About Elana

Elana Amsterdam is a pioneering activist in the wellness space, riding the cutting edge of healthy living advocacy for over 30 years. A New York Times best-selling cookbook author, cancer survivor, and health advocate, she is the founder of elanaspantry.com, a popular resource for healthy living.

Living with celiac disease and MS for decades, she spearheaded the paleo gluten-free movement from its earliest beginnings as a top spokesperson. When diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, she chose to “go flat” for her double mastectomy closure to avoid implants, becoming a powerful voice in the women’s health and rights movement. Elana is committed to helping medical industry professionals, patients, and the public understand that flat closure is a valid choice, not an exception.

Personal Statement

I am committed to transforming women’s healthcare by dialoging with professionals, patients, and the public to bring light to the biases in our culture that can act as barriers to health equity and ultimately, desired outcomes. I write and speak about how to overcome these challenges to create systemic change and I outline my experience to share the language of advocacy.

Current Board Memberships

Tulane School of Medicine
Member, Board of Governors
2020 – present

Not Putting on a Shirt
Member, Advisory Council
2022 – present

New York Times Best Selling Author

A New York Times best selling author, Elana’s perspective on health and the environment landed her on the cover of Paleo Magazine and inside the pages of:

• Fortune Magazine
• The Washington Post
• The Wall Street Journal

She has also appeared on numerous television networks including CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News.

In The News