Would you like to know how to know what to eat? It seems a stupid question, doesn’t it? Other species have no problem. Tigers know what to hunt for, and birds know which berries to eat from the trees. Why are we the only species that has to pay hundreds of pounds to get ‘experts’ tell us what to eat, how many calories to count, what we can’t eat, and what products we must buy, to ensure proper nutrition?
These fun & simple good nutrition books makes what could be a boring subject a lot more readable. It’s important to know what to eat, without bias. And these books can do just that.
Avoid certain foods (green veggies, grapefruit) with some medicines. No nuts, seeds and nut/seed butters for young children. Cut carrot sticks/veggie hot dogs lengthwise and again, to avoid choking. Choose palm-oil-free vegan butters. See foods to keep away from pets.
American food campaigner Michael Pollan says you can sum up how we should eat in 7 words: Eat food. Not too Much. Mostly Plants. He says all diets rely on reducing calories – don’t eat too much). All experts say we should live on 90% or more plants. Combine with regular exercise (walking’s fine) and try to relax (stress kills), to give yourself the best chance. Michael’s 64 food rules include:
- Don’t eat anything your grandmother would not know
- Comes from a plant? Eat it. Made in a plant? Don’t.
- Don’t get your fuel from the same place, as your car
- Don’t eat cereals that change the colour of the milk!
- Don’t eat anything with more than 5 ingredients
- Avoid foods with ‘health claims!’
Fun & Simple Nutrition Books
- Party In Your Plants is by wellness expert Talia Pollock, who shares the good news that you can still eat foods you enjoy, just in a different way. You don’t need a new expensive blender, nor even a meal plan. Learn how to eat well most of the time.
- Vegan Savvy (nutrition on a plant-based diet) is a positive look at the health questions that surround eating plants. It’s easy to fall down a rabbit hold of vegan fast food and beans on toast, and end up deficient in iron, iodine, omega 3 fatty acids and calcium. Lack of these nutrients can lead you to feeling sluggish or low in energy, and suffering mood swings. This book can remedy these pitfalls, with a simple and flexible approach from registered dietitian and consultant nutritionist Azmina Govindji.
- Simple Happy Kitchen is a fun and colourful book by an artist (he worked with a nutritionist, to ensure the information is accurate). Pedro Almondovar (a roasted almond) takes you through vitamins, minerals, calcium, protein and vitamin B12.
- The Plant Power Doctor is by Dr Gemma, with simple switches and 60 recipes for wholefood breakfasts, family favourites and meals-on-the-go. Gemma helped found Plant Based Health Professionals.
- 30 Days of Vegan is a simple book by a registered dietitian, making it a breeze to change your diet in a month. It offers a handy meal menu and a shopping list of all ingredients you need.
- Plant-Based Well Kind of Cookbook is by Calie and Nic (she took 3 years to go plant-based, he made the decision overnight). They show how to eat well on a budget, without need for special gadgets. You won’t lose muscle or lack protein (Nic got bigger).
- Plant Over Processed is by Hawaiian fitness fanatic Andrea Hannemann. Once addicted to sugar and convenience foods (with IBS, asthma, brain fog and chronic fatigue), she dropped the specialists, supplements and fad diets, quit processed foods and embarked on a new way of eating. She does yoga, runs or surfing 45 minutes a day. Below is her Green Morning Smoothie.
