Some of you know that I have made some major changes in my diet over the past year. I haven’t shared much about it, but it’s really come about because of these books I’ve read. Once I started making changes, I felt so much better and my allergies have definitely calmed down. I’m not all the way “cured” yet, but I’m really excited about the progress I’m making!
Here are 11 books that have been instrumental in getting me to change the way I view food and dieting.
This was the very first book I read about five years ago that started me down the path. Obviously, it’s been a slow process–because I didn’t embrace many of the ideas in this book until within the past year. Honestly, I felt overwhelmed by the amount of information the first time I read it and put it aside. I’ve been rereading it though, and I’m excited to try out the recipes!
This book I just found in the last month, but it is one of the best I’ve seen as far as cravings, the cause of those cravings, and practical ways to help. If you have struggled with your weight, your moods, depression, allergies, or autoimmune-type diseases, I would HIGHLY recommend this book.
3) The Inflammation Syndrome: Your Nutrition Plan for Great Health, Weight Loss, and Pain-Free Living
This book helped me realize for the first time that the food is medicine. Instead of spending money on medicine and healthcare, I realized I needed to spend more money on food–real food that doesn’t cause inflammation in my body. The grocery budget was upped after reading this one!
I still go back-and-forth with some of the Paleo information. I’m eating Paleo right now, but I think I’m more along the lines of a traditional foods kind of approach (AKA Nourishing Traditions–#1 above). I do like the recipes in this book, and the guides are really helpful, too.
5) It Starts with Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways
I credit the Whole30 with helping me break my addiction to sugar. It’s a really powerful program, and if you can stick to it without cheating, you will see (and feel) amazing benefits. Don’t cheat though, or you have to start your Whole30 over again!!
This is really a powerful little book that will guide you to understand some of the spiritual issues of food–overeating, cravings, etc. You can see my series on Made to Crave here.
7) Eat Like a Dinosaur: Recipe & Guidebook for Gluten-free Kids
This has gluten-free and dairy-free recipes that my kids actually like!
8) Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome
If you are to a point where you are “tired and wired” all the time, you might want to check your adrenal function. I had some of the strangest (I thought) symptoms, but when I read this book, I realized I wasn’t so crazy…and I was struggling with the beginning stages of adrenal fatigue. Thankfully, I found an excellent functional medicine doctor who is helping me heal from this!
9) Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health
This is a helpful book about the effects of gluten. I just borrowed it, so it’s not one I have in my library, but it does contain some beneficial recipes and info.
This is a book on detoxing your body. I haven’t made it through a full detox yet, but that’s on the agenda for this summer. I won’t be using his kit or anything, but you can do the full program with just regular, organic foods. I’ll share more once I make it through the program!
11) In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto
This is a bonus one I added! This book also got me on the road to real food. Food that my great-great-grandmother would recognize as food!
Do you have a favorite book you recommend about real food or natural health?
This post is part of the 10 in 10 Blog Hop from iHomeschool Network. Be sure to check out the other posts from my blogging friends!
Amy says
Nourishing Tradition changed the way we eat too. My new favorite book is Trim, Healthy Mama. I have lost 12 lbs in 2 months and I feel great. Written by 2 Christian mamas, Serene and Pearl, daughter of Nancy Campbell, founder of Above Rubies. Highly recommended. Check out their Facebook community.
Stacie Nelson says
I haven’t heard of that one! I’ll have to look it up!
Sarah says
I’ve just finished reading the book on Adrenal Stress by Wilson. It’s excellent! I am struggling with beginning stages of adrenal issues so would be interested to know how the doctor is treating you and what you are doing to help yourself.
Stacie Nelson says
I’ve changed my diet by quite a bit (no gluten, mostly no dairy, limited sugar). I’ve also cut out a few things that were stressing me out. I’m also taking both bio-identical testosterone and progesterone. At night, I take 5HTP, calcium-magnesium, and melatonin to help me fall asleep. And I take a ton of Vitamin C and some B vitamins as well. I’ve given up coffee except for special occasions or Sunday at church, and I’m doing a little less demanding work-outs.
