In recent years, the Paleo diet has gained immense popularity as a way to improve health, lose weight, and increase energy levels. Rooted in the idea of eating like our Paleolithic ancestors, this diet emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods while excluding grains, legumes, dairy, and refined sugars. If you're looking to explore the Paleo lifestyle, a good book can be an invaluable resource. This article delves into some of the best Paleo diet books available, offering insights into their content, target audience, and unique strengths.
Understanding the Paleo Diet
The Paleo diet, at its core, encourages individuals to consume foods that were presumably available to humans during the Paleolithic era. This includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The diet excludes foods that became common after the advent of agriculture, such as grains, legumes, dairy products, and processed foods. The underlying principle is that our bodies are genetically better suited to the foods our ancestors ate, and that modern diets contribute to various health problems.
The Core Principles
- Focus on Whole Foods: Emphasize unprocessed, real foods.
- Eliminate Grains and Legumes: Avoid wheat, rice, beans, and lentils.
- Avoid Dairy: Exclude milk, cheese, and yogurt.
- Limit Sugar: Minimize consumption of refined sugars and processed sweets.
- Healthy Fats: Incorporate sources like avocados, nuts, and olive oil.
Top Paleo Diet Books
1. Against All Grain by Danielle Walker
What It's About:
Against All Grain by Danielle Walker is a cookbook designed for those following a grain-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free diet. It offers a collection of recipes, from breakfast to dinner, desserts, and snacks, all presented with beautiful photography and easy-to-follow instructions. Danielle Walker shares her journey of regaining her health through food. After battling an autoimmune disease for many years, Danielle Walker took matters into her own hands and set out to regain her health through the medicine of food. After four years of turning her kitchen into a laboratory for revamping her culinary point of view, Danielle mastered the art of grain- and dairy-free cooking-and improved her well-being, virtually eliminating all her ailments.
Who Should Read It:
- Individuals with autoimmune diseases looking for a diet that can help manage their symptoms.
- People who want to explore grain-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free cooking for health reasons.
- Culinary enthusiasts who are open to trying new and innovative recipes.
2. Danielle Walker's Against All Grain
What It's About:
Danielle Walker's Against All Grain is another cookbook that offers creative recipes for those following a grain-free and dairy-free lifestyle. Filled with personal stories and photography, this book provides information and inspiration for anyone looking to improve their health through cooking.
Who Should Read It:
- Individuals with autoimmune diseases looking for a diet that can help manage their symptoms.
- People who want to adopt a grain-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free lifestyle for health reasons.
- Cooking enthusiasts who are interested in exploring new and creative recipes.
3. Made Whole by Cristina Curp
What It's About:
Made Whole by Cristina Curp is a guide to healing your body through a ketogenic approach to food. It includes recipes and advice, empowering readers to take control of their health and make sustainable lifestyle changes. Curp shares her journey and provides insights into the science behind the ketogenic diet.
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Who Should Read It:
- Individuals looking to improve their overall health and well-being through nutrition.
- People who want to explore the benefits of a ketogenic or low-carb diet.
- Readers interested in recipes that cater to various dietary restrictions.
4. OMG. That's Paleo? by Juli Bauer
What It's About:
OMG. That's Paleo? by Juli Bauer is a cookbook that shows that eating paleo doesn't have to be boring. With recipes like bacon-wrapped sweet potato fries and chocolate coconut smoothie, Bauer proves that you can still enjoy your favorite comfort foods while following a paleo lifestyle.
Who Should Read It:
- Individuals looking to adopt a paleo lifestyle.
- People who want to explore new and creative paleo recipes.
- Readers interested in understanding the health benefits of a paleo diet.
5. Paleo in 28 by Mackenzie Swanhart
What It's About:
Paleo in 28 by Mackenzie Swanhart provides a guide to adopting a paleo lifestyle in just 28 days. It includes a meal plan, recipes, and tips to help you transition to a healthier way of eating.
Who Should Read It:
- Individuals who want to adopt a healthier lifestyle through the paleo diet.
- People who are looking for a structured and easy-to-follow paleo meal plan.
- Those who are new to the paleo diet and need guidance on how to get started.
6. Quick & Easy Ketogenic Cooking by Maria Emmerich
What It's About:
Quick & Easy Ketogenic Cooking by Maria Emmerich provides a guide to adopting and maintaining a ketogenic lifestyle. With over 170 recipes, this book helps you understand the science behind the ketogenic diet and offers meal plans and grocery lists.
Who Should Read It:
- Individuals who want to adopt a ketogenic lifestyle for weight loss or health reasons.
- People who are looking for quick and easy keto-friendly recipes.
- Those who want to understand the science behind the ketogenic diet and how it can benefit their overall well-being.
7. Ready or Not! by Michelle Tam
What It's About:
Ready or Not! by Michelle Tam is a cookbook that caters to both the organized meal prepper and the spontaneous cook. With recipes, it provides options for every situation, whether you have time to plan ahead or need to whip up a quick meal with whatever you have on hand.
Who Should Read It:
- Individuals who follow a Paleo lifestyle and are looking for creative and delicious recipes.
- Busy home cooks who want to make healthy and satisfying meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
- People who enjoy a humorous and visually engaging approach to cooking and recipe books.
8. The Carnivore Code by Paul Saladino
What It's About:
The Carnivore Code by Paul Saladino explores the benefits of a meat-based diet and challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding plant-based nutrition. Drawing on scientific research and clinical experience, Saladino presents an argument for the inclusion of animal products in our diet.
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Who Should Read It:
- Individuals looking to optimize their health and well-being through diet.
- People with autoimmune conditions or chronic inflammation seeking alternative dietary approaches.
- Those curious about the potential benefits of a meat-based diet and interested in exploring its scientific rationale.
9. The Paleo Primer by Keris Marsden and Matt Whitmore
What It's About:
The Paleo Primer by Keris Marsden and Matt Whitmore is a guide to the Paleo lifestyle. It provides an explanation of the principles behind the Paleo diet, along with tips and recipes to help readers make the transition to a healthier way of eating.
Who Should Read It:
- Individuals who are interested in improving their health and well-being through nutrition.
- People who want to learn about the principles and benefits of the Paleo diet.
- Readers who enjoy practical advice and easy-to-follow recipes for a healthier lifestyle.
10. The Primal Connection by Mark Sisson
What It's About:
The Primal Connection by Mark Sisson delves into the importance of reconnecting with our primal instincts and living a more balanced and fulfilling life. Through the exploration of evolutionary biology and modern research, Sisson offers advice on how to improve our physical and mental well-being by aligning with our ancestral roots.
Who Should Read It:
- Individuals seeking to reconnect with their primal instincts and improve their overall well-being.
- Readers interested in understanding the impact of modern technology and lifestyle on human health.
- Those looking for practical tips and strategies to create a more balanced and fulfilling life.
11. Well Fed by Melissa Joulwan
What It's About:
Well Fed by Melissa Joulwan is a guide to preparing Paleo meals. With recipes and tips, this book will help you create dishes that will leave you feeling energized and well-nourished.
Who Should Read It:
- Paleo enthusiasts looking for creative and flavorful recipes.
- Home cooks who want to prepare healthy meals.
- Anyone interested in improving their eating habits.
Additional Paleo Resources
The Paleo Diet by Dr. Loren Cordain
In The Paleo Diet, Dr. Loren Cordain proves how choosing all-natural foods improves health, boosts energy, and helps people to resolve food-related symptoms and sensitivities. Dr. Cordain lays out ways to follow the diet of our ancestors: natural meats, fish and seafood, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and no grains, dairy, or legumes.
Practical Paleo
Practical Paleo explains why achieving optimal health without calorie-counting, diet foods, or feelings of deprivation has never been easier.
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The Paleo Solution
Written by Robb Wolf, The Paleo Solution incorporates the latest research from genetics, biochemistry, and anthropology to help you look, feel, and perform your best.
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma looks at food production through four meals: a fast-food meal, an industrial-scale organic meal, a small-scale organic meal, and a meal where he grows or kills the ingredients himself.
Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson
In this updated and expanded edition, Mark Sisson presents 10 basic ideas, including everything from avoiding the poisons in your diet to getting enough sunlight and play.
It Starts With Food
It Starts With Food outlines a plan to change the way you eat forever-and transform your life in unexpected ways.
The Paleo Approach by Sarah D. Ballantyne, Ph.D.
In this book, Sarah D. Ballantyne, Ph.D., draws upon current medical research and her own battle with an autoimmune disorder to show you how you can become symptom-free-the natural way.
Meals Made Simple by Danielle Walker
Beloved food blogger and New York Times bestselling author Danielle Walker is back with over 100 new Paleo recipes in her sophomore cookbook, Meals Made Simple-a collection of gluten-free, dairy-free, and Paleo-friendly recipes for easy weeknight meals.
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
Michael Pollan proposes a new answer to the question of what we should eat that comes down to seven words: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
Your Personal Paleo Code by Chris Kresser
In Your Personal Paleo Code, Chris Kresser uses the Paleo diet as a baseline from which you can tailor the ideal three-step program-Reset.
Everyday Paleo by Sarah Fragoso
In Everyday Paleo, Sarah Fragoso gives detailed instructions for acquiring a Paleo lifestyle and improving the health and longevity of your family.
Well Fed 2 by Melissa Joulwan
Well Fed 2: More Paleo Recipes For People Who Love To Eat is the follow-up to the popular Well Fed -- by "The Clothes Make The Girl" blogger Melissa Joulwan -- and it's packed with more internationally-inspired recipes and meal ideas.
Paleo Comfort Foods by Charles and Julie Mayfield
In Paleo Comfort Foods, Charles and Julie Mayfield provide you with an arsenal of recipes that are healthy crowd-pleasers, sure to appeal to those following a paleo, primal, gluten-free, or "real-food" way of life.
Make it Paleo by Hayley Mason and Bill Staley
Hayley Mason and Bill Staley, authors of The Food Lovers Primal Palate, show you how easy it is to take any dish and Make it Paleo!
The Wahls Protocol by Terry Wahls, MD
An integrative approach to healing chronic autoimmune conditions by a doctor, researcher, and sufferer of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).
Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes
An examination of what makes us fat, from science writer Gary Taubes.
Wheat Belly by William Davis, MD
Renowned cardiologist, William Davis, MD explains how eliminating wheat from our diets can prevent fat storage, shrink unsightly bulges, and reverse myriad health problems.
The Everyday Paleo Family Cookbook
The Everyday Paleo Family Cookbook offers guidance on how to bring your family together with the magic of real food.
The Paleo Kitchen by George Bryant and Juli Bauer
George Bryant and Juli Bauer, two of the most insightful and well-respected Paleo powerhouses, have united to bring a myriad of bold and delectable gluten- & grain-free Paleo recipes straight from their kitchens to yours in their new cookbook, The Paleo Kitchen.
Paleo Diet Books FAQs
What's the best Paleo Diet book to read?
While choosing just one book about a topic is always tough, many people regard Against All Grain as a valuable read on the Paleo Diet.
What are the Top 10 Paleo Diet books?
Curators have picked the following:
- Against All Grain by Danielle Walker
- Danielle Walker's Against All Grain by Danielle Walker
- Made Whole by Cristina Curp
- OMG. That's Paleo? by Juli Bauer
- Paleo in 28 by Mackenzie Swanhart
- Quick & Easy Ketogenic Cooking by Maria Emmerich
- Ready or Not!