Cooking and Meal Prep Cooking The 13 Best Cookbooks of 2023, According to a Dietitian Get inspired for mealtime with the dietitian-approved "Eat Complete" By Sydney Greene, MS, RDN Sydney Greene, MS, RDN Sydney Greene, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist focusing on integrative, customized nutrition counseling and coaching for individuals in recovery from substance use. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 03, 2023 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Barbie Cervoni MS, RD, CDCES, CDN Medically reviewed by Barbie Cervoni MS, RD, CDCES, CDN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Barbie Cervoni MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell / Chloe Jeong Whether you are new to cooking or are an experienced home chef, cookbooks are an excellent way to spice things up in your kitchen. They keep new chefs focused, broaden taste preferences, provide kitchen hacks, and break down different cooking techniques. The best cookbooks use readily available, high-quality ingredients and align with your food preferences, level of cooking, and lifestyle. When picking the right cookbook for you, Rachel Josey RD, an Atlanta-based registered dietitian, suggests “taking a look at the introduction—this is an often-forgotten part of cookbooks that can provide great insight into the author’s philosophy on cooking.” To help you find the right cookbook, we researched a variety of options, considering availability, price, range, type of recipes, equipment needed, dietary focus, nutritional content, and the author's credibility. We also had a registered dietitian from our Review Board review this article for accuracy and how to evaluate cookbooks. Here, the best cookbooks, according to a dietitian: Our Top Picks Best Overall: Eat Complete at Amazon Jump to Review Best Plant-Based: Healing Through Nutrition at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Family: Healthy Family Cookbook at Amazon Jump to Review Best Vegetarian: Love Real Food at Amazon Jump to Review Best Allergy-Friendly: The Elimination Diet Cookbook at Amazon Jump to Review Best Healthy Baked Goods: Sweet Laurel at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Kids: The Big Book of Organic Toddler Food at Amazon Jump to Review Best Junk Food Makeover: Thug Kitchen at Amazon Jump to Review Best Gluten-Free: Everyone's Table at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Quick Meals: The Easy 5-Ingredient Healthy Cookbook at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look for in a Healthy Cookbook FAQ Why Trust Verywell Fit? Best Overall Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients That Fuel Brainpower, Boost Weight Loss, and Transform Your Health Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros 100 recipes that range in flavor profile and are gluten free Emphasis on brain health Cons Not the most vegan friendly cookbook Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients That Fuel Brainpower, Boost Weight Loss, and Transform Your Health is our pick for the best overall cookbook because it guides readers through tasty, comforting recipes and teaches readers how to transform nutrient-dense ingredients into delicious meals. Written by Dr. Drew Ramsey, a pioneer in Nutritional Psychiatry and father of two, this physician and home chef walks readers through the 21 nutrients that are most important for brain health and wellbeing and puts them into 100 delicious recipes that are also gluten-free. Reviewers note that the recipes are made with common, everyday ingredients and are easy to cook. Many also agree that his instructions are so clear and easy to follow that they can use them to make their own recipes with foods not featured in the book. Price at time of publication: $27 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 100 | Experience Level: Intermediate | Featured Style of Eating: Mediterranean Best Plant-Based Healing Through Nutrition: The Essential Guide to 50 Plant-Based Nutritional Sources Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Written by a Registered Dietitian Emphasis on healing properties of food Offers expert tips Cons Organized by ingredient and difficult to navigate for everyday cooking Healing through Nutrition: The Essential Guide to 50 Plant-Based Nutritional Sources is written by Eliza Savage, Registered Dietitian, mom, and senior health commerce editor for Verywell. This unique cookbook is both a phenomenal resource guide to the power of plants as well as an accessible cookbook with 94 nourishing, plant-based recipes. This book walks readers through a short history of nutritional healing and provides a rundown on adding medicinal foods to their diet for optimal wellbeing. Price at time of publication: $22 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 94 | Experience Level: Beginner-Intermediate | Featured Style of