I commute about 10 hours a week. I know, I'm "crazy". Driving is a part-time job for me. What's even crazier is that I don't mind the commute anymore. I got into audiobooks pretty early on in my commuting life (and overcame road rage - mental health is important too!). I've read more books over the last 1.5 years than I have in my whole life. Reading a book (or listening to one) is my favorite way to learn about a novel idea. Podcasts and YouTube videos are great but sometimes have too much fluff, in my opinion.Books about nutrition, health, and longevity obviously hold a special place in my heart (since I'm a dietitian and all I do at work is think about nutrition). I would like to share the books I've stumbled upon that have changed my personal eating habits and the direction of my career.
The Six Must-Read Books for a Healthy 2020
1. The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung
This book changed my life! I began intermittent fasting about 6 months before I read this book but I hadn't fully understood why I had lost weight and kept it off after starting the 16/8 time-restricted eating regimen. This book goes into the details of why insulin is the culprit to weight gain.
This book is filled with valuable information on the components of living a long, healthful life. And it includes pictures and mechanisms. Dietitians love mechanisms. I read this book as a hard copy (not on Audible). One of my favorite books on longevity.
3. Food - What the Heck Should I Eat? by Dr. Mark Hyman
This book goes through the different food groups and debunks myths. Many foods are deemed "healthy" or "bad for you" - Dr. Hyman reveals the truth. Although Dr. Mark Hyman can sound a little arrogant at times and has put down dietitians and nutritionists, he still presents valuable information on food. I agree with most of his claims.
4. The Good Gut by Dr. Justin and Erica Sonnenburg
This married couple is at the forefront of microbiome research. They have become a trustworthy source for emerging scientific information regarding the world of bacteria within us. A majority of my patients have gastrointestinal health problems and I found this book helpful in understanding a large component to gut health: the microbiome. This book gives the overused Hippocrates quote even more momentum.
“All Disease Begins in The Gut.” - Hippocrates.
5. The Circadian Code by Dr. Satchin Panda
Dr. Panda produces a lot of research on intermittent fasting and health outcomes. I follow his work closely because he is at the forefront of research. This book provides information on understanding your internal clock: Circadian Rhythm. It's SO much more than just a sleep/wake clock.
6. The Longevity Diet by Dr. Valter Longo
This book provides information on Fasting-Mimicking Diet (FMD) and nutrition recommendations for living a long, healthy life. If prolonged fasting is difficult for you, FMD can be considered an alternative. This book dives into plant-based nutrition and limiting your animal product consumption which has all been shown in longevity research to increase lifespan.
Remember, the authors do NOT know it all. You should always be skeptical of new information and conduct further research on your own. It is important to read these books if you are a healthcare professional (and especially if you are a dietitian or RD2B) because patients/clients may ask you about the claims in these books. Utilize critical thinking when processing new ideas from books. I found all 6 of these books helpful in bettering my health and the health of my patients.
