recommending to my clients.
Thank you to NetGalley and DK for allowing me the pleasure to read and review this book!
March 31, 2025
I think the book is very informative as far as what types of foods to eat during your cycle / as you're trying to restore a normal cycle and how to cook / exercise to support your hormones throughout. I feel like their approach is both attainable and doesn't feel super restrictive to me personally (focus on whole foods). I've just started to implement their suggestions, along with others from RD's on instagram - I'm not as upset as most people that there aren't a ton of recipes in the book. Their explanations on hormones and what happens in a (normal) cycle helped me understand better what is supposed to happen on a level I can understand. As someone who tends to eat the same things over and over I'm excited to see how I feel
June 23, 2023
pcos is such a complex topic and can feel isolating as there’s not a lot of information that doctors agree on, as well as the fact that it’s a newer issue in the past few years. I have mixed feelings over medication, but I always love the route of holistically healing your hormones. after being diagnosed with pcos I was searching for things to educate myself and figure out how to balance my hormones and fix the symptoms as naturally as possible—-this book does a phenomenal job of getting into pcos and everything it encompasses while also providing replacement foods/recipes to try/foods to avoid and so much more. I love this couple & they are so honest and inspiring. definitely recommend!!!
June 21, 2023
Feels weird to rate a cookbook, but this was extremely informative and helpful! Usually I hate when you pull up a recipe and there’s all this backstory about the author, but I just love this couple! I am definitely looking forward to trying some of the recipes and look into some of their recommended swaps!!
January 23, 2023
Finally someone did it! As an individual who has been diagnosed with PCOS, there is now a book that details everything straight forward. From breaking everything down to seeing doctors, asking questions, labs/testing, hormone education, comparison of a non cystic-menstrual cycle to one that deals with PCOS, talking about hormone therapy (birth control pros and cons), diet, movement/exercise, IT HAS IT ALL!
As a person who had studied and looked at journals on PCOS to find out scientific knowledge on PCOS (which a lot more work needs to be done), this couple brought their own journey and brought in the medically trained doctors and scientists, collaborated with them, and compiled all this knowledge together.
So, where are my hang ups? I would like to see more options on proteins sources versus red meat or vegan options being listed to diversify in the menus. As a person who deals with diverticular disease in addition, I have to limit red meat and seeing a lot of red meat in the meals can feel a bit defeating but nothing too serious.
Also, I would like them for have quoted more scientific journals on their sources, whether at the end of the book, or during their introduction section so it does not seem to come off as trial and error and “well, this worked for her, maybe you too!”. You can seriously tell both these individuals worked hard on this book with putting in knowledge in other sections… as a healthcare provider with this syndrome it would be great for that added bonus.
Gluten, soy, dairy free is very much promoted through this book and I would like to see more evidence or open discussion of choosing gluten or dairy lifestyle and how to adjust with PCOS before jumping on the bandwagon to avoid it all together because other hormone balancing cookbooks promote such products. Could this be a result from still needed research to be done and everyone is still figuring it out? Absolutely.
This book was a great leap in the right direction and is highly recommended to read along with Moon Cycle Cookbook (which takes more TCM approach).
Thank you for DK Publishing for the ARC!
As a person who had studied and looked at journals on PCOS to find out scientific knowledge on PCOS (which a lot more work needs to be done), this couple brought their own journey and brought in the medically trained doctors and scientists, collaborated with them, and compiled all this knowledge together.
So, where are my hang ups? I would like to see more options on proteins sources versus red meat or vegan options being listed to diversify in the menus. As a person who deals with diverticular disease in addition, I have to limit red meat and seeing a lot of red meat in the meals can feel a bit defeating but nothing too serious.
Also, I would like them for have quoted more scientific journals on their sources, whether at the end of the book, or during their introduction section so it does not seem to come off as trial and error and “well, this worked for her, maybe you too!”. You can seriously tell both these individuals worked hard on this book with putting in knowledge in other sections… as a healthcare provider with this syndrome it would be great for that added bonus.
Gluten, soy, dairy free is very much promoted through this book and I would like to see more evidence or open discussion of choosing gluten or dairy lifestyle and how to adjust with PCOS before jumping on the bandwagon to avoid it all together because other hormone balancing cookbooks promote such products. Could this be a result from still needed research to be done and everyone is still figuring it out? Absolutely.
This book was a great leap in the right direction and is highly recommended to read along with Moon Cycle Cookbook (which takes more TCM approach).
Thank you for DK Publishing for the ARC!
