30 Best Nutrition Books (To Read in 2024)

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Did you know that one key ingredient of self-respect is what you put in your body, what you eat? 

However, in a world where a quarter of the population is overweight, we tend to overlook nutrition as a self-respect and well-being tool. 

Your body is a community of (approximately) 37 trillion cells. As in any other community, your cells communicate to each other, influence one another, and together create an environment where each cell can thrive or the opposite, suffers. 

The nutrition you provide for your body, your cells, is more important than your genes. What you eat is determining the quality of the environment where your cells live and ultimately your health, happiness, and well-being. 

Discover in this article, 34 of the best nutrition book and find out how you can improve, change or adjust the way you eat so that you can achieve an optimum environment for your cells. 

You’ll not find in this list weight loss books because proper nutrition gives you much more than fitting into your jeans. (Increases your brain power, for example.) 

When you respect yourself enough to eat right for your body that means you are taking into consideration all aspects of being healthy and happy. 

If you feel you’re on “the confusion” diet, read one or more of the following books and discover what’s the right nutrition for you.

What is the confusion diet? The basis of this diet is “fits all approach”. 

The truth and the matter is that no diet can fit all of us. The proper diet for you is based on your location, profession, and job, personal limitations and requirements, subjective likes and dislikes, age, and culture. 

For example, someone living in the mountains (high altitudes) can’t stay healthy on a lower altitudes diet, and the other way around.

The confusion diet doesn’t SEE you. It gives you universal advice that (most often than not) is detrimental to your health and well-being. 

We must wake up and step out of this diet because it’s the leading cause of the most spread illness of the 21st century. That illness is the fear of feeling hungry.

Do you drink water to prevent ever feeling thirsty? Do you laze in bed at any hour of the day just because you feel sleepy?

Most probably you don’t. Then, why should you avoid (at any cost) feeling hungry a few times a day? 

When you respect your body by feeding it the proper nourishment, you welcome feeling hungry as much as you welcome feeling satisfied.

It’s the natural cycle of your body; you eat, feel satisfied, and then, gradually feel hungry. (Three meals a day whit hunger in between.)

But the confusion diet has erased from the equation this part of the cycle – allowing yourself to feel hungry. 

If you need a barometer to know if you achieved giving your body what it needs, that barometer is your hunger. 

You might be surprised to discover how many things is telling you what kind of hunger you experience: 

Tormenting hunger – the never-ending debate with yourself (“Should I, shouldn’t I?”) that’s stretching your willpower to the maximum, questioning your self-discipline and mental toughness. 

Peaceful hunger – you simply notice you feel hungry and then get back on living until it’s the right time for your next meal. 

Silent hunger – you forget about yourself (that you exist) until you feel you’ll pass out if you don’t eat something. Silent hunger is almost as bad as tormenting hunger; both have the same result – eating chaos, not proper food. 

We asked 17 experts, “What are the best nutrition books to read this year?”

Get inspired by the following books and give your body the nourishment that leads to health, happiness, and satisfaction followed by peaceful hunger.

The most recommended nutrition book is Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual by Michael Pollan.

Table of Contents

Shawn Wells, MPH, LDN, RD, FISSN, CISSN

Shawn Wells

Certified Sports Nutritionist | Registered Dietitian | Formulator | Subject Matter Expert | Author | Speaker

Look, nothing is hotter right now than the ketogenic diet and for good reason with all of the great results people are having and the mounting scientific data, it’s hard to deny that it works very well for certain people.

If you’re going to do it, a simple guide with a worksheet, workouts, meal plans, shopping tips, and amazing recipes are all laid out here.

Rachel Gregory never talks over your head or scolds you. She makes it simple, easy to understand and fun, in a way that works and has scientific validity. What’s not to like?

Dr. Mark Hymen is a rock star in functional medicine and know how to simplify things to be easily understood and (pun intended) digested.

This book is a bible of what foods can accelerate or shut down our journey to optimized health.

Dr. Daniel Amen is a luminary in brain health and the leading expert with diet and supplements you need to keep your mind healthy and sharp.

This book tells you everything you need to stay focused and get the most out of your day through your diet regimen.

Bethany Merillat, MS, MEd

Bethany Merillat

Health Research Psychologist

I would highly recommend both Run Fast Eat Slow, and the newly released sequel, Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow.

These are both outstanding books because they tackle the problem of nutrition from a holistic, non-diet stance.

