The 10 Best Books on Nutrition

Are you trying to reach a health goal or learn about eating well? Then you’ll want to take a look at ten of the best books on nutrition we’re sharing below. 

We’ve curated this list to include books that help you feel good about what you eat. So you can feel confident you’ll choose a read that nourishes your spirit, not just your body!

1. Eat to Beat Disease by William W. Li, MD

We bet we can guess two things about you; you want to live a long, healthy life and you don’t like being told what you can’t do. If this sounds like you, you’re going to want to pick up a copy of Dr. Li’s Book. Eat to Beat Disease is all about adding health-promoting foods—like plums, jasmine tea, and olive oil—to your diet, rather than taking foods away. Readers are especially loving the flexibility of Li’s approach.

2. Glucose Revolution: The Life-Changing Power of Balancing Your Blood Sugar by Jessie Inchauspé

You may not currently be aware of how much your blood sugar controls, but after reading Inchauspé’s book, you’ll see its influence everywhere. Turns out nearly any pesky health problem you can think of, including imbalanced hormones, fatigue, acne, and more can be a symptom of a blood sugar imbalance. Luckily, Glucose Revolution paves the way for you to get your blood sugar back on track, regardless of your dietary preference. 

3. This Is Your Brain on Food by Uma Naidoo, MD

Believe it or not, researchers didn’t start seriously exploring the impact of diet on mental health until the seventies. Even today, it may not be the first thing you think about when tackling a mental health challenge. Yet Dr. Naidoo maintains that what we eat can be fundamental to treating anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and more. Not only is this a fascinating read, but you’re getting insight into the mind of a true professional; Naidoo is a psychiatrist, nutrition specialist, and trained chef. 

4. The Complete Ketogenic Diet for Beginners: Your Essential Guide to Living the Keto Lifestyle by Amy Ramos and Amanda C Hughes 

Contrary to the spoofs you see on social media, the keto diet isn’t about eating sticks of butter. It can feature tons of healthy fats like salmon, avocado, and eggs. This handy reference book has everything you need to get started with the diet, including meal plans and recipes. Lots of folks say it’s the perfect read for keto beginners. 

5. Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition by Lily Nichols, RDN, CDE

If you’re expecting a little one, you know a magnifying glass gets turned on your diet. What you eat while pregnant can feel high stakes! Add to this the slurry of outdated nutrition advice that gets heaped on expecting mothers, and things can get overwhelming fast. 

Thankfully, Nichols is here to take your hand and guide you toward what really matters: real food that keeps you and your baby happy and thriving. Readers especially love Nichols’ positive and practical tone. 

6. The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Beginners: A No-Stress Meal Plan with Easy Recipes to Heal the Immune System by Dorothy Calimeris and LuLu Cook RDN

There are a lot of nutrition books that tackle inflammation, which makes sense since it’s a leading contributor to chronic health issues. But few address it as well (or as simply) as The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Beginners. Packed with recipes, coaching, and easy meal plans, it’s the kind of nutrition book you keep within reach on your kitchen counter. 

7.Women, Food, and Hormones by Sara Gottfried, MD

Frustratingly, many health studies are done with only men in mind, which can lead women to follow diet plans not formulated for their bodies. That’s not fair, and Sara Gottfried is here to change it. In Women, Food and Hormones she shares a keto diet plan that’s designed to work with women’s hormones, not against them. You can expect a no-nonsense approach and tons of great recipes in this nutrition book readers say they’ve “been waiting for.”

8. Deep Nutrition by Catherine Shanahan 

Confused by all the conflicting nutrition advice out there? Here’s a simple way to cut through the noise: just cook like your great grandmother used to. That’s more or less the premise of Shanahan’s hit book, Deep Nutrition, which explores the foods that have sustained folks and helped them thrive for centuries. In this super-readable tome, she walks you through the benefits of bone broths, yogurts made from raw milk, and other foods you won’t find in your local convenience food store

9. Genius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life by Max Lugavere and Paul Grewal, MD 

Here’s a good read if you want to ensure your brain’s health for the long haul. Max Lugavere spent almost a decade researching what it means to eat in a way that protects your cognition, and he put it all into this entertaining and informative read. Readers are saying it gave them a new perspective and is easy to follow, too. 

10. Intuitive Eating, Fourth Edition by RDN Evelyn Tribole, MS and RDN Elyse Resch, MS

Not interested in following any type of diet? You may want to pick up this well-loved guide on intuitive eating, now in its fourth edition. The authors, experts in the fields of nutrition and eating disorders, show you how to make peace with your food choices, love your body, and avoid falling victim to diet culture. Some readers are calling this book “life-changing.” 

Factors to keep in mind when choosing a nutrition book 

The world of nutrition is constantly changing (and often contradicting itself!) as new research emerges. So how do you choose a nutrition book that will steer you in the right direction? Here are a few tips: 

• Look for something evidence-based. Eating well is a science, not a fad! Eschew anything trendy and opt for advice backed by research. 

• Always get the most updated version of the book. Even research-backed information changes over time as we learn more and develop new studies. So make sure if your nutrition book has multiple volumes, you’re choosing the latest one. 

• Choose something balanced and practical. Extreme nutrition advice can sound exciting when you read it, but you want something that will fit into your real life. Most folks will benefit from books that preach moderation rather than those that use “always” and “never” rules. 

• Check the author’s credentials. While doctors and registered dietitians are natural choices to write nutrition books, some authors don’t have either of those certifications. Does that mean their books are bogus? Not necessarily, but it’s your job to do research into their credentials and decide if you want to take nutrition advice from them. 

What is the most reliable nutrition information? 

Like many of life’s questions, this one has no single answer. It’s easy to find two very educated and qualified individuals (or organizations) giving utterly contradictory nutrition advice. This is where you get to be the judge. 

Start by looking into the research on any nutrition philosophy you’re evaluating. From there, you can try spending a few months following that philosophy and seeing how your body feels. (This is also a good time to check in with your doctor for tests, if necessary!) 

When in doubt, know that nearly every nutrition book out there espouses eating fresh, whole, and (when possible) local foods. 

Final thoughts

Figuring out how to eat can feel confusing, but we hope one of these books can provide the guidance you’re searching for. 

If you’re a nutrition professional who has your own philosophy to share, have you considered publishing a book on the topic? At selfpublishing.com, we guide you through publishing your own book from start to finish–without the red tape of the traditional publishing industry. Book a free call to get started.