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

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