Books about Food- Recommended Reading

Food is both the pleasure and bane of society. We must eat to survive and some people despise the fact that we must make an effort to find and prepare nourishing foods . Out of all the things I have learned about food I think the most important is, there is not one diet that is best for everyone. Unfortunately, there are still people out there who try to “convert” everyone they know to the eating approach that works best for them.

When you think about how unique each person is, doesn’t it just make sense that there might be some variety in how we respond to food? Some people need more protein than others. Some can handle carbohydrates better than their neighbor. Some are trying to heal from leaky gut and food sensitivities. In my experience, it is impossible to create one diet plan that is perfect for everyone.

That being said, there are general guidelines that I believe we should follow and those are excellently taught in the following books. These are a perfect starting place for learning more about food and figuring out what “food-philosophy” is best for you.

The Paleo Cure

Author: Chris Kresser is a practitioner of functional and integrative medicine.

About: Knowledge about nutrition seems to be ever changing. In this scientifically based, easily readable book Chris challenges conventional strategies and emphasizes a one-size-does-not-fit-all approach to healing with nutrition. If you are new to the Paleo movement this is an excellent place to start.

In Defense of Food + Food Rules

Author: Michael Pollan, author and journalist. Named in 2010 as one of the one hundred most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.

About: In Defense of Food is a wonderful book that argues a very simple case – that food is more than the sum of its nutritional components. It is not simply “fuel.” Michael Pollan exposes how the “nutritionism” of food has led the food industry into a pendulum of different diets and fads based on any given studies of the moment – many of which are later proven wrong, such as the marketing of margarine as good for heart health. Food Rules is Pollan’s “Eater’s Guide” arguing that eating doesn’t have to be so complicated by breaking down daily food decisions based on some very logical food rules.

Pandora’s Lunchbox

Author: Melanie Warner, freelance writer and former food industry reporter.

About: Warner puts forth compelling evidence that as a society we place a premium on convenience over health when it comes to food. Pandora’s Lunchbox explores the world of processed foods and how many companies are making claims that aren’t necessarily truthful. This is a great “open-your-eyes-book” about the reality of processed foods.

Nourishing Traditions

Author: Sally Fallon and Mary Enig Ph.D.

About: When this book was published in 1999 it challenged the nutritional thoughts of the day. Since that time science is beginning to understand that individualized traditional diets are best. This is no ordinary cookbook. It outlines the importance of nutrition and throughout the recipe section of the book adds important insight to ancient traditional foods.