28. Living with Ulcerative Colitis: Danielle Walker's Story of Health, Recovery and Advocacy

Take Back Your Health

Becoming your fiercest advocate is your most vital tool when faced with serious health concerns. This week, I’m joined by Danielle Walker, a New York Times bestselling author whose newest cookbook, Make It Easy, is set to release on Sept. 10. We sat down to discuss her nearly 20-year journey with ulcerative colitis, how following a paleo, gluten-free, and grain-free diet has helped cushion symptoms, and her relatable advice for parents struggling to introduce their kids to healthy eating.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The Importance of Being Your Own Health Advocate: Learn to trust your feelings and push back if you want additional testing done or clarity on a proposed treatment.
• How Elimination Diets Can Bring Relief: For Walker, eliminating high-inflammatory foods like dairy, grains, and legumes served as an effective way to manage her symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
• How to Cook for Your Family When You Have Dietary Restrictions: Walker swears by making crowd-pleasing recipes that are better-for-you versions of classic comfort foods.
• How to Build a Healthy Foundation for Kids: Show your children how delicious healthy eating can be, without villainizing their favorite foods.

02:27 Danielle's Health Journey: From Diagnosis to Advocacy

09:32 The Role of Diet in Managing Autoimmune Diseases

18:04 Navigating Dietary Changes and Family Support

29:45 Parenting and Healthy Eating Foundations

30:19 Navigating Food Choices and Sensitivities

31:00 The Importance of Early Dietary Decisions

32:42 Personal Experiences with Paleo Diet

36:57 Favorite Family Recipes

38:44 New Cookbook: Make It Easy

45:53 Tips for Parents on Healthy Eating

Connect with Dr. Myers:

Website: https://www.amymyersmd.com/

Newsletter: https://www.amymyersmd.com/ec/guide-to-leaky-gut

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyMyersMD

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymyersmd/

Connect with Danielle Walker:

Website: https://daniellewalker.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellewalker/

Substack: https://daniellewalker.substack.com/

New cookbook: Make It Easy