A lot of people ask me to recommend books they should read regarding paleo lifestyle, and which paleo cook books to get. The problem is, there are a lot of paleo titles to choose from, and not all of them are of equal quality.
These books have changed my life, and some of them I flick through in our kitchen on daily basis for inspiration and guidance.
The titles below have been handpicked through a process of trial and error during our paleo journey and I warmly recommend them to anyone and everyone interested in real food.
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The Essential Paleo Books
If you haven’t read at least one of these, START HERE!It Starts With Food
Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways
This is probably my favourite book on nutrition ever. It’s a very easy read, explains everything in a way that just makes sense. I have recommended this books to more people than I can count, and everyone has absolutely loved it. If you were to read only one book, make it this one!
Your Personal Paleo Code
The 3-Step Plan to Lose Weight, Reverse Disease, and Stay Fit and Healthy for Life
Chris Kresser’s much anticipated new book offers a brilliant 3 phase approach that allows you to come up with your own take on paleo, personalised to suit exactly your needs.
Warmly recommended and a great starting point for a lifelong paleo lifestyle.
The Paleo Solution
Now this book is brilliant. Not only does it tell you everything you need to know, it is a very entertaining and easy read!
Warning: May contain traces of verbal vegetarian/vegan bashing. For gentler herbivore souls, we recommend reading It Starts with Food instead.
Paleo Cookbooks
There are dozens of paleo cookbooks to choose from, but these are our absolute favourites!Well Fed
Cover to cover full of wonderful recipes, that are not only quick and easy make, but also significantly different from anything that I’ve seen in other cook books. Also, they include wonderful little tips & tricks on how to make your new paleo life easier and more convenient. And all this in beautifully designed books. What’s there not to love?!
Recommended if you’re doing a Whole30
Well Fed 2
We loved the first one, but if possible, the second one is even better!
What we love most about this books is the way they give you an easy framework for variations so that your paleo favourites never get boring. These two cookbooks will make your paleo lifestyle both tastier AND easier.
Recommended if you’re doing a Whole30
Nom Nom Paleo
Possibly The. Most. Anticipated. paleo cookbook! We’ve been drooling after Michelle’s recipes for years and always cooked a lot of the recipes from her website. Now it’s all available in a gorgeous hard cover cookbook that is as fun as her blog is!
Her salsa recipes (Salsa Roja Asada as well as Spicy Pineapple & Mango salsas) have already become one of our summer kitchen staples.
Recommended if you’re doing a Whole30
Agains All Grain
Delectable Paleo Recipes to Eat Well & Feel Great
This cookbook is epic! With more than 150 recipes, it covers everything, including paleo recipes for those ‘naughty’ treats that you might be missing if you’ve been paleo for a while and don’t want to cheat with gluten or dairy containing meals – this book has got hamburger buns, crepes, waffles, bread, ice cream, etc covered and the results are delicious!
What I especially love about this book though, is the kids section. It has breakfast treats, lunchbox staples and easy meals that make veggies appetising even for the most pickiest of young palettes.
Related topics
Here are a few books that have helped us along the wayAllen Carr's Easyway To Stop Smoking
I’m not big on self-help books, however this one REALLY works.
After witnessing years of painful failed quitting attempts, I bought Kurt this book. He didn’t pick it up straight away, but I kept it available and eventually he was in the right frame of mind to pick it up. After reading it cover to cover, he put down his last cigarette and hasn’t caved in even once since. That was June 2009.
Kurt: “This book breaks the habit down to its elements and gives you the tools to deal with each piece of it. By the time you do that there is no reason to continue smoking. Actual physical withdrawals don’t really last more than a couple of days. You can continue enjoying your coffee even without the smokes, because from the moment you put that last cigarette down, you’re a non-smoker. It really is that simple.”
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers
Not specifically paleo, but along the same lines for stress management and the physical manifestations of prolonged stress.
While this book is cover to cover cutting edge research, it’s written with a healthy sense of humour, which makes the content very accessible and easy to relate to.
Hypnobirthing
The Mongan Method: A natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing (3rd Edition)
Just like our relationship with food in today’s society, birthing has been hijacked and turned into a medical emergency where interventions and nightmarish painful ordeals are the norm. This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be and hypnobirthing looks into our evolutionary past to find a better more natural approach to giving birth.
Hypnobirthing empowers the mother to take charge of the most important moment in her life and achieve a wonderful, peaceful and natural birthing experience, free of pain and medical interventions.