Those are just a few of the changes I’ve made that seem to be helping!
Deanna says
This is great. I may need to order a few of these. I’ve been dealing with lower back/pelvic area pain for a while now and traditional doctors don’t seem to know what to do since MRI and x-ray are showing up normal. I want to avoid being on pain pills and have been thinking of trying something natural (with diet and herbs) but have been wondering who I should go see for advice. What kind of doctor/naturalist are you seeing? I wouldn’t even know where to start to find someone!
Stacie Nelson says
My doctor is actually a gynecologist, and I completely happened upon her *by chance* when I picked her name out of the phone book (I don’t really believe it was just by chance, though)! It has turned out to be a perfect fit, and I believe she is really gifted in healing.
I wish I knew what to tell you! Maybe look for someone who practices integrative or functional medicine or maybe you can find a holistic chiropractor?
Prerna@The Mom Writes says
Love your collection.. I have the Inflammation Syndrome and a couple of other books on inflammation simply because my husband was bedridden almost 2 years ago and in acute pain which wasn’t being treated at ALL. Then, a friend told us to get his pH levels tested, we discovered that he was acutely acidic and the rest is history.. Today, he is 100% free of all aches and pain, we work together on our business and watch what we eat ALL the time..
Stacie Nelson says
That is amazing, Prerna! I’ve read a little bit about pH levels but don’t know a whole lot about it.
Heather says
Great post! I’ve read about 1/4 of them, but am interested in reading the rest as well! I haven’t made big lifestyle changes though. I believe the content of the books, but it’s not the easiest thing to put into practice for me :(. Maybe I just need to read more of them! LOL
Stacie Nelson says
I think it’s easiest to just pick one book and start with that. Maybe try a Whole30 and It Starts with Food for a simple way to get started (not easy, but really beneficial)! I also really, really love The Diet Cure and think it’s an excellent book to start with if one is struggling with dieting or mood issues.
It’s all a journey!
P.S. Sorry you were in spam…I don’t know why that happens!
Susan says
I had not read any of the books on your list. I’ve been trying to eliminate processed foods over the past 6 months or so, but it is very difficult with kids and their activities.
Anyway, I checked out Wheat Belly and In Defense of Food from our library – the only 2 on the list that they had. The books were interesting. I’ve heard that unless you are allergic, eliminating wheat has no impact, but I may give it a try. I had issues with Dr. Davis’ recipes using artificial sweetners (truvia (still researching), splenda, etc.)
I also checked out a book called “Hungry for Change: Ditch the Diets, Conquer the Cravings and Eat your Way to Lifelong Health” by James Colquhoun and Laurentine Ten Bosch. I started reading it this morning. It is similar to the other two books, but it contains a recipe section and provides sort of a coaching section to get you going (I’m not sure that is the correct description). I think you might enjoy the read.
Stacie Nelson says
Yes, I don’t use artificial sweeteners at all! I haven’t heard about Hungry for Change, but it sounds like a good one! Thanks for the recommendation!
Heather says
I’ve read three of these and they were all great. I will be adding the rest to my book list though. Thanks for the recommendations!
Stacie Nelson says
Which three have you read already?!!
Heather says
Nourishing Traditions, Made to Crave and Wheat Belly
Glenda says
Have you actually read these books? I’ve read several if them and they have opposing theories on food. I recommend “In Defense of Food.”
Stacie Nelson says
I am not quite sure how to take this comment, but you can be assured my integrity is important to me and I don’t recommend things unless I truly love them or find them to be beneficial.
Yes, I have actually read all of these books, and I own all but one of them. They do have different things to say, but I think it is good to explore various thoughts. I am simply sharing books that have changed how I view food. I lean towards a traditional food view (aka Nourishing Traditions), but skipping gluten and dairy has improved my allergies tremendously!