Must Read Diet and Nutrition Books

Cholesterol Cures: More than 325 Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol and Live Longer, From Almonds and Chocolate to Garlic and Wine by the Editors of Prevention Health Books Medical Advisor: William P. Castelli, MD. I have high cholesterol. Have for many years. At this point in my life, I have high good cholesterol HDL, and low bad cholesterol LDL. When I first learned about my high cholesterol, I was applying for life insurance and they were going to charge me a higher premium because of it. But if I could lower it they would give me a normal rate.

So, I went to the bookstore and found this book. It said that you could cut cholesterol 30 points in 30 days by following the menu plan. So, I tried it. After the 30 days I re-tested, and it totally worked! That was back in 2002. And to this day, I still use the menu plan on occasion. Plus, I use the loads of information that I learned in the book on a daily basis, which inspired my Orange Blueberry Dried Fruit Compote Recipe and post. There also seems to be an updated version Cholesterol Cures from 2017.

The Blood Sugar Balancing Handbook: Simple Recipes, Proven Methods, and Practical Strategies for Improving Glucose Levels for Non-Diabetics  by Autumn Enloe, MS, RD, LD.  is all about is focused on preventative health and geared towards non-diabetics, but it’ll benefit pre-diabetes and diabetics as well. Check out my full review and recipe for Cottage Cheese Everything but the Bagel Dip. 

The Sugar Solution: Balance Your Blood Sugar Naturally to Avoid Disease, Lose Weight, Gain Energy, and Feel Great will help you balance your blood sugar naturally and avoid disease, lose weight, gain energy, and feel great. This book will guide you to foods that help keep your blood sugar on an even keel with a 4 week diet that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, including over 100 recipes. There are even tips to get yourself moving and tranquility breaks. There are several versions of this book available on Amazon. The Sugar Solution edition that I read. The Sugar Solution expanded edition featuring the Glycemic Index for Optimal Blood Sugar Control. A 2006 edition authored by Ann Fittante. And there’s even a Sugar Solution Cookbook with more than 200 recipes.

Food Matters: a Guide to Conscious Eating by Mark Bittman. This book is about a simple lifestyle choice to help you lose weight, reduce your risk of many diseases, save you money, and help stop climate change (which at the time the book was written it was called global warming). It’s another one that I read many years ago and need to pick up and read again. Includes recipes. Maybe I need to go back and make a recipe from the book and share it here.

Skinny B!tch: a no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating cr@p and start looking fabulous! by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. An unfortunate name for a great book. Now, I will say that my goal in life is not to be thin, it’s to be healthy, but this book helps you with those ideas, just framing them in a way to appeal to people who want to be thin. It’s focused on losing weight through vegan plant-based eating. This book isn’t a diet, it’s teaching you a way of life so you can make intelligent decisions for yourself. And though it’s been many years since I read it at this point, I still remember and incorporate many of the ideas into my life. There are no recipes in this book, but there are menu plans and food suggestions.

Mostly Plant Based: 100 Delicious Plant-forward Recipes using 10 ingredients or less by Mia Syn, MS, RDN. This book has great recipes plus a 21-day meal plan. Her inspiration is Michael Pollan, so you know I love this book. It’s for people who don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen but want to eat in a way that supports your health and makes you feel good. Check out my full review and recipe for Salmon Bowl.

The MIND Diet: 2nd Edition: A Scientific Approach to Enhancing Brain Function and Helping Prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia, Fully Updated with New … Tips and Tools Based on the Latest Research by Maggie Moon MS RD. This book was a really great read, easy to understand, easy to implement, and a good way to take positive action. I like that the book is evidence based and a reliable resource to make a positive and long-lasting change our health. It’s all about reducing the risk of developing brain related ailments like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Check out my full review and recipe for Beet Berries Barley Salad.

The Create-Your Plate Diabetes Cookbook: A Plate Method Approach to Simple, Complete Meals by Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND. This one’s all about ways to plan nutritionally rich and healthy meals without any counting, measuring, tracking, or calculations. The book is chock-full of information so you can better understand diabetes, and healthful eating. I love that the book has wonderfully helpful charts, listing common nonstarchy vegetables; a chart for plant-based protein options, arranged in order of the carb content in one serving of the food; good seafood options; better-for you starchy vegetable options; and legumes and pulse (beans) options. Check out my full review and 4 Layer Stuffed Avocados recipe. I’d really like to go back and read this book, as I remember it having a ton of great information. Unfortunately for me, I gave it away so I’ll have to buy a new copy.

The Clean & Simple Diabetes Cookbook: Flavorful, Fuss-Free Recipes for Everyday Meal Planning by Jackie Newgent RDN CDN. A great straightforward beginner book for anyone who wants to manage or reduce their risk for diabetes. The beginning of the book is chock-full of helpful information about diabetes, which I found really helpful. Check out my full review and recipe for Buffalo Chickpeas.

The Glucose Goddess Method: The 4-Week Guide to Cutting Cravings, Getting Your Energy Back, and Feeling Amazing by Jessie Inchauspé. I’m currently reading this book, and about halfway through. It’s an easy read with lots of super simple recipes. 4 hacks that she has you take one, one week at a time. Easy to do hacks too. Apparently, this book is a follow up to Glucose Revolution, a book that I didn’t read, so I’m doing this out of order. I think I’d like to go back and read the first book, as this book seems to be more of an action plan rather than a detailed look at glucose. That being said, it’s really easy to incorporate these things into your life.