These 15 healthy cookbooks feature delicious, easy recipes—it may sound like a dream, but this list is reality.
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15 Bestselling Healthy Cookbooks on Amazon
Updated on Jan. 13, 2021
Hello, healthy cookbooks!
Love tasty food? Well, when it comes to making sure you get a healthy, balanced meal, home-cooked meals are often healthier than restaurant food. Their lower sodium levels and calorie counts can make them instant winners. At a loss for ideas for healthy, flavor-packed meals to whip up? These 15 cookbooks are truly gifts of good health. Buy them for yourself, or put them on your holiday gift list right now.
On Sale
The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook
$8.92
“My favorite cookbook is The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook by Toby Amidor, MS, RD because it not only provides delicious, easy-to-prepare recipes, it also guides the time-impaired cook on how to create healthy meals with the least investment of effort,” says Joan Salge Blake, RDN, a clinical nutrition professor at Boston University and host of the health and wellness podcast, SpotOn! “Because research suggests that meals prepared at home contain more heart-healthy fruits and vegetables as compared to dining out, this cookbook does a fabulous job of successfully guiding consumers on how to get back into the kitchen to improve their health.” Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, a dietitian in San Francisco, California and founder of the supplement company Mija, is also a fan of this cookbook. “You get six weeks of meal plans, which include simple recipes to make at every meal,” she notes. (Check out how to meal prep for weight loss with these helpful tips.)
The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook
$15.14
You’ll definitely want to add this read to your collection of healthy cookbooks. “Since I cook for both my husband and myself, I need dishes that meet both of our health needs,” says Keri Gans, RDN, a nutritionist in New York City and author of The Small Change Diet. “Since diabetes cookbooks are ideal for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, heart-health concerns, and even for people without, dietitian Jackie Newgent’s The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook is the perfect pick for me. The fact that the portion-friendly recipes are simple—which is 100 percent my style—and nutrient-packed keeps this cookbook readily accessible in my kitchen.”
On Sale
The Superfood Swap
$15.79
“This book is more than a cookbook, it’s a road map to healthier eating that’s full of tips and tricks for swapping less-healthful foods for much healthier versions so you never feel like you’re missing out,” says Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, a nutrition and wellness expert in New York. “And since living a full life means enjoying your social life, author Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, provides plenty of ways to help you handle those social situations as well. The recipes cover fun foods like French toast, tacos, and lasagna—all remade to be just as delicious but much better for you.”
On Sale
The Healing Soup Cookbook
$16.99
A cookbook full of comforting soup recipes? Yes, please. “This cookbook from Cara Harbstreet, RD and Julie Harrington, RD is perfect for all your cool-weather needs,” says Abbie Gellman, RD, a culinary nutritionist in New York City. “Comforting, delicious, and nutritious, this cookbook makes me want to eat soup all year round.” Check out these feel-better foods to eat when you have a cold.
On Sale
Meals That Heal
$14.53
“This book by Carolyn Land Williams, a PhD, RD, focuses on issues caused by inflammation—autoimmune, poor digestibility, and mental decline—and describes them in a way that’s easy to understand how food can help,” says Deanna Segrave-Daly, RD, a dietitian in Havertown, Pennsylvania. “The recipes are healthful, delicious, and doable. Williams is a dietitian who is a James Beard Award Winner, so she delivers recipes that work.” Take a look at the food rules of an anti-inflammatory diet.
On Sale
Love Real Food
$19.87
Here’s a book packed with healthy vegetarian recipes. “This cookbook by Kathryn Taylor is full of delicious, easy, and plant-forward meals,” says Sarah Gold Anzlovar, MS, RDN, a dietitian in Boston. “There are recipes for all levels of culinary comfort, and every dish is packed with nourishing ingredients that are full of flavor and incredibly satisfying.” Wondering about the health benefits of a vegan diet?
On Sale
The Mediterranean DASH Diet Cookbook
$10.94
“Written by dietitian Abbie Gellman, this cookbook is a delicious combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, both of which may help reduce the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes while being well-balanced and practical,” says culinary nutritionist Julie Andrews, RDN. “There are endless options out there for Mediterranean and DASH cookbooks, but what makes Gellman’s special is that she is a registered dietitian and trained chef. So she knows her way around the kitchen!”
On Sale
The Southern Comfort Diabetes Cookbook
$15.39
If you have diabetes but still want to enjoy southern favorites, you can with dietitian Maya Feller’s cookbook. “I love this cookbook because it’s loaded with decadent delicious recipes that have lots of flavor but are conscious of glycemic balance and heart health,” says Isabel Smith, RD, a functional nutritionist in New York City. Love carbohydrates? Take a look at these good carbs for diabetes.
