What I've Read

Here's a list of books I've read. If I feel inspired, I'll list a full book review. Check out my recommended books, book reviews and reading list for what's coming up next.

Diet
The Paleo Solution: The Original Human Diet

The definitive book on the paleo diet. Robb has an amusing writing style and a good mix of paleo theory and practice. He describes how he decided to go paleo, the effect of food on your digestion/health and of course, how to follow a paleo diet. Includes diet adjustments for various health issues such as allergies, diabetes and celiac.

Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars

A must read for every diabetic. The first half of the book focuses on information important to all types: diabetes education, carbohydrate metabolism, and diet. The rest of the book may not be immediately helpful depending on which drugs you are on at the moment looking at metformin, sulfonylureas, newer drugs like Januvia and of course insulin. Even if you aren't on insulin now, the information is good to have for future reference.

The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation: A step-by-step, gene reprogramming action plan

Immediately gets down to how to implement a primal diet and lifestyle. I actually bought this for my Dad since it seems much more accessible than other paleo/primal books. I think this is good book for someone who isn't interested in all the background theory and just wants to know "what should I do". If you are interested in theory, check out The Primal Blueprint or The Paleo Solution.

Dr. Atkin's Diet Revolution

I mostly read this to understand my "low-carb roots". If you are planning on trying low-carb, I would recommend low-carb paleo/primal instead. Also the recipes from other books, like Low Carbing Among Friends, taste better and are still well within reach of the average "microwave cook".

Nutrition and Health
Good Calories, Bad Calories: Fats, Carbs, and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health

If you are serious about understanding nutrition, the obesity epidemic and the "science" that got us to where we are today, this is a must read. Most new authors and bloggers have read this and reference it, with good reason. Gary takes a hard look at all the scientific studies related to fat accumulation, discussing in depth which make sound conclusions (or not) and how politics have affected our current nutritional recommendations.

The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living: An Expert Guide to Making the Life-Saving Benefits of Carbohydrate Restriction Sustainable and Enjoyable

While originally targeted towards members of the medical community, this is a must read for nutrition geeks. Especially if you are going low-carb for the long haul, it's important to understand how to do it safely. They cover how to formulate a sustainable, safe low carbohydrate diet based on their clinical experience and you body chemistry. It has practical "nitty gritty" advice for long-term low-carb that I had not found elsewhere.

Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It

The follow-up to Good Calories, Bad Calories, focusing on what makes people fat at a layman's level. If you loved GCBC, or wanted to read it but couldn't get through the science, this is the book for you.

Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health

Has great information about the history of wheat, how it has changed genetically and the health consequences of eating wheat. It's written in a very accessible way, you don't have to be a "nutrition geek" to read this. Even if you already know about gluten, there is new information and is an interesting read. Some may be turned off by the strong focus on just wheat, Dr. Davis's tone and claims made from clinical practice instead of cited studies. It's a mixed bag but worth reading.

Fitness
The Slow Burn Fitness Revolution: The Slow Motion Exercise That Will Change Your Body in 30 Minutes a Week

Fred Hahn teams up with Dr. Mike and Mary Eades to layout a method of working out that is highly effective at building and maintaining muscle that is easy to work into any schedule. The home version has suggestions for alternative equipment so that you aren't spending tons of money up front. For those of you with a gym membership, they include instruction for optimal Slow Burn, taking advantage of stationary machines and exercises that can't be done effectively at home.

Disease
The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed

Covers how to cope with a new diabetes diagnosis, starting with the basics to get by in the first weeks and building up to key information for long term success. This should be the first book for any new type 2. If you have already read The Diabetes Solution or have your blood sugar under control already, it is not necessary.

Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests Are Normal: A Revolutionary Breakthrough In Understanding Hashimoto's Disease and Hypothyroidism

This is best for people who have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, have current labs and even if they show that you are doing well, you still have symptoms. He gives in-depth advice for figuring out what is still causing your symptoms (which will most likely require more blood tests) and how to address them. You can't just read this and fix things on your own, you will need a doctor who will order tests and handle any prescription changes.

Food
Bones: Recipes, History & Lore

Recipes for cooking bone-in dishes, like bone broth, ribs, marrow bones, etc. There are only a couple pictures in each section, I would have have appreciated a photo of each recipe. Mostly because all good food porn needs pictures!

Low Carbing Among Friends: Low-carb and Gluten-free V1

Compilation of exclusively low-carb, gluten-free recipes from multiple authors. Supported by Jimmy Moore, Dr. Robert K. Su, Dana Carpender, Dr. Andreas Eendfeldt and more, you know that these recipes past the test by people who know low-carb. I was glad to see that all recipes are under 10g of carbs and most under 5g. Very diabetic friendly, with simple steps and common ingredients. There aren't fancy pictures and it isn't food porn, just simple recipes that you would actually make.

Pets
Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life

The most useful sections in the book were on cat nutrition, discussing the composition of all kibble and most canned food. The appendix on how to read a pet food nutrition label was very helpful. She suggests preparing raw food for your cat or purchasing it from a reputable source like Feline's Pride.

The remaining chapters would be helpful to a new cat owner but otherwise if you have read cat books before, there isn't too much new information.