Cookbook Gift Ideas + Healthy Books for the Holidays
If you’re looking for what to get your kitchen loving and health-conscious loved ones for Christmas, look no further than these cookbook gift ideas and nutrition books written by registered dietitians.
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Cookbook Gift Ideas
In a world of Pinterest, Google, and recipe blogs, the idea of a cookbook may seem outdate. But I have to admit- there is nothing like opening up a cookbook, seeing the photos, and drooling as I decide what to make for Taco and I or a dinner party. Plus, let’s face it – I bought a special accent table and cute bookends just to put my cookbooks on display in my kitchen.
While there’s a lot of celebs and influencers out there, no one is more influential in your kitchen (and health) than a registered dietitian. Whether you’re looking for the perfect recipe or just want to get the facts straight on how to read a food label, turn to a book written by a registered dietitian for the non-biased, evidence-based nutrition authority. With the holidays approaching, I thought it would be the perfect time to showcase some of the amazing work my colleagues have been up to and give you some cookbook gift ideas. Not into cooking? That’s why I’ve also included books about nutrition know-how and even some kids books to promote raising healthy eaters.
For The Grocery Shopping-Challenged
Read It Before You Eat It – Taking You from Label to Table
Written by: Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA,RDN,CDN
This is the next best thing to having a dietitian walk you down the aisles of any store, anywhere to help you translate what’s on the food label by cutting through the confusion so you can make a quick, healthy decision about what to put in your cart. Food shopping will never be the same after reading this!
PERFECT FOR: Anyone who wanted to know how to buy the healthiest food in the store without being duped by tricky food labels
Available on Amazon.
For Meal Prep Mavens
Mindfulness in Faith And Freezer Meals
Written by: Lacy Ngo, MS, RD
We live such busy lives that many of us don’t have time to consistently cook healthy meals for our families. With this ebook, get rid of the meal planning and cooking stress by learning how to efficiently make a month of healthy freezer meals in one day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes and a complete master grocery list are included
PERFECT FOR: Busy moms and busy families
YOU GOTTA TRY THESE RECIPES:
- Southwest Burrito Dip
- Healthy Spring Rolls
- Cauliflower Tot Casserole
Available at www.mindfulnessinfaithandfood.com.
52-Week Meal Planner: The Complete Guide to Planning Menus, Groceries, Recipes, and More
Written by: Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN
The 52-Week Meal Planner is the ultimate meal planning resource. It’s a workbook filled with weekly meal planning templates as well as space to write your supermarket shopping list, compare grocery prices, and jot down your go-to recipes.
PERFECT FOR: The mom who is trying to feed her family healthy, balanced meals and is strapped for time and needs help organizing.
Available on Amazon.
For Breakfast Skippers
The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club
Written by: Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN
Whether for weight loss, managing prediabetes or Type II diabetes, or a healthy, fit lifestyle, The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club is filled with delicious, easy to make recipes containing 300 calories or less and packed with a minimum of 20 grams of protein. Many are vegetarian, gluten free and able to be prepared in advance for busy mornings!
PERFECT FOR: Anyone challenged to eat a healthy breakfast, especially those looking to manage weight and blood sugar.
YOU GOTTA TRY THESE RECIPES:
- Cherry Vanilla Protein French Toast
- Orange Cream Smoothie Bowl
- Banana Walnut Bread Pudding in a Mug
Available on Amazon.
For Health-Related Conditions
The 28-Day DASH Diet Weight Loss Program
Written by: Julie Andrews, MS, RDN, CD and Andy DeSantis, MPH, RD
A DASH diet book and cookbook with 100 recipes, a meal plan, shopping and prep lists, workout recommendations and basics about the DASH eating plan and how it can support a healthy weight. (FYI -DASH = Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension)
PERFECT FOR: Those with high blood pressure or at risk for high blood pressure, and for those who want to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight.
YOU GOTTA TRY THESE RECIPES:
- Peach Crumble Muffins
- Chinese Chicken & Mandarin Orange Salad
- Chickpea Cauliflower Tikka Masala
Available on Amazon.
The 30-Minute Thyroid Cookbook: 125 Healing Recipes for Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s
Written by: Emily Kyle, MS, RDN, CDN, CLT
When you’re dealing with symptom flare-ups, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cooking. The 30-Minute Thyroid Cookbook offers quick recipe solutions to manage hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s symptoms, so that you can get in and out of the kitchen and back to your life.
PERFECT FOR: Individuals who have just been diagnosed or are living with Hashimoto’s or other thyroid conditions, as well as anyone looking for an anti-inflammatory cookbook or a book that focuses on the Paleo, Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), Elimination Provocation (EP) diets.
YOU GOTTA TRY THESE RECIPES:
- Asian Chicken Soup
- Sheet Pan Maple Pork Chops & Sweet Potatoes
- Shrimp Scampi Zoodle Bowl
Available on Amazon.
