The Un-Constipated Gourmet

June 29, 2009
Diners of all stripes and evacuation schedules will find Svetcov's lighthearted collection of 125 colon-cleansing dishes informative and effective. The usual suspects (coffee, bran muffins, black bean and corn salad) are on display, but even veteran commode commandos will be surprised at some of Svetcov's suggestions, including flourless chocolate cake with raspberries, bourbon truffles (she insists that chocolate has laxative properties) and yogurt smoothies that get a boost of fiber from supplements and fresh fruit. Virtually all her dishes are flavorful and simple--wheat germ, flax meal and whole wheat pastry flour are about as outré as she gets-and the emphasis is on flavor rather than fiber content (to that end, Svetcov rates her recipes on a 10-point scale, ten being a dish best consumed within sprinting distance of a restroom). A collection of emergency heavy hitters includes jump-starters like prunes with warm brandy. Conversely, those who might have overdone it will appreciate Svetcov's recommendations for slowing things down, such as baked potato with olive oil or matzo pancakes.