May 25, 2023
It was informative and I learned a lot about eating right with your PCOS, but honestly the recipes were nothing new or warranted an entire cookbook. They are very basic, nutritious - yes, but very basic.
November 18, 2023
I love that they explain a cycle, give you recommendations for what you should eat and actually provide resources to make improvements that could help your cycle. Excited to try some of these things!
September 26, 2024
My only complaint, I wish there were more recipes! I love how this explained at a high level about how to eat for your hormones, and using personal stories and successes of the Sullivan family. The recipes are delicious and I love that most are for 2-4 people.
January 30, 2025
Very informative and clear about how your diet affects a woman’s menstrual cycle. Excited to try some of the recipes!!
April 28, 2023
I never thought a cook book could make me cry and laugh!
April 29, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was very informative about PCOS. Not as many recipes as I would have imagined for a cookbook but I still liked it!
August 23, 2025
If you have PCOS, or want to learn more about the connection of food with PCOS, this is the book to read ✅
May 1, 2023
This is a unique and interesting cookbook. Really enjoyed the back story for Tom and Rachael. They provided great information for navigating PCOS. The recipes sound amazing, and the photos were beautiful. I'm definitely looking forward to making them.
Thank you, DK Publishing and NetGalley, for the ARC.
Thank you, DK Publishing and NetGalley, for the ARC.
March 11, 2023
Good intro to anti-inflammatory eating. The authors have no special training or education but did consult with a medical doctor. Seems too have a very narrow intended audience - those of dual income, healthy, regular kitchen/fridge/fresh food access, child-bearing age, menstruating adults with a partner. The authors advocate a low carb diet, no gluten soy or dairy. They do eat animal proteins but substitutes are mentioned. They also advocate for avoiding birth control. No discussion of other life phases (pregnant, per-menopause, etc) is addressed.
Recipe section is divided into 4 sections based on cycle phases. There are not necessarily breakfast lunch and dinner recipes for all phases but there is a suggested 28-day meal plan as well as shopping lists for each phase.
Recipe section is divided into 4 sections based on cycle phases. There are not necessarily breakfast lunch and dinner recipes for all phases but there is a suggested 28-day meal plan as well as shopping lists for each phase.
May 18, 2023
Meals She Eats:
Empowering Advice, Relatable Stories, and Over 25 Recipes to Take Control of Your PCOS
By Tom Sullivan April 18th 2023
<3 As a person living with #PCOS, I wish this book written by folks with lived experienced existed during my #deathsentence. The pictures are dynamic and the preparation and love that went into them is unmatched--I don't even possess the intimacy to go through all that labor for myself. However, the research on the mental and physical symptoms would have made all those miserable painful years a lot more tolerable--instead I was wishing for death on a monthly schedule. These photos are food art worthy and this is a gem of a book for couples or single women dealing with the misery of PCOS. I do see myself making the low labor salads he created. I wish there was a one button ingredient ordering button on Amazon to buy all what is needed in one go. Great resource for clean eating meals and self-care rituals. This was very well done and quite romantic IMO. <3
#MealsSheEats #NetGalley
A first of its kind, functional lifestyle guide for PCOS, complete with personal stories and nourishing recipes
You've been diagnosed with or suspect polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). You've done some research, and you want to start the journey of regulating your cycle and managing your symptoms naturally.
Can you relate to bloating, acne, cramps, and irregular periods? And beyond these typical PMS symptoms, do you also experience intense mood swings, irritability, heavy flow, and crippling fatigue? These were the norms in Rachael's life that she was told were just a part of being a woman. Like her, you know these aren't normal, but you have the hope of living symptom free.
Meals She Eats is the guide you've been looking for. This book bridges the gap between research and personal experience and offers everything you need to know to naturally manage your diagnosis during each phase of your cycle.
-What's going on in your body and why
-Tasty recipes designed with optimal nutrients
-Helpful shopping lists that make eating healthy easy
-Strategic movement advice so you feel your best
-Self-care practices part of a holistic therapeutic approach
-Journaling methods for targeted healing
Laugh with Tom and Rachael, who are in your very shoes, and enjoy recipes loaded with the seasonal, nutrient-rich foods your body craves. Their personal stories of successes, mistakes, and everything between (looking at you, tampon chronicle) will keep your spirits high as you empower yourself with specific and actionable diet and lifestyle modifications, learn how to collaborate effectively with doctors, and understand your cycle to relieve the worst of your symptoms.