Instead of counting calories (which, by the way, you will find no calorie counts in the books as they are intentionally left out), the authors, nutritional coach Elyse Kopecky and elite runner, Shalane Flanagan, focus on fueling your body with whole, natural foods.

They combine insight from their own personal experiences, with research and testimonials from people who have thrived after re-framing they way they eat in light of the topics discussed in the books.

These are not just cookbooks, they are a motivational tool to help you learn how to have a healthier relationship with food, eat delicious and nutritious meals, and fuel your body for whatever activity you want to participate in.

Marisa Michael, MSc, RDN, LD

Marisa Michael

Sports Dietitian

As a registered dietitian, I have read far too many popular diet and nutrition books that claim to be backed by science, but instead are chock-full of misinformation, pseudoscience, and sensationalized nutrition. 

Intuitive Eating sets itself apart as a holistic approach to your relationship with food and your body.

Its gentle style of nutrition is wholly void of fad diets and the sometimes preachy style of many popular diet books.

Instead, it teaches the reader how to tap into hunger and fullness cues, free oneself of restrictive dieting, and develop a way of thinking about food that dismisses guilt and shame.

Literally life-changing for many people, this book is well worth the read.

Laura Morton, MS, RD, LDN

Laura Morton

Private Practice Dietitian

This book is unlike most nutrition books in that it isn’t written with the intention of persuading or confusing the reader into believing that there is one single, specific way to eat that is better than all the rest.

Rather, it provides the reader with information that is straightforward and far from overwhelming that they can put into practice immediately. Though the title includes the word “pregnancy”, the advice in the book applies to anyone looking for gentle guidance to healthier eating.

(Bonus: it is the most well-researched/cited and unbiased nutrition book I’ve read in a LONG time).

Summer Yule, MS, RDN

Summer Yule

Registered Dietitian

This book takes readers through the history of vitamins, starting with their discovery as a cure for deficiencies, and leading up to the thriving supplement industry that exists today.

I think this book will interest those who generally eat a varied diet of nutrient-rich foods but have been wondering if a supplement might add additional benefits.

Those who are interested in learning more about the history of nutritional science may enjoy this book as well.

Stephanie Simms Hodges, MS, MPH, RDN

Stephanie Simms Hodges

Registered Dietitian | Founder, The Nourished Principles

One of the best nutrition books that I have read is Joy Bauer’s recently released book Joy’s Simple Food Remedies: Tasty Cures for Whatever’s Ailing You.

The book, written by the Today Show’s Registered Dietitian, Joy Bauer, outlines 20 common ailments and offers nutrition suggestions to help with these ailments.

She provides recipes and information based on science, which I think really makes this stand out as one of the best nutrition books!

Lisa Swanson

Lisa Swanson

ACE Certified Health Coach | Personal Trainer | PN Level 1 Nutritionist | Orthopedic Exercise Specialist

When I was first transitioning to a vegan diet it was honestly more about the animals, but as a nutritionist, I needed to learn more about the facts and The China Study fit the bill. 

As one of the biggest nutrition studies ever conducted, there is a wealth of information in this book all backed by science.

If you’re looking for a nutrition book that breaks down into detail how many calories, protein, carbs, and fats to eat for building muscle or losing body fat, then this is the book for you. 

This is definitely for someone who is ready to plan out his or her meals around their workouts and enjoys getting into the math to design a plan.

I love this book for straightforward, easy to understand information on understanding how to go about eating healthfully for permanent weight loss.

Dr. Joe Klemczewski is great at delivering this information in a way that keeps it simple.

Jill Nussinow, MS, RDN

Jill Nussinow

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

This book lays out information in an easy-to-read format for how to keep yourself healthy by improving your eating. Includes recipes that make it even easier to do.

Not written by a Registered Dietitian but has so much great information for getting people to think about nutrition in a holistic way.

One of the most well-researched books on eating a more plant-based diet by two Registered Dietitians.

They will set you on the best path and give you information on how to stay there if that’s your choice.

Caleb Backe

caleb-backe

Health & Wellness Expert, Maple Holistics

If you’re ready to look better, feel better, and heal the planet at the same time, then you’re ready for this book.

The author has already helped thousands of people to prevent and even reverse heart disease. As it turns out, a lot of other diseases and health issues can be cured by changing your diet. You can find out exactly how by reading this book.

