I’m infamously known for being a wellness nerd to a fault—I’d put just about any superfood in my smoothies, always have a bag of fresh ginger in my purse, and would eat anything if it promised to heal my gut. Needless to say, I’d try just about anything once (as long as I did the proper research first), and I’d also read just about anything once. I’ve gone through every wellness, nutrition, and lifestyle book I can get my hands on, and to save you time and effort, I’ve rounded up my very favorites.
I find myself resorting to these cookbooks for a recipe or lifestyle tip time and time again. They’re not just healthy recipes or weight loss diets—each book offers a lifestyle that has the purpose of helping you achieve your very best, brightest, healthiest, and happiest self. They’re not just stacked in my kitchen with my other cookbooks—they’re in my bathroom for DIY beauty treatment recipes or on my bedside table for some reading before bed, because there’s so much more to them than just meal-prepping lunches or putting together a quick dinner. Wellness should be holistic, and so should our cookbooks.
I love this book because it taught me so much about how specific ingredients feed your skin, and it offers delicious, clean recipes based on each season. Plus, it offers DIY skincare and wellness tips. Not only is it pretty sitting on your coffee table, but it’ll give you a glow year-round. Read if you want flawless skin, naturally.
I no longer have to only obsess over Hannah Bronfman’s Instagram, I can also obsess over her book! “Do What Feels Good” goes through every aspect of wellness, from diet to lifestyle, with Hannah’s expert tips and tricks to feel your best. She redefines what healthy means, encouraging readers to stop going after fads and trends, and instead just do what feels good — I’m sold! Read if you want more of a lifestyle read.
For the amateur cook or the health-nut newbie, this is the cookbook for you. Not only do I absolutely adore Hunt’s delicious recipes, but the concept is that you don’t need to be super into superfoods or obsessed with wellness to be healthy. It’s the perfect wellness book for the girl who wants to be healthier, but all the nut milk bags, cauliflower crusts, and matcha frothers can get overwhelming. Read if you’re just starting out on your wellness journey.
And for the seasoned chef or the wellness expert, this is the cookbook that’s going to take your wellness game to the next level. You’ve probably seen Moon Juice products on your favorite celebrities’ or wellness bloggers’ Instagrams, as it’s one of the fastest growing wellness brands. The namesake cookbook teaches readers how to stock their pantry, and recipes for things like “Hot Sex Milk” (yes really) to achieve optimal wellness in a delicious and natural way. Read if you’re ready for a challenge.
Candice Kumai channels what she’s learned from her Japanese heritage in “Kintsugi Wellness” for practices in inner strength and graciousness interwoven with dozens of healthy, delicious recipes. “Kintsugi” refers to the Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver, or platinum, to represent that breakage and repair are a part of the process, not something to be ashamed of — now that’s self-care we can get behind! Read if you want to work on your mental health or experience wellness from a different culture.
The idea behind this stunning cookbook is that nature provides us with everything we need to achieve optimal health. Learn the art of getting better sleep, easing stress, balancing hormones, and more through the foods you eat, in delicious and easy-to-make recipes like a Rose Quartz Latte or Moroccan Spiced Salad. This raw and vegan cookbook is not like other raw, vegan cookbooks you’ve seen before — it’s colorful, unexpected, vibrant, and so delicious. Read if you’re looking to fix a specific health problem through nutrition.
Say what you will about Gwyneth Paltrow, but the girl knows good food. I spent a week making nothing but recipes from this cookbook, and every one was more delicious than the next. My chronic bloat went away, and even my skin cleared up. Not only did I love the food, but I loved reading the interviews with top doctors about methods of eating and certain health problems. The book also gives detox plans for specific ailments like adrenal support, heart health, or detoxing heavy metals. Detoxes may not be the most lasting or popular trend, but if you can’t commit to a 100 percent clean lifestyle, there’s something to be said about trying it for a week — spoiler alert: I did, and it was eye-opening. Read if you want some easy, stress-free recipes, or an eating plan for specific health goals.
While the keto diet is controversial, I found this book fascinating. I usually stay away from the word “diet” and prefer not to stick to any specific way of eating other than clean, whole foods, but love that Dr. Cole is getting rid of the idea that everything should be “low-fat” — healthy fats can do everything from calm inflammation to boost energy. But it can also be done by a mostly vegetarian and plant-based diet. As a plant-based eater and life-long vegetarian, I am SO on board. I particularly loved all the informative advice like on balancing electrolytes and how to find out how many carbs you really need. Whether you believe in the keto diet or not, this book is a treasure. Read if you want to learn about the science behind what’s good for our bodies.
This book is essentially what got me so interested in nutrition. Reading this book taught me that we can control everything from our skin to our hair to our stress levels with the foods we put in our bodies. Not only do you learn about what each specific food is good for, but it includes comprehensive lists, charts, and 20+ recipes for a full lifestyle makeover — from the inside out. Read if you want to step up your general beauty game with the foods you put in your body.
As the founders of celebrity-favorite food delivery service and wellness brand Sakara, Duboise and Tingle are dedicated to making clean eating attainable, easy, and delicious. Each recipe from their much-anticipated cookbook is designed to heal the gut, reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and “give us the tools to create a body we love living in.” Specifically recipes, I find myself going to this cookbook the most, and I love the tips sprinkled throughout that they call “light work,” or wellbeing tips that are not about nutrition (again: wellness should be holistic). Read if you’re ready to live your best life.