Empowering Advice, Relatable Stories, and Over 25 Recipes to Take Control of Your PCOS
By Tom Sullivan April 18th 2023
<3 As a person living with #PCOS, I wish this book written by folks with lived experienced existed during my #deathsentence. The pictures are dynamic and the preparation and love that went into them is unmatched--I don't even possess the intimacy to go through all that labor for myself. However, the research on the mental and physical symptoms would have made all those miserable painful years a lot more tolerable--instead I was wishing for death on a monthly schedule. These photos are food art worthy and this is a gem of a book for couples or single women dealing with the misery of PCOS. I do see myself making the low labor salads he created. I wish there was a one button ingredient ordering button on Amazon to buy all what is needed in one go. Great resource for clean eating meals and self-care rituals. This was very well done and quite romantic IMO. <3
#MealsSheEats #NetGalley
A first of its kind, functional lifestyle guide for PCOS, complete with personal stories and nourishing recipes
You've been diagnosed with or suspect polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). You've done some research, and you want to start the journey of regulating your cycle and managing your symptoms naturally.
Can you relate to bloating, acne, cramps, and irregular periods? And beyond these typical PMS symptoms, do you also experience intense mood swings, irritability, heavy flow, and crippling fatigue? These were the norms in Rachael's life that she was told were just a part of being a woman. Like her, you know these aren't normal, but you have the hope of living symptom free.
Meals She Eats is the guide you've been looking for. This book bridges the gap between research and personal experience and offers everything you need to know to naturally manage your diagnosis during each phase of your cycle.
-What's going on in your body and why
-Tasty recipes designed with optimal nutrients
-Helpful shopping lists that make eating healthy easy
-Strategic movement advice so you feel your best
-Self-care practices part of a holistic therapeutic approach
-Journaling methods for targeted healing
Laugh with Tom and Rachael, who are in your very shoes, and enjoy recipes loaded with the seasonal, nutrient-rich foods your body craves. Their personal stories of successes, mistakes, and everything between (looking at you, tampon chronicle) will keep your spirits high as you empower yourself with specific and actionable diet and lifestyle modifications, learn how to collaborate effectively with doctors, and understand your cycle to relieve the worst of your symptoms.
September 28, 2023
I followed this couple on social media for a while and was interested to see what their recipes entailed. I read Whole 30 so I knew what they were referencing in the beginning. I was not looking for specific recipes, but different ways I can incorporate in my lifestyle if it seemed interesting, healthy, and simple. I enjoyed their cute stories and I was in awe how open they were about different things in such short vignettes. I enjoyed the accessible and easy to comprehend information about PCOS and the cycle, along with the science behind what the body is doing at each stage, with a list of food that supports each cycle.
Some main things I took away were to limit: alcohol, processed sugar, dairy (yogurt, milk, cheeses), gluten, soy, canola/ vegetable oils, caffeine/ coffee (switch to teas). Enjoy some vegetarian/ pescatarian, add healthy nuts, fats, and oils.
Some alternatives provided were: olive/ avocado oils, non-dairy milks with real ingredients/ check out for the added sugars, alcohol in moderation without the added sugars in mixed drinks, sugar substitutes like honey and other natural sweeteners.
They have an easy guide about which food to enjoy at each stage of the cycle that aids in digestion and increases energy.
Some criticisms:
- I like the recipes but I probably won't use them because they are too "American." Not in my staple diet
- When reading Whole 30 and this cookbook, I didn't want to have to follow every recipe, steps, or be glued to the cookbook everyday or stress over if I am following a correct plan. I wanted general ideas about small changes and mindsets that I can incorporate into my lifestyle. I do not want to be consumed about knowing exactly where I am in my cycle and what foods to prepared. What I took away was to eat more real, non processed foods like vegetables and meats and to stay away from things I am already staying away from.
- Some of the meals and recipes are not budget friendly and I wonder how someone who is struggling financially or with time can follow the recipes. For example, avocado and olive oil is much more expensive than regular vegetable oil.
Some main things I took away were to limit: alcohol, processed sugar, dairy (yogurt, milk, cheeses), gluten, soy, canola/ vegetable oils, caffeine/ coffee (switch to teas). Enjoy some vegetarian/ pescatarian, add healthy nuts, fats, and oils.
Some alternatives provided were: olive/ avocado oils, non-dairy milks with real ingredients/ check out for the added sugars, alcohol in moderation without the added sugars in mixed drinks, sugar substitutes like honey and other natural sweeteners.
They have an easy guide about which food to enjoy at each stage of the cycle that aids in digestion and increases energy.