This book focuses on the holistic approach to nutrition and diet. It helps you choose what diet is right for you and your body. It’s perfect for anyone frustrated or confused by all the diets out there.

There are some things we have control over and some things we don’t, one of those being our genes.

The author of this book explains how to turn our genes on and off to reverse or even prevent common diseases and illnesses. The only thing you need to do is change your diet.

David Ambrogio

Consultant, All Inclusive Health

Fuhrman’s nutrient-packed, healthful approach to nutrition combined with quick weight loss can be best understood by this equation, health=nutrients intake/calories intake. The more nutrient-heavy the intake, the less caloric and more healthy it is.

Encouraging, engaging personal stories from Fuhrman’s treatment of over more than 10,000 patients supports his theory that eating ever-larger portions of healthful, high-nutrient foods decreases desire for low-nutrient foods, loosening their addictive hold on people.

A great book for the health conscious. 

Related: Best Books for Overcoming Food Addiction

Jessica Gury

Jess Gury

Co-founder & CEO, Teuko

Why it’s great: Very straightforward, easy and enjoyable rules to read. Michael Pollan, the acclaimed food writer put under the spotlights with his Netflix documentary Cooked, lets us remember that eating doesn’t have to be so complicated!

Why it’s great: Maya Adam is a doctor lecturing at the Stanford University School of Medecine, giving inspiring free online Coursera courses about nutrition, and, in this book, she provides practical foodie tips, exploring the many facets of healthy eating for families around the world.

Steve Washuta

Steve Washuta

Certified Personal Trainer

M.D. Jason Fung has made understanding weight gain simple, but by telling you everything you know is wrong.

He breaks weight gain down into three major categories: Hormonal, Metabolic, and Caloric, and describes in depth how these components work.

He shows in-depth research and how nutrition coupled with his 3 areas of concern, can be controlled to fix weight and weight-related health issues. His understanding and breakdown of nutrition and the body are perfectly simple, and a scientific solution.

Justin and Erica Sonnenburg (Stanford University’s finest) show us an in depth look of the study of the relationship between the micro organisms in our bodies and the physiological role they play in manipulating our health.

They present a well thought out and scientifically based thesis of nutrition, and why changes to diet, antibiotic over-use, and many other modern food related imprints have caused our gut microbiota to change in negative ways.

From food allergies to depression, they make the case of the connection and what we can do to stop this through nutrition.

Giana Tiger

Giana Tiger

Stock-trader | Entrepreneur | Gymnast

This is the most comprehensive and well-researched book I’ve read on the brain and preventing .

The author covers nutrition, exercise, brain training, and other pointers to improve our command center.

Masleyalso was not selling products.The book was focused on educating the audience and the value of keeping our brain sharp.

Although scientific, the author presents information in simple terms and has a fantastic writing style.

While had no weight to lose and had tried many other things before I stumbled on this and I am glad to have found this book. 

It is not a trendy diet, but a life-changing way of eating. I had an abscess that was not healing even after multiple rounds of antibiotics, but now it is gone. My body is healing itself.

If you are looking to really heal your body, take control of medical complications, manage or reverse chronic health conditions, this is a great book.

Autumn Boyle

Autumn Boyle

Founder, Lectin Free Mama

This is the best nutrition book of all time.

The Plant Paradox is the first nutrition book I’ve read that theorizes *exactly* what triggers autoimmunity in the body.

Many anti-inflammatory and autoimmune type diets are on the right track–the Plant Paradox hits the nail on the head.

The book outlines a nutritional approach to healing, based on a well-supported theory that specific dietary proteins are capable of tricking the immune system into attacking the body’s own healthy tissue.

Simply eliminating these proteins from the diet has helped not only me, but thousands of my readers achieve remission from autoimmune and chronic health conditions.

Shawn Strickland

Shawn Strickland

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist | Certified Personal Trainer

How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy by Paul Chek could be one of the best books on health ever written.

Paul is able to take complex concepts and bring them down to a level that at many times seems overly simplistic. Don’t be fooled by the simple and practical steps that are presented in this book as they are the foundation of health that many people in today’s society poorly need.

What if we had a time machine and could go back in time to before our health was such a pressing concern?

Well we may not have a time machine but we had a man that was well before his time in Weston A. Price.

Price was a well respected dentist from Cleveland Ohio and in the 1920-30’s he saw an increasing about of dental issues in children coming to see him.

