The world of plant-based living is constantly evolving, with new research and recipes emerging all the time. 2023 was another eventful year, with a plethora of new books that explore the many facets of plant-based diets, from health and nutrition to culture and sustainability. Whether you're a seasoned vegan or just curious about incorporating more plant-based meals into your life, these books offer valuable insights and practical guidance.
Why Read Plant-Based Diet Books?
Switching to a plant-based diet can be exciting and inspiring, but also overwhelming. Increased awareness has led to a surge in resources, but also misinformation. Plant-based diet books can help you navigate this complex landscape, providing expert advice on nutrition, meal planning, and ethical considerations. They can also empower you to make informed choices and address common misconceptions about veganism.
Heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and even cancer have strong ties to our diet. The food you eat can actually save your life or end it prematurely.
Featured Plant-Based Diet Books
Here are some of the best plant-based diet books, offering a range of perspectives and approaches to plant-based living:
Plant-Based on a Budget: Quick & Easy by Toni Okamoto
Toni Okamoto's "Plant-Based on a Budget: Quick & Easy" focuses on making healthy eating affordable and efficient for people of all economic backgrounds. Featuring 100 WFPB recipes, Okamoto was motivated by her family’s long struggle with chronic disease and her experience living below the poverty line. The book includes tasty meals inspired by her Mexican-American upbringing, such as Sopa de Fideo, Potato Tacos, and Sheet Pan Nachos.
Read also: Learn more about plant-based diets.
How Not to Age by Dr. Michael Greger, M.D., F.A.C.L.M.
Dr. Michael Greger, founder of NutritionFacts.org, explains how plant foods can slow down, and even interrupt, the aging process. In "How Not to Age", Greger posits that the right diet can help you avoid age-related diseases and relinquish your reliance on expensive face creams, allowing you to focus on eating your way toward lasting vitality. This book is a deep-dive into using food as medicine.
Seed to Plate, Soil to Sky: Modern Plant-Based Recipes using Native American Ingredients by Lois Ellen Frank, Ph.D., and Walter Whitewater
Lois Ellen Frank and Walter Whitewater explore the unique plant-based diet of Native Americans prior to European colonization. "Seed to Plate, Soil to Sky" focuses on the eight key ingredients that constituted the bulk of the Native American diet: corn, beans, squash, chile, tomato, potato, vanilla, and cacao. These foods are highlighted both in their traditional forms and in modern twists. Interwoven throughout the recipes are engaging discussions on indigenous history, food sovereignty, and environmental sustainability.
The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer by Dan Buettner
National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner shares the key principles of Blue Zones-the places on Earth with the largest population of centenarians-and how to apply them to your own life. "The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer" features engaging interviews, tasty recipes, and actionable to-do lists to inspire you to make the most out of your time on this beautiful planet. After successfully raising the average life expectancy in several cities with Blue Zones-inspired initiatives, Buettner revisited his groundbreaking work to tease out even more tips on how to live healthier, for longer.
Plantifully Lean by Kiki Nelson
Kiki Nelson shares her firsthand knowledge about taking control of your health through a plant-based diet. "Plantifully Lean" is peppered with inspiring stories, self-love, and tons of scrumptious meals that will nourish you from the inside out. Nelson approaches health and weight loss from a sustainable, holistic perspective to counter the damage that trendy fad diets can wreak on both your body and your mind. Nelson's battle with high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol led her to discover a WFPB lifestyle that helped her naturally lose weight without counting calories.
Eating Does It: Healing Ourselves and Our Planet With Food by Kathy Pollard
Kathy Pollard educates people about how the food we eat impacts our environment. "Eating Does It" takes a thorough look at the harm our modern animal-focused food systems inflict on both our health and the future of the planet. Through examining the global rise in chronic disease, increasingly processed nature of the average person’s diet, and climate change data, Pollard makes a convincing case for the benefits of veganism.
