The story of this cookbook begins 15 years ago, when my husband – then 18 – discovered that his triglycerides were 10 times what is considered “normal levels.” Since that time, we have tried every cholesterol medicine and every diet imaginable to try and temper his symptoms. It wasn’t until his 13th bout with pancreatitis that I finally decided to take matters into my own hands. As I was extensively doing research online, I discovered a condition called Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome – a very rare hereditary condition where individuals lack properly functioning lipoprotein lipase (LPL). In other words, because this condition requires patients consume as little fat as possible, my husband could not eat more than 10 grams of fat a day if he wanted to minimize his daily symptoms. I had to find a way to recreate all of his favorite recipes with less fat, just as much flavor, and on a one-income family budget. A tall task in today’s food-crazed society, but I was up for the challenge.

Over the course of the next year, I spent countless hours researching, finding ways to get creative and perfect each recipe with the necessary modifications and ingredient substitutes. What I found was flavor is the key to making something low fat yummy. And in many instances, the fat was simply not needed. Each of these recipes is taste-tested and approved by my husband and our three daughters. And ultimately, it provides him the sense of control he needs to resist the temptation “easy” foods can often create. He knows that when he’s home, he can freely eat what he loves and leave his condition at the door. Each of these recipes is a true labor of love, and we hope it provides that same sense of comfort for you and your loved ones that it’s afforded my husband and our family.

Sincerely,

Naomi Hastings

Julie Bolick, MS, RDN, LDN, CLS, FNLA

Tara Condell, MS, RDN, CDN

Brenda Allison Fay, RDN

Mary Felando, MS, RD

Naomi Hastings

Deborah Krivitsky, MS, RD, LDN

Kristin Neusel, MS RD LD CDE

Juliet O’Connor, MS, RD, LDN, CDE

Heather Rasmussen, PhD, RDN, LDN

Kathy Rhodes, PhD, RD

Ann Sims, RD, LD, CLS, CDE