Price set out in search for the reason why and it lead him on a journey around the world to research many of the last remaining aboriginal people. People not consuming or effected by process food.

What he found was amazing, to say the least, and that is why this book is a must-read for any person working in the health and nutrition field.

Mat Nastos

Mat Nastos

Cancer Survivor | Health Enthusiast | Blogger

Dr. Shanahan uses the book to take a hard look at modern eating habits and processed foods, and how they are damaging us.

It’s a great studio on how the body works and the dangers of a lot of things we take for granted. The reading can be a bit dense in places, but it’s an amazing book.

This is a lighter read than the above, but it provides an excellent guide to the issues with different fad diets, how to choose healthy alternatives and the problems of a carb-heavy diet. This one is written for the general public.

Lucio Buffalmano

Lucio Buffalmano

Life Coach | Founder ,ThePowerMoves

The big pro of this book is its groundbreaking simplicity.

Food Rules embraces no single diet and doesn’t ban any food or class of food. It gives readers instead a few simple guidelines which you can start applying right off the bat on your way to a healthier life.

I thought I was being health conscious by reading the labels and choosing my food accordingly. This book opened my eye by telling me that labels are bad news in general.

Why?

Because labels mean “processed food”. And we should consume more whole food, which comes without labels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are nutrition books only suitable for people with health problems?

No, nutrition books are not only for people with health problems. They are for anyone who wants to improve their health and well-being through the food they eat. Suppose you wish to lose weight, boost your energy, or eat healthier. In that case, a good nutrition book can provide the information and guidance you need to achieve your goals.

Are nutrition books only for adults?

No, nutrition books can be appropriate for people of all ages, including children and teens. Some books may be specifically geared toward different age groups and include information about the unique nutritional needs of those groups. Choosing a book appropriate for your age and stage of life is important to ensure that the information is relevant and useful to you.

Can nutrition books help with food allergies and intolerances?

Yes, some nutrition books specifically address food allergies and intolerances and include information on managing these conditions through diet. These books can be a valuable resource for people who need to avoid certain foods for health reasons. They can help you make conscious food choices that meet your nutritional needs while addressing your health concerns.

What is the best way to use a nutrition book?

The best way to use a nutrition book is to read it carefully and take notes on the most important information. You can also try incorporating healthy eating tips and recommendations into your daily life and track your progress over time. Remember that everyone has different nutritional needs. Therefore, before you make any significant changes to your diet, consult a doctor.

Are there any nutrition books that are suitable for beginners?

Many nutrition books are suitable for beginners, regardless of their prior knowledge of nutrition and healthy eating. These books often provide a straightforward and accessible introduction to the basics of nutrition. They can be a great starting point for people who are new to the topic. Look for books with clear explanations, helpful illustrations, and easy-to-follow advice to get the most out of your reading.

How often should I update my nutrition knowledge with new books?

The field of nutrition is constantly evolving, with new research and information being published all the time. It is a good idea to regularly check for new books and updated editions of existing books to stay informed about the latest developments in the field. However, you do not need to update your knowledge regularly with new books, as many basic principles of healthy eating remain the same over time. Focus on finding reliable, evidence-based sources of information and use them as a foundation for your understanding of nutrition.

Can nutrition books help with meal preparation and food storage?

Yes, some nutrition books contain information and tips on meal preparation and food storage and can help you save time in the kitchen and reduce waste. These books often include advice on planning meals in advance, preparing food in bulk, and storing ingredients effectively to minimize waste. By incorporating these principles into your meal planning, you can streamline your meal preparation and make healthy eating a convenient and manageable part of your daily routine.

Can nutrition books help with portion control and mindful eating?

Yes, many nutrition books address portion control and mindful eating, offering information and guidance on healthy food choices, including attention to portion sizes and eating habits. These books often include advice on how to listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues and make food choices that are both nutritious and satisfying. By incorporating these principles into your eating habits, you can achieve a healthy and balanced relationship with food.

Are there nutrition books that focus on a plant-based diet?

Many nutrition books focus specifically on plant-based diets and provide information on how to eat a primarily plant-based diet. In these books, you can often find advice on how to meet your nutritional needs on a plant-based diet, and they can provide recipes and ideas for delicious and nutritious meals. If you want to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet, look for a book that focuses specifically on this type of eating.

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