On Sale
Whole in One
$21.49
“I love, love, love dietitian Ellie Krieger’s newest book, Whole in One!” says Jackie Newgent, RDN, a culinary nutritionist in Brooklyn, New York and author of The Clean & Simple Diabetes Cookbook. “Since I’m a cookbook author myself, I’m really particular about the cookbooks I use and am inspired by. Because so many of Krieger’s nutritionally complete meals and desserts are plant-forward, the recipes are naturally healthful without being diet-y. They’ve got that flavor wow factor! Plus, since I’m already in the kitchen so much for my work, I like to keep my own home-cooked dishes and kitchen clean-up super simple, making Krieger’s one pan, pot, or skillet approach a win-win.”
My Indian Table
$24.25
“I love nutritionist Vandana Sheth’s cookbook, which offers creative, flavorful, and healthy takes on Indian recipes,” says Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, a dietitian in New York City. “I particularly appreciate the focus on vegetarian, plant-based foods and time-saving, practical tips that make it easy to incorporate the recipes into daily life.” Ruth Frechman, RDN, author of The Food Is My Friend Diet, is also a fan of the cookbook. “I like that it’s written from Sheth’s heart,” she says. “You can feel the love!”
Weeknight Wonders
$16.15
“One of the biggest challenges of eating nutritious food can be the time commitment,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, a dietitian in Sparta, New Jersey and author of the 2 Day Diabetes Diet. “I love Weeknight Wonders by Ellie Krieger because it solves this problem by providing a variety of delicious and healthy meals that can all be made in under 30 minutes. I know it has been an essential part of the weekly meal prep routine for me and my clients.” You may also want to try these healthy meals you can make in 20 minutes.
On Sale
The Food Lab
$38.27
“I love this cookbook by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt because a science lesson is included with each method,” says Wendy Wesley, RDN, a dietitian in St. Petersburg, Florida. “I teach method cooking, not recipes—and here, Lopez-Alt does, too. People are more likely to retain nutrition and cooking information when science is included. And method cooking opens people up to greater confidence and freedom in the kitchen.”
On Sale
Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook
$17.56
Recently purchased an Instant Pot but aren’t quite sure how to use all its features? This cookbook by Dana Angelo White, RD is for you. “It’s one of my favorite healthy cookbooks to dig into for a quick weeknight meal,” says Toby Amidor, RD, a dietitian in New York City. “I am relatively new to using the Instant Pot, but the recipes are so diverse— who knew you could make risotto in the trendy kitchen appliance?—and so easy to follow.”
On Sale
28-Day Plant-Powered Health Reboot
$20.69
“This cookbook is one of my all-time fave healthy cookbooks,” says Marisa Moore, RDN, a dietitian in Atlanta. “Written by registered dietitians Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones, the book offers a variety of easy-to-follow, delicious recipes. Using a fresh approach with common ingredients, the recipes are balanced, satisfying, and relatable!”
On Sale
Better Baking
$21.91
“I have a sweet tooth, but I also prioritize healthier ingredients,” says Cassetty. “With Better Baking by Genevieve Ko, I don’t have to make a choice—I get to enjoy both. All the goodies in this book are made with more nutritious ingredients like fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and for the most part, less processed sugar such as honey or maple syrup. All the recipes call out when they’re gluten- or dairy-free (or both), and there are many nut-free options as well so you can find something for just about everyone!” Looking for more healthy desserts that can actually help you lose weight?
Amy Gorin is a freelance writer, registered dietitian, and owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in the New York City area. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Sources
- Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, a clinical nutrition professor at Boston University and host of the health and wellness podcast, SpotOn!
- Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, a dietitian in San Francisco, CA and founder of the beauty supplement MIJA
- Keri Gans, RDN, a nutritionist in New York City and author of The Small Change Diet
- Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, a nutrition and wellness expert in New York City
- Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, a culinary nutritionist in New York City
- Deanna Segrave-Daly, RD, a dietitian in Havertown, Pennsylvania
- Sarah Gold Anzlovar, MS, RDN, a dietitian in Boston
- Julie Andrews, MS, RDN, culinary nutritionist
- Isabel Smith, MS, RD, a functional nutritionist in New York City
- Jackie Newgent, RDN, a culinary nutritionist in Brooklyn, New York and author of The Clean & Simple Diabetes Cookbook
- Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, a dietitian in New York City
- Ruth Frechman, MA, RDN, CPT, author of The Food Is My Friend Diet
- Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, a dietitian in Sparta, New Jersey and author of 2 Day Diabetes Diet
- Wendy Wesley, RDN, a dietitian in St. Petersburg, Florida
- Toby Amidor, MS, RD, a dietitian in New York City
- Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, a dietitian in Atlanta
