Book excerpt: Millions of people say they feel better when they eat lectin-free. Here at last is the cookbook that makes lectin-free cooking fun and delicious! For people who take their health and well-being seriously, gut health is a top priority. Optimum gut health means more than just a well-working gastrointestinal tract. It means you have more energy, you simply feel better, and, not least, you're not gaining unwanted pounds. Among diets that address gut health, lectin-free is the fastest-growing, mainly because following it means your intestines absorb more nutrients and your gut is populated by fewer bad bacteria. Its many adherents range from people with specific disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (and other autoimmune disorders), and "leaky gut," to people who simply feel better without lectins. Easier weight loss or weight maintenance is an added benefit! Claudia Curici is the talented writer and photographer behind the pioneering lectin-free blog Creative in My Kitchen. The 125 nourishing and imaginative recipes she has created for this book are all sugar-, grain-, and lectin-free, and they are delectable and easy to make. Many are dinnertime main courses, from Chicken Coconut Soup with Shiitakes and One Beef Kebab Platter to vegetarian options like Cauliflower Gratin with Pecans and Healing Vegetable Soup with Kale and Broccoli. There are lectin-free superfood smoothies, too, among other drinks and snacks, along with soups, salads, sides, and even desserts, including an opulent but easy Lectin-Free Chocolate Strawberry Birthday Cake. Nourish and protect your gut with these diverse and delightful dishes!