One of the most common, and first, question I get when someone wants to learn more about Intuitive Eating is “what are the best books about Intuitive Eating?” My smart ass answer is “the one you actually read!” But, in all seriousness, there are many books on the market and I would not recommend them all. Just like any popular topic, there are definitely ones that are better.
I will break down the best 5 Intuitive Eating books that I recommend to get started.
Disclosure: This section contains Amazon affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
1. Intuitive Eating – A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach
Hands down the BEST Intuitive Eating book is the one that is written by the co-founders of the Intuitive Eating framework, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. I actually read the first edition of the book, back in 1995, when I was a Registered Dietitian at Massachusetts General Hospital. I was so blown away by the whole book. Hard to believe it has been 25 years and there is a fourth edition (that I STRONGLY recommend getting). It is one of the most informative books on the topic. It is packed with science – which is important to me – and many anecdotal stories and examples. It is very easy to read and extremely organized.
When someone tells me they are struggling with Intuitive Eating my first question always is “have you read the Holy Grail of Intuitive Eating books?”. They often tell me they have it. And then I say, “but have your read it?”. The response is often “some of it.” The majority of people go back and read it and report back to me that it was such a shift that happened by REALLY reading the book and incorporating the 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating.
2. The Intuitive Eating Workbook
I have to be honest. I got this workbook as part of my education materials when I was training to be a Certified Intuitive Eating Practitioner. I did not think I would ever use it. Thought the book was enough. Nope. I was wrong. The workbook is SO easy to read and the activities are so helpful. When I work with clients, I use a lot of the activities from the workbook and I suggest that they purchase the workbook.
Intuitive Eating is a simple concept but there is a learning curve and one does not become an intuitive eater overnight.
The Intuitive Eating Workbook is a fantastic addition to the Intuitive Eating book. They are both written by the co-founders, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch.
3.Anti-Diet
This book, Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison, changed my life more than any other book ever has. I got my hands on this book about 6 months after my daughter was diagnosed with an eating disorder and I was starting to question my entire professional background of being a dietitian and thriving in the wellness industry. As I read the book, I felt like I was finally heard and every thing about my 30 years in the field of nutrition finally added up. I had tears streaming down my face as I read through the content.
I highly recommend this book to help you dismantle diet culture and heal your own relationship with food, mind and body.
Evelyn tribole, Co-author of Intuitive Eating
This book is fast moving because the information is so vital. It is what so many people have been looking for. It is clear and concise and full of so much research. Get your highlighter out and tons of sticky notes. You will need them while diving into this priceless book.
4. How to Raise An Intuitive Eater
Hot off the presses! This is the book we have been waiting for as clinicians and parents. I could not wait to get my hand on this book because I get asked all the time to recommend a book that will help take the concepts of Intuitive Eating and to be able to bring them into your home while raising your kids….or grandkids! Written by 2 Registered Dietitians, Sumner Brooks and Amee Severson, “How to Raise an Intuitive Eater” was the missing link we needed.
If you only ever read one parenting book, let it be “How to Raise an Intuitive Eater”…a must read for all parents and any clinician who works with children, eating disorders or both.
Jennifer L. Gaudiani, md, ceds-s,faed Founder and medical director , gaudiani clinic and author of ‘sick enough’
5. The Body Is Not An Apology
This book is not technically about Intuitive Eating, yet, some may argue (myself included) that the work that Sonya Renee Taylor has done is transformative. I would not call this a “body image” book or a book to learn how to love your body but rather a guidebook to begin the very difficult work of looking at our bodies and learing how to NOT apologize for any part of them.
Every human should read this book. It needs to be required reading in the schools. This is more than a book, it is a movement.
A decade later, The Body Is Not An Apology continues the work of investigating where systems of oppression live inside us. Using Sonya’s radical self-love framework, we identify and dismantle bodily-based hierarchies inside and outside ourselves to build new worlds of possibility and justice.
the body is not an apology website
Once You Read the Books, Now What?
If only you could be an Intuitive Eater simply by reading a few books. Unfortunately, you have to do the work too! The good news is I have written a very good post to help you get started. The Beginners Guide to Intuitive Eating will set you off on the right path.
Keep an open mind. And get ready to take your life back.