Some criticisms:
- I like the recipes but I probably won't use them because they are too "American." Not in my staple diet
- When reading Whole 30 and this cookbook, I didn't want to have to follow every recipe, steps, or be glued to the cookbook everyday or stress over if I am following a correct plan. I wanted general ideas about small changes and mindsets that I can incorporate into my lifestyle. I do not want to be consumed about knowing exactly where I am in my cycle and what foods to prepared. What I took away was to eat more real, non processed foods like vegetables and meats and to stay away from things I am already staying away from.
- Some of the meals and recipes are not budget friendly and I wonder how someone who is struggling financially or with time can follow the recipes. For example, avocado and olive oil is much more expensive than regular vegetable oil.
Read
July 31, 2024This book was so helpful for me, helped with figuring out the right foods to eat and when although I had to cater it to my own dietary requirements. Although there could have defo been more variations in the ingredients used. But I am a massive salmon fan, yum.
https://greenwichuniversity.eu.qualtr...
And I’m currently doing my dissertation, on the link between Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and health. My project has been approved by the ethical committee of FEHHS Research Ethics Committee.
This is an online-based survey assessing the symptoms of PCOS you have and the severity of which they impact you, the diagnostic process and there will also be some more sensitive questions regarding your mental health and self-esteem, as well as relationships and support.
I am inviting everyone diagnosed with PCOS aged 18 and above to participate. There is no upper limit as people who have gone through menopause can continue to still experience PCOS symptoms. Please bear in mind the sensitive nature of the questions, should you wish to participate. Additionally, you will also have the option to withdraw your data up to two weeks after participating by emailing me with the Personal Pin Code you will create. Your participation is completely up to you.
If you wish to take part, you can do so by clicking on the link below.
https://greenwichuniversity.eu.qualtr...
https://greenwichuniversity.eu.qualtr...
And I’m currently doing my dissertation, on the link between Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and health. My project has been approved by the ethical committee of FEHHS Research Ethics Committee.
This is an online-based survey assessing the symptoms of PCOS you have and the severity of which they impact you, the diagnostic process and there will also be some more sensitive questions regarding your mental health and self-esteem, as well as relationships and support.
I am inviting everyone diagnosed with PCOS aged 18 and above to participate. There is no upper limit as people who have gone through menopause can continue to still experience PCOS symptoms. Please bear in mind the sensitive nature of the questions, should you wish to participate. Additionally, you will also have the option to withdraw your data up to two weeks after participating by emailing me with the Personal Pin Code you will create. Your participation is completely up to you.
If you wish to take part, you can do so by clicking on the link below.
https://greenwichuniversity.eu.qualtr...
March 22, 2023
I have been a fan of Tom and Rachel Sullivan for quite some time after seeing their story on GMA. I was so excited to read this book and it was fantastic! I loved the format which went back and forth between Rachel and Tom’s point of view, I also love that they engaged a medical doctor to discuss PCOS. While I do not have PCOS, I found the information to be very helpful and plan to use many of the suggestions in this book.
I also think it is wonderful to have the step by step process that Rachel used to help manage her PCOS and eventually become pregnant with her adorable daughter. Oftentimes when someone successfully manages a medical condition folks walk to know every step in detail for how they did it. This book does a fantastic job of laying our the types of questions to ask a doctor, practical changes Rachel made, and some great recipes, swaps, and helpful information for women’s cycles. It is a great read! Before I read the book I thought it was going to be primarily recipes but it is much more than that! I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley and DK Publishing for the digital advanced readers copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This book will be published April 18, 2023.
I also think it is wonderful to have the step by step process that Rachel used to help manage her PCOS and eventually become pregnant with her adorable daughter. Oftentimes when someone successfully manages a medical condition folks walk to know every step in detail for how they did it. This book does a fantastic job of laying our the types of questions to ask a doctor, practical changes Rachel made, and some great recipes, swaps, and helpful information for women’s cycles. It is a great read! Before I read the book I thought it was going to be primarily recipes but it is much more than that! I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to NetGalley and DK Publishing for the digital advanced readers copy! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This book will be published April 18, 2023.
December 30, 2024
On StoryGraph, I gave this a 4.5 since Goodreads does not have partial stars available.
Both Rachel and Tom's voices shine through in this book and share their knowledge on not just cooking but PCOS. I think this book is not only a good resource to understand PCOS but it also gives actual tangible steps through a (w)holistic approach from diet to vitamin and mineral supplementation to exercises.
I'm familiar with going gluten free as I had a theory that it was the cause of my irregular cycle and infertility, which I promptly figured out. I feel like I have been on the right track but the dairy free part of it is very daunting for me and this helped me see what I can do when I take it out of my diet soon.