Read also: Delicious Plant Paradox Breakfasts
The Plant-Powered Plan to Beat Diabetes: A Guide for Prevention and Management by Sharon Palmer
Sharon Palmer educates readers on how to use their diet as a tool to manage diabetes. "The Plant-Powered Plan to Beat Diabetes" includes delicious recipes, loads of scientific research, and step-by-step meal plans to make a shift in your eating habits extra easy.
Plant-Based Delicious: Healthy, Feel-Good Vegan Recipes You'll Make Again and Again by Ashley Madden
Ashley Madden puts a healthy vegan twist on comfort food favorites and incorporates exciting flavors. Some of the recipes you can look forward to include Brown Rice Poutine with Miso Gravy, Moroccan Potpies with Almond Pastry, Spicy Sheet Pan Cauliflower Tacos, and Mint Chocolate Ice Cream Cheesecake. Plus, all the recipes in Plant-Based Delicious are also gluten- and oil-free.
Plant-Powered Protein: Nutrition Essentials and Dietary Guidelines for All Ages by Brenda Davis, Vesanto Melina, and Cory Davis
Brenda Davis, Vesanto Melina, and Cory Davis prove that plant-based sources of protein are comparable-if not even better-than animal-derived protein. "Plant-Powered Protein" is perfect for the athlete in your life who is ready to switch up their diet and take their training to the next level. Apart from all the incredible scientific explanations, you’ll enjoy 30 plant-based recipes, pantry suggestions, and cooking tips.
The Clean Vegan Cookbook by Jackie Akerberg
Jackie Akerberg steers clear of meat substitutes, oil, or excessive sugar. In "The Clean Vegan Cookbook", Akerberg believes the diet that helped her eliminate asthma symptoms, clear up breakouts, and easily maintain a healthy weight can help anyone and everyone on their own health journey. You can look forward to making Bang-Bang Baja “Shrimp” Tacos, Curried Red Lentil Coconut Soup, and Power-Packed Blueberry Pancakes! Akerberg’s conversion to a plant-based lifestyle improved her health enormously.
The Plant-Based Dietitian's Guide to Fertility: From Pre-Conception to Healthy Delivery by Lisa Simon, R.D.
Lisa Simon offers a comprehensive guide on how a plant-based diet can optimize both male and female fertility. "The Plant-Based Dietitian's Guide to Fertility" also features tips on managing stress, getting proper sleep, and making lifestyle changes that will impact your health long after your little one is born.
Read also: Nutritious Granola Recipes
Wellness to Wonderful: 9 Pillars for Living Healthier, Longer, and with Greater Joy by Matthew Lederman, M.D., and Alona Pulde, M.D.
Matthew Lederman and Alona Pulde combine their experience as lifestyle medicine practitioners with cutting-edge scientific research to outline the nine pillars of living well. Within the pages of "Wellness to Wonderful", you’ll discover how to optimize your sleep, connect to a supportive community, manage and reverse chronic disease, and fuel your mind, body, and soul with healthful practices.
More Plant-Based Diet Books
Here's a list of other plant-based diet books:
- Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr.
- The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, PhD, and Thomas M. Campbell II
- Fiber Fueled by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz
- The Alzheimer’s Solution: A Breakthrough Program to Prevent and Reverse the Symptoms of Cognitive Decline at Every Age by Dr. Dean Sherzai and Dr. Ayesha Sherzai
- Forks Over Knives by T. Colin Campbell and Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr.
Finding the Right Book
With so many plant-based diet books available, it can be tough to know where to start. Here are a few tips for finding the right book for you:
- Consider your goals. Are you looking to improve your health, lose weight, or learn more about the ethical considerations of veganism?
- Read reviews. See what other readers have to say about the book.
- Look for books written by experts. Registered dietitians, doctors, and other qualified professionals can provide reliable information.
- Don't be afraid to try a few different books. What works for one person may not work for another.