Nutrition and Intuitive Eating Books I Recommend as a Dietitian

Reading can be an important step in deepening your understanding of intuitive eating, gentle nutrition, and how to build a healthier relationship with food. As a dietitian (and book lover) who embraces a non-diet approach, I’ve curated a list of nutrition and intuitive eating books that explore these topics more deeply. These books cover everything from the foundations of intuitive eating to dismantling weight bias and embracing sustainable, compassionate care for your body.

Stack of books

Learning about these concepts through books s a great starting point for intellectual exploration, but it's important to recognize that true transformation happens when you put these ideas into practice.

It can be challenging to unlearn diet culture on your own, which is why I encourage you to work with a non-diet dietitian if you’re ready to take that next step. A supportive guide can help you bridge the gap between understanding these principles and applying them in a way that works for your life.

Note: Book titles are linked on Amazon in case you want to read more about them or place an order. These are affiliate links, which means I'll earn a small commission from your purchase at no additional cost to you.

Ready to dive in? Here are the top ten nutrition and intuitive eating books I recommend as a dietitian.

Intuitive Eating (4th Edition) and The Intuitive Eating Workbook (2nd Edition)

By Evelyn Tribole, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S and Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S, FAND

Start here to learn about intuitive eating from its originators, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. They break down each of the 10 principles of intuitive eating, including how to reject diet culture, honor your hunger, and make peace with food. The accompanying workbook is an actionable resource for applying the principles to your life. ORDER THE BOOK AND WORKBOOK HERE.

Gentle Nutrition

By Rachael Hartley, RD

I love this book for anyone who wants to adopt evidence-based nutrition recommendations through a non-diet lens. The first half of the book breaks down the latest nutrition and behavior change research in a way that's easy to understand. The second half is filled with a great collection of satisfying recipes! ORDER HERE

Anti-Diet

By Christy Harrison, MPH, RD

Christy Harrison is a dietitian and journalist who does an amazing job of debunking diet culture (and the multi-billion dollar industries that profit from it) in Anti-Diet. Read this book if you want to understand how the pursuit of weight loss robs you of time, money, health, and happiness. ORDER HERE

Live Nourished

By Shana Minei Spence, MPH, RDN, CDN

This is the book I recommend for anyone who wants to let go of harmful dieting habits, but doesn't totally feel aligned with the concept of "intuitive eating." Shana Minei Spence, a dietitian who works in public health, offers a much needed perspective on how to dismantle diet culture, make peace with food, and embrace your own personal definition of well-being. ORDER HERE

Reclaiming Body Trust

By Hilary Kinavey, MS, LPC and Dana Sturtevant, MS, RD

Reclaiming Body Trust is written by a therapist and registered dietitian—an ideal duo for guidance around improving your relationship with food. They show you how to use their Body Trust framework to discover an authentic path to healing and embodiment. ORDER HERE

Unapologetic Eating

By Alissa Rumsey, MS, RD

This book is packed with information and thoughtful reflection exercises. One point that really stuck with me is how always trying to "fix" yourself can hold you back from living your fullest life. The author, Alissa Rumsey, is a dietitian, but this book goes much deeper than food. ORDER HERE

Inner Workout

By Taylor Elyse Morrison

Self-care is a critical component of nourishing yourself. I like that this book goes beyond the typical "bubble bath and face mask" self-care practices we see all of the time on social media. It's also set up as a "self-care choose your own adventure," and you can take an assessment to discover the practices you need most in the present moment. ORDER HERE

The Body Is Not an Apology

By Sonya Renee Taylor

Sonya Renee Taylor is an activist and poet who encourages radical self-love and body empowerment. This book is beautifully written and great for anyone who wants to delve into the topics of global social justice and body positivity. ORDER HERE

"You Just Need to Lose Weight," And 19 Other Myths About Fat People

By Aubrey Gordon

This book is a helpful resource for understanding and debunking anti-fat bias. The author covers everything from BMI to calorie counting and harmful assumptions about weight and health. ORDER HERE

Fearing the Black Body

By Sabrina Strings, PhD

As a dietitian who also studied sociology, I greatly appreciate how Sabrina Strings unpacks the historical and racial origins of the thin ideal in this book. She offers a convincing argument that fatphobia is not actually about health at all. ORDER HERE

More Intuitive Eating Books to Add to Your Reading List:

Other Ways to Learn About Intuitive Eating:

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