The only issue I have is that some of the recipes feel a little less tangible for us since a lot of these recipes might cause a good amount of resistance and will probably end up making a separate portion that is dairy free and gluten free at times. Of course, I'll use this cookbook as a baseline to find recipes that might better work for my family until most of my picky eaters are less picky.
Both Rachel and Tom's voices shine through in this book and share their knowledge on not just cooking but PCOS. I think this book is not only a good resource to understand PCOS but it also gives actual tangible steps through a (w)holistic approach from diet to vitamin and mineral supplementation to exercises.
I'm familiar with going gluten free as I had a theory that it was the cause of my irregular cycle and infertility, which I promptly figured out. I feel like I have been on the right track but the dairy free part of it is very daunting for me and this helped me see what I can do when I take it out of my diet soon.
The only issue I have is that some of the recipes feel a little less tangible for us since a lot of these recipes might cause a good amount of resistance and will probably end up making a separate portion that is dairy free and gluten free at times. Of course, I'll use this cookbook as a baseline to find recipes that might better work for my family until most of my picky eaters are less picky.
March 14, 2023
This book was amazing. I am fans of Tom and Rachael Sullivan. I first found their page while they helped feed college students in their town. They would post about it and I thought it was so inspiring. Just to find some way to help out the community. Enter when I saw that they were publishing a book. I could not wait to read it! One thing to note is I do not have PCOS. So I will not be the best judge on if their solutions work for just anyone. However, I do feel like they did a great job of encourage people to figure out what works for their bodies. They gave very helpful tips. Some of these tips and recipes would benefit anyone. I look forward to trying some of the recipes soon! Also the structure of this book I felt like was very easy to follow. I hope that this will not be the last we see from them. They seem like a fantastic duo.
Read if:
you or someone you know has PCOS
Interested in learning more about PCOS
you love seeing a couple work together
Thank you Penguin Random House publishing for the ARC copy! All thoughts are my own!
Read if:
you or someone you know has PCOS
Interested in learning more about PCOS
you love seeing a couple work together
Thank you Penguin Random House publishing for the ARC copy! All thoughts are my own!
January 30, 2023
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was vaguely familiar with the Sullivan's and was pleasantly surprised to see this book.
The book covers the history of the couple the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis, and their fertility journey. The book includes a lot of information about PCOS and what a healthy menstrual cycle looks like. There's a brief acknowledgement that food isn't a substitute for medication when needed, but the focus of this book is food.
The book talks about the different stages of the menstrual cycle with recommendations of what to eat during each cycle. There's a lot of recipes in this book with some nice pictures. There's some modifications to recipes to account for a reduction in sugar and other foods, but there's also a lot of meat and shellfish so the recipes in this book aren't for everyone.
It's a nice book with some helpful information and some nice recipes.
I was vaguely familiar with the Sullivan's and was pleasantly surprised to see this book.
The book covers the history of the couple the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis, and their fertility journey. The book includes a lot of information about PCOS and what a healthy menstrual cycle looks like. There's a brief acknowledgement that food isn't a substitute for medication when needed, but the focus of this book is food.
The book talks about the different stages of the menstrual cycle with recommendations of what to eat during each cycle. There's a lot of recipes in this book with some nice pictures. There's some modifications to recipes to account for a reduction in sugar and other foods, but there's also a lot of meat and shellfish so the recipes in this book aren't for everyone.
It's a nice book with some helpful information and some nice recipes.
May 15, 2023
I have been recently diagnosed in February with PCOS. Although, I have basically known by the symptoms I have had it since 2018. This book makes me feel like I am not so alone, even though multiple people I know have been diagnosed as well. The diagnosis can be scary and especially since I have struggled with infertility this book makes you feel like you are not alone in the diagnosis. I loved everything about this.
I started googling recipes to help with PCOS after I was diagnosed and have lost a couple of pounds and feel my energy coming back a little bit day by day. I will say fish oil has also helped me along the way as well. (Just wanted to throw that in there.)
I can't wait to to try some of these recipes that go right along with whatever cycle stage you are going through. I am so excited for this new journey to finally find myself again.
Lots of love to all the PCOS warriors out there❤ With a little help from this book we got this!
I started googling recipes to help with PCOS after I was diagnosed and have lost a couple of pounds and feel my energy coming back a little bit day by day. I will say fish oil has also helped me along the way as well. (Just wanted to throw that in there.)
I can't wait to to try some of these recipes that go right along with whatever cycle stage you are going through. I am so excited for this new journey to finally find myself again.
Lots of love to all the PCOS warriors out there❤ With a little help from this book we got this!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews