best books about eating healthy?

[Anonymous]

I've been gaining weight since I finished breastfeeding and I know I need to make some healthier eating choices. I'd like to make lifestyle/permanent changes rather than doing a diet, so I'm not looking for diet books. Instead, I'd like to read some science based books about eating healthy to get my butt in gear. I know there is quite a bit of controversy over different plans for eating healthy, so I'd like to read a range of views. Any recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Gary Taubes is a good place to start.

[Anonymous]

Anything by Michael Pollan.

His key points are:
- eat mostly plants
- cook from scratch

There are other suggestions like paying closer attention to where your food comes from, especially meat. But those two things are the crux of healthy eating.

[Anonymous]

I like the Harvard info: http://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports/healthy-eating-a-guide-to-the-new-nutrition

In addition to the website stuff, I bought "Eat, drink, and be healthy." (Also Harvard.) Great recipes in addition to information.

[Anonymous]

Fat Chance: Beating the odds against sugar, processed food, obesity and disease-Robert Lustig
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0095ZMPTU?btkr=1

Forks over knives: the plant based way to health
http://www.amazon.com/Forks-Over-Knives-Plant-Based-Health-ebook/dp/B005ARRA9W/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410916990&sr=1-4&keywords=forks+over+knives

Many people find Joel Fuhrman excessive, but it works for me. I am a lifelong vegetarian though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the Harvard info: http://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports/healthy-eating-a-guide-to-the-new-nutrition

In addition to the website stuff, I bought "Eat, drink, and be healthy." (Also Harvard.) Great recipes in addition to information.

'

+1 to Eat Drink and be healthy.

However; not exactly in line with the above, I am a huge fan of marksdailyapple.com which is about eating like your ancestors ate (living primally in the modern world). He's got a great book, called "the 21 day challenge" but I'd take a look at his website under the "start here" tab. I read it every day. Love it. Have made huge gains in my health and shape and am not fighting to stay in shape any more, I just am in shape! As a plus, he discusses exercise and a little treat here--he doesn't recommend jogging long distances--now that nugget alone makes the website worth looking at!

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed Foodist by Darya Pino Rose. She has good strategies for modifying habit patterns to support a more healthy lifestyle, while also really enjoying good food. Most of the book can also be found on her website, summertomato.com, but the book is a nice format if you want something to read cover-to-cover rather than browsing a bunch of articles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anything by Michael Pollan.

His key points are:
- eat mostly plants
- cook from scratch

There are other suggestions like paying closer attention to where your food comes from, especially meat. But those two things are the crux of healthy eating.

I like anything by Pollan. Simple, straightforward, and enjoyable reading.

Marion Nestle's "what to eat" is also excellent. She explains a lot about the food industry, marketing and policy, and breaks things down to help you select healthy and nutritious food, without the vegan/veggie bend that a lot of e "healthy eating" books seem to have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gary Taubes is a good place to start.

Yes! Read Why We Get Fat.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks everyone! Those suggestions were just what I'm looking for. I particularly like the Foodist blog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gary Taubes is a good place to start.

Yes! Read Why We Get Fat.

This book will change how you look at your available food choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gary Taubes is a good place to start.

Yes! Read Why We Get Fat.

The science has advanced quite a bit since Taubes published Why We Get Fat. While I agree that limiting or eliminating added sugars and refined grains is a good idea, I'm not sure about some of the other advice in this book. For example, artificial sweeteners and red meat are linked to spikes in blood sugar. I agree that insulin resistance is a major problem, but Taubes' recommendations around red meat and artificial sweeteners seem to contradict his own advice about the importance of steady blood glucose. He says fiber is important only for preventing constipation, but fiber actually helps maintain steady blood sugar and increases feelings of being full.

Darya Rose Pinto's book and blog are great, and Dr. Marion Nestle is a nutrition professor at NYU and a leader in the field. A PP recommended her book What to Eat. Mark Bittman's VB6 is science-based and includes recipes. If you're interested in the science around sugar, I think Dr. Robert Lustig's recent work is a good place to start. For tips on helping yourself eat less, Dr. Brian Wansink of Cornell has written a couple of good books.