It is the start of a new year (and a new decade), which means new goals, resolutions, aspirations. This year set yourself up for success to reach your goals by creating a plan of action to reach them. Not sure where to start? Below are some of my favorite cookbooks for new recipe inspiration, and nutrition-related books that provide nutrition guidance and tips from the current evidenced-based, scientific nutrition research to guide you.
Favorite Cookbooks
Run Fast Cook Fast Eat Slow – Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky
- This is my FAVORITE cookbook of all-time. It is packed with pre-workout and post-workout snacks, as well as simple lunch and dinner recipes. Everything that I have made is delicious! I first become obsessed with their recipes in their first cookbook, Run Fast Eat Slow while marathon training.
Thug Kitchen 101: Fast as F*ck – Thug Kitchen
- When I am looking for a good plant-based recipe, Thug Kitchen is my go-to. Not only are the recipes super simple and tasty, but the dialog is fun and takes away the intimidation of trying new foods. I am also a big fan of Thug Kitchen: The Official Cookbook: Eat Like you Give a F*ck for more fun plant-based recipes.
Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering – Joanna Gaines
- The cookbook I turn to for recipes when we have company, or I feel like making a special breakfast on the weekends. There are a variety of breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and dessert recipes that are classics with her own personal twist.
The Low- FODMAP Diet Step-by-Step – Kate Scarlata RDN, LDN
- Kate Scarlata is the low-FODMAP dietitian guru, and her cookbook is a wonderful resource to help provide relief for individuals with GI disorders. This cookbook provides meal planning tips and grocery list recommendations along with delicious FODMAP friendly recipes.
The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook – Toby Amidor RD, CDN
- Filled with helpful tips on meal planning, actual meal plans to follow, shopping lists, and meal prep recipes, this book is a game-changer for meal prepping. Simple recipes to prep for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks that make your life easier during the week.
Favorite Books
Intuitive Eating – Evelyn Tribole MS, RD, and Elyse Resch MS, RD, FADA
- Intuitive Eating is a MUST read for everyone. I read this book for the first time as required reading in my undergrad, and it was an “ah-ha” moment for me. Each time I have read it since I am able to pick up on more insights. Learn to trust your body, honor your hunger and satiety cues to help you rebuild a healthy body image and make peace with food.
Nancy Clark Sports Nutrition – Nancy Clark MS, RD
- My most used resource for any sports nutrition-related recommendations. With a plethora of information on the best practices for eating before, during and after exercise for optimal fuel and recovery. Plus all the latest recommendations on supplements, fad diets, fluid intakes, and macronutrient intakes to make sure you are getting the most out of your workouts to reach your goals.
Real Food For Pregnancy – Lily Nichols RDN, CDE
- There is an overload of information around nutrition during pregnancy and it can be a bit confusing. This is the go-to source of current prenatal nutrition recommendations and foods for optimal health in pregnancy and for your baby’s development. Provides food sources and tips to get recommended amounts of nutrients.
Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family – Ellyn Satter MS, RD, LCSW, BCD
- An extension of intuitive eating for families. This book is packed with great advice on eating, feeding, choosing food, cooking, planning and shopping for families with children of all ages to help raise healthy eaters with a positive relationship with food. The simple and tasty recipes included are great ways to get the whole family involved in the kitchen.
Born To Eat: Whole, Healthy Foods From Baby’s First Bite – Wendy Jo Peterson MS, RDN, and Leslie Schilling MA, RDN
- This one is another great feeding resource for parents. It provides age-appropriate advice and easy recipes to help introduce foods to children as they grow. It is a great resource for baby-led weaning.