Written by: Maggie Moon, MS, RD
An easy-to-follow guide to the new breakthrough diet that’s shown to improve your brain health.
Enjoying a high quality of life as you get older means taking care of your brain as much as your body. And research suggests that what you eat today will help (or hurt) your cognitive abilities later.
The MIND Diet explains the science behind mental fitness in an approachable and understandable way. More importantly, this helpful guide presents an easy-to-follow program for keeping your mind sharp by eating the right foods and avoiding brain-harming ones.
Packed with dishes that are not only delicious but also help improve memory, concentration and mental acuity.
PERFECT FOR: Adults interested in brain health for themselves or their loved ones.
YOU GOTTA TRY THESE RECIPES:
- Pistachio Mint Couscous
- Apricot-Glazed Salmon
- Roasted Chicken with Fennel
Available on Amazon.
For Those Done with Dieting
Written by: Sarah Pflugradt, MS, RDN
You Get One Body is a guidebook to help navigate the world of diet and health. It focuses on plant based eating, adopting health promoting behaviors, and dispels common myths circulating around nutrition.
PERFECT FOR: Adults 18+
Available on Amazon.
For Those Who Want a Plan
Written by: Judith Scharman Draughon, MS, RDN, LD
Lean Body Smart Life illustrates 12 simple fixes to add healthier habits to your lifestyle, without sacrificing it. Getting healthy shouldn’t come at the cost of your happiness. These fixes aren’t another fad diet; they help you enjoy food without guilt.
PERFECT FOR: Anyone who wants to Add delicious variety to your diet, but still let you eat what you love.
Available on Amazon.
Your 6-Week guide to LiveBest, Simple Solutions for Fresh Food & Well-Being
Written by: Judy Barbe, RD
In Your 6-Week Guide to LiveBest, Simple Solutions for Fresh Food and Well-Being, you get the DIY on how to serve up taste and health—on the same fork. Actionable, easy, delicious. Filled with assessments, food tips, inspiration, and humor, Your 6-Week Guide to LiveBest, highlights each food group and guides you to simple and practical solutions. You’ll find more than 100 simple, realistic solutions for fresh food and a reboot of habits for a happier, healthier, and stronger you.
PERFECT FOR: Adults who want actionable steps toward better eating and feeding their soul
YOU GOTTA TRY THESE RECIPES:
- Berry Banana Smoothie
- White Bean Dip
- Roasted Cauliflower
Available on Amazon.
Priority Planner & Wellness Log
Written by: Sohailla Digsby, RDN, LD, CPT
This motivational planner-journal combo will help you streamline your goals, and strategically structure your days with your primary priorities in view. It will empower you to be consistent so you can see the fruit of your wellness efforts over 12 weeks.
PERFECT FOR: Preparing for the next season with all 6 areas of wellness in mind
Available on Amazon and www.bestbodyin52.com
For Those Who Like to Play with their Food
Written by: Mary Purdy, MS RDN
Serving the Broccoli Gods is packed with nutritional tips wrapped around the lighthearted and humorous tale of Purdy’s journey of transitioning from a gritty New York City actor to a registered dietitian. It takes the dull edge off of nutritional education in favor of a creative and uproarious perspective that will have readers laughing and learning simultaneously.
PERFECT FOR: Readers who have a passion for both food and a good chuckle.
Available on Amazon.
For Families & Families-To-Be
Expect the Best, Your Guide to Healthy Eating Before, During, and After Pregnancy
Written by: Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD
Highlights the latest information on fertility nutrition for women and men, as well as what to eat during pregnancy and breastfeeding to support mom and baby. Features nearly 60 recipes the entire family will love. This is a peer-reviewed, referenced book written by a dietitian and mom of three who blends research with practical advice and delicious food.
PERFECT FOR: Women, and men, trying to conceive, and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
YOU GOTTA TRY THESE RECIPES:
- Honey Orange Salmon
- Macaroni and Cheese with Butternut Squash
- Quinoa Salad with Toasted Pecans and Dried Apricots
Available on Amazon.
For Young Readers
Where Does Broccoli Come From? A Book of Vegetables
Written by: Arielle “Dani” Lebovitz, MS, RDN, CSSD, CDE
A colorful and playful vegetable guidebook introduces 102 veggies with full-color photography and charming illustrations. Learn fun facts from farm to table, vegetable seasonality, nutrition information, an introduction to cooking with tasty recipes, and how to pick, store, and eat veggies too. Kids will explore new vegetables through experience based learning with 100 descriptive words to guide their five senses on endless food adventures.
PERFECT FOR: Early readers, ages 4 and up and their families
Available on Amazon.
WHICH OF THESE COOKBOOK GIFT IDEAS WILL YOU BE GIVING AWAY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?
WHICH ARE YOU LOOKING TO GET FOR YOURSELF?
SHARE WHAT YOU’LL BE READING IN 2019 IN THE COMMENTS!
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