Eating: Mediterranean/Plant Based Best for Family Healthy Family Cookbook: 100 Fast and Easy Recipes for the Whole Family Amazon View On Amazon Pros Labels like gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian for each recipe Recipes focused on efficiency and flavor Written by a Registered Dietitian Cons Not all recipes include pictures Healthy eating does not need to be reserved just for adults. In Healthy Family Cookbook, Brittany Poulson shares cooking class-tested, family-approved, easy, healthful recipes that will have you and the family covered through breakfast, lunch, and dinner. No one wants to spend hours on meals each day, so we love that this book offers 15 and 30-minute meals, 5-ingredient recipes, and even considers minimal clean-up time. Nutritious meals don't have to be complicated, and Brittany really shows us through this cookbook. Price at time of publication: $15 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 100 | Experience Level: Beginner-Intermediate | Featured Style of Eating: Family style The 9 Best Nutrition Books of 2023, According to a Dietitian Best Vegetarian Love Real Food: More Than 100 Feel-Good Vegetarian Favorites to Delight the Senses and Nourish the Body: A Cookbook Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Suggestions for how to make recipes vegan or gluten free Includes helpful tips for grocery shopping Cons Dinner entrees are closer to “sides” Kathryne Taylor is the owner of Cookie + Kate, one of America’s most popular vegetarian food blogs. In addition to her surplus of satisfying, veggie-packed recipes, Kathryne provides readers with tools like how to read a nutrition label, cooking tips, flavor enhancers, and menu ideas. With so many glowing reviews, this book is loved by vegetarians and omnivores alike. Price at time of publication: $28 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 100+ | Experience Level: Beginner-Intermediate | Featured Style of Eating: Vegetarian The 10 Best Vegetarian Cookbooks, According to a Dietitian Best Allergy-Friendly The Elimination Diet Cookbook: 110 Easy, Allergen-Free Recipes to Identify Food Sensitivities Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Recipe index organized by allergen 14-day meal plan included Written by a Registered Dietitian Cons Meant for those with allergies and intolerances—not suitable for all Preparing food for yourself or your family when allergies are in the mix can be a daunting task. Fortunately, making healthy, safe food that does not sacrifice taste is made easy with The Elimination Diet Cookbook. Written by Amanda Foote, a Registered Dietitian, these quick, easy recipes are free from the top eight allergens (milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nut, fish, and shellfish) plus sesame. Although this book is geared more towards those with food sensitivities, we love that this book is authored by a Registered Dietitian, is inherently free of the top allergens, and offers readers the ability to find safe recipes using an index organized by allergen. Price at time of publication: $18 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 110 | Experience Level: Beginner-Intermediate | Featured Style of Eating: Allergy focused What Is the Ketogenic Diet? Best Healthy Baked Goods Sweet Laurel: Recipes for Whole Food, Grain-Free Desserts: A Baking Book Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Focused on whole ingredients Recipes do not require a ton of equipment Cons Many of the ingredients are pricey This cookbook comes from the founders of Sweet Laurel, Los Angeles’s trendy, grain-free bakery. This book (and the bakery) focuses on the best organic, whole ingredients for delicious grain-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free baked goods. Laurel and Claire walk readers through their essential ingredients like almond flour, maple syrup, and cacao, among other wholesome ingredients as well as their essential kitchen tools. Whether you enjoy cakes, cookies, bars, or breads, this book has it all, with a focus on real, nourishing ingredients. Price at time of publication: $28 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 50+ | Experience Level: Beginner-Intermediate | Featured Style of Eating: Paleo/Grain Free Best for Kids The Big Book of Organic Toddler Food: A Quick and Easy Cookbook to Feed the Whole Family Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Written by mom of two and Registered Dietitian Allergy-friendly recipes Useful kitchen guides and resources Cons May not be ideal for families with older children/adolescents The Big Book of Organic Toddler Food: A Quick and Easy Cookbook to Feed the Whole Family does exactly that: It feeds toddlers and adults with nourishing, easy recipes written by Registered Dietitian Stephanie Middleberg. In The Big Book of Organic Toddler Food, Stephanie uses her nutritional expertise as a Registered