My wife has eczema and I got this book to see if it could help. I ended up understanding a lot more about eczema itself and my and I both ended up with plates (and glasses) full of yummy things.

I thought this was a pretty good book as far as the recipes go. Since eczema is a disease that causes inflammation these anti-inflammatory foods can definitely help and an elimination diet can help you determine which foods cause flare ups. As far as information on eczema I didn't feel like I got much in that area, which is to be expected since this is a cookbook, but I felt disappointed to be not be included as well. Just because the majority of eczema cases are children and most resolve by the time they are 5 doesn't mean it is always the case. I didn't have eczema until I was 19 and I am still trying to figure out what causes my flare ups, although I know a few culprits (peanuts, cashews, dairy, gluten, and extreme weather temperatures). I appreciate the efforts of the book, but it fell a little flat for me outside of the recipes.

Finally, an eczema handbook that makes me feel understood! Christa Biegler has done a wonderful job with her cookbook, but it is so much more than that.

Ziegler paints the picture of eczema and how complicated it truly is - what may cause flares, what may help, why people are affected, and how little is known. She does not suggest steroids nor extreme, unrealistic food limitations; she finds an incredible middle ground AND provides a menu plan with recipes.

I am so thankful to have found this resource! I devoured it in one sitting and am excited to implement Biegler’s recommendations. I so appreciate that the author provides scientific evidence, a list of beneficial and harmful foods, and then a weekly meal plan with recipes! It’s all right there. I would highly recommend this to any struggling with eczema or any one with loved ones that suffer from this difficult condition. I feel seen and understood.

A huge thank you NetGalley and Callisto Media for the digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

My daughter has severe eczema flareups when exposed to dairy. The waffles she normally loved were put on the not safe list, so I had to find a recipe that would work for her. The Fluffy Waffles in this book did the trick, and she said they taste better than the ones we used to buy. My husband enjoyed the sheet pan fajitas, as did I, and we look forward to rotating recipes in this to our menu plan!

Eczema Relief Diet & Cookbook is a new specialty cookbook and recipe collection by Christa Biegler. Due out 14th April 2020 from Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 216 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats (ebook available now). It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

The book follows a logical and easy format. The first three chapters cover the background of ingredient selection, what eczema is, what the diet entails and some general quick-start weekly meal plans. The author also includes some logical pointers, ingredients, and supplies. The recipe chapters are arranged thematically: breakfasts and beverages, soups salads and sides, vegan and vegetarian, meat and fish, desserts, and staples and ingredient recipes. Nutritional information is included in the footer at the end of the recipes and includes calories, fat, sugars, carbohydrates. Some special dietary information is included (gluten-free, nut-free, dairy, vegetarian,etc).

The recipes have their ingredients listed bullet style in a sidebar. Measurements are given in US standard only. Special tools and ingredients are also listed, along with yields and cooking directions. Most of the ingredients are easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store. The book also includes a short author bio, and a metric conversion chart, but lacks any index or general ingredients index. Each of the recipes includes observations as well as tips and substitutions in highlighted sidebars.

My main quibble with the book is that the recipes are mostly not photographed. There are some photos, and they're clear and attractive, but they only represent about 5% of the recipes included in the book. It is, however, a very well written book for a niche (and previously largely ignored) group in the autoimmune community.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.