We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why trust us?
These reads offer realistic plans and evidence-based tips to help you make lifestyle changes that stick.
We’re calling for an end to gimmicks, quick fixes, and weight loss books that aren’t backed by any real science. There’s a lot to choose from out there, and books are constantly being published claiming to offer the quickest way to drop pounds, but how do you know what’s legitimate?
When it comes to your health and weight loss goals, getting educated on how to make the best choices is a great first step. But, curling up with 200+ pages on how to lose weight is nowhere near as fun as devouring the latest Jane Harper thriller. So, if you’re going to invest the time, you want to make sure you’re getting a plan that’s scientifically sound and sustainable, not a quick fix. This being said: We polled real experts on their go-to, most recommended weight loss books for those looking to make real changes this year. No more frantic Googling to see if the books on the shelves are going to give you real results. We did the research for you.
Ahead, you’ll find a list of books that top registered dietitians actually recommend to patients (in many cases, that’s because they wrote them!). These plant-based cookbooks, thoughtful meal plans, and deep dives into the world’s healthiest people have that secret sauce: They’re informative and entertaining.
The key to eating healthier and losing weight? Two words: Meal prep. “No matter what dietary change you decide to make, if you don’t plan ahead, it’s unlikely you will be successful in the long run,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, R.D., C.D.E., author of the 2-Day Diabetes Diet.
She recommends this book to her clients since it includes a 6-week plan to make meal prep a habit that sticks. It also includes helpful info for storing and reheating food, as well as grocery shopping lists. “That’s why I love this book. It shows you how you can save time, money, and take the stress out of deciding what to eat every day,” Palinski-Wade says.
As the best diet of 2021, according to U.S. News & World Report, the Mediterranean diet is the number one weight loss plan recommended by many registered dietitians and doctors. Julene Stassou, M.S., R.D., turns the diet into a lifestyle with this 28-day kickstarter plan. Filled with chapters on meal prep, recipes, and charts to track your progress, The Mediterranean Diet Weight Loss Solution gives you the tools to turn the “diet” into a lifestyle. Stassou, who has created weight-loss plans for people with diabetes and heart disease, also has a culinary background, so you can trust that the recipes are not only delicious but good for you, too.
While a traditional ketogenic diet can help you lose weight, the pile of bacon and dairy touted in many popular recipes are full of saturated fats that can do a number on your overall health. Enter Healthy Keto, a book we designed with the guidance of Rachel Lustgarten, R.D., C.D.N. (a member of our Medical Review Board) to help you create high-fat, low-carb meals that are full of healthy fats, nutrient-rich fruits and veggies, and lean proteins. You’ll get a breakdown of what keto is all about (and how to make it work for you), 75 insanely delicious recipes that work for the whole family, and tricks straight from our test kitchen.
Even non-vegans will appreciate the recipes in this cookbook. “It benefits everyone to eat more plant-based foods on a daily basis, and this book could help you come up with delicious ideas to help make plants play a starring role in your diet,” says Taub-Dix. America’s Test Kitchen rigorously tests every recipe so you know they’ll be delicious and easy to make. From burgers to pasta to chocolate chip cookies, this cookbook is an essential for anyone looking to fill their plate with more nutrient-dense, waist-whittling vegan fare.
Our opinion: The Instant Pot is worth the hype. This cooking tool combines all the capabilities of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and yogurt maker into one revolutionary machine. Author Brittany Williams pays homage to the device in this cookbook with 125 delicious recipes, which are all made with—you guessed it—the Instant Pot. Williams, who struggled with her weight her whole life, chronicles how she discovered the Instant Pot in January 2017, and how it helped her lose a whopping 125 pounds.
We’re biased because we helped write this book too, but author Sarah Mirkin, R.D.N., says it’s a great resource for women over 40 who are looking to lose weight because it offers a delicious array of high-protein, high-fiber recipes that’ll fill you up and keep cravings at bay. Unlike other diet books that focus on limiting calories and eating less, Mirkin actually wants you to eat more—and more often.
“The idea is to fuel your body evenly throughout the day to keep your energy high and feeling your best,” she says. Fill Your Plate comes with food lists and a 21-day meal plan filled with quick and easy breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes and healthy snack ideas. “This plan encourages you to lose the diet mentality and focus on eating to feel great instead,” says Mirkin. “As a result, weight loss will come naturally.”
Amy Shapiro, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., founder of Real Nutrition, is a fan of this book: “The author focuses a lot on vegetables and eating mostly plant-based, staying away from processed foods, and eating good-quality meats,” she says. “These are all things I stand behind when I work with clients to create a healthy lifestyle.”
In the book, Dr. Hyman, who is the director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine, takes a magnifying glass to each food group. From whole grains to legumes to dairy, he debunks common diet misconceptions so you can make healthier choices.
With countless diets to choose from, it’s hard to separate science from the noise. Enter: Dressing on the Side. Jaclyn London, M.S., R.D., debunks common diet myths and breaks down how to identify “fake” nutrition news. She also provides great advice on how to clear mental blocks that keep you from reaching your weight loss goals and improving your overall health.
Lisa Hayim, M.S., R.D., founder of The Well Necessities, loves this book because it addresses the sugar addiction myth. “I love how she helps people understand why we need natural sugars and carbohydrates and how they’re essential to having a sustainable food plan versus a fad diet,” she says.
The Blue Zones Solution by Dan Buettner dives into the eating habits and lifestyles of people who live in Blue Zones—the places in the world where people live the longest, like Okinawa, Japan and Ikaria, Greece.
Whether you’re trying to lose weight, improve your diet, or taking charge of your overall health, “Buettner provides the perfect combination of science and practical advice to improve wellbeing in the healthiest way,” says Abby Cannon, R.D., C.D.N., founder of Abby’s Food Court. “He includes nourishing recipes from each of the Blue Zones, like longevity stir fry, coconut mashed sweet potatoes, and fava bean and mint salad.”
You don’t have to be pescatarian (a vegetarian who also incorporates seafood into your diet) to reap the benefits of this healthy eating cookbook. Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D.N., C.D.N., author of Read It Before You Eat It, recommends it to her clients because she says most people don’t eat enough fatty fish.
The reason? They don’t know how to buy or cook it. With three weeks of meal plans, including shopping and meal prep tips, “this book will help you discover how delicious fish can be by highlighting this source of protein that provides a powerhouse of nutrients,” says Taub-Dix.
Penned by Joel Kahn, M.D., one of the world’s leading cardiologists, The Plant-Based Solution shows you how to follow a whole-foods, plant-based diet. Like many books on this list, Dr. Kahn busts myths about protein and carbs, while offering tips on how to transition to a vegan diet. He also provides interesting research on the links between following a vegan diet and improving your libido, gut health, and autoimmune diseases.
This book, written by Tamara Duker Freuman, R.D., C.D.N., will be a game-changer for those struggling to shed pounds to due to bloating, stomach pain, and other uncomfortable digestive issues. Freuman takes a humorous, science-backed approach to common gut woes and what may be behind them with writing that’s easy to understand. In addition to 50 gut-friendly recipes, fans of the novel rave about the “invaluable” guide to digestive health supplements and GI disorders.
I like this site very much so much great information.
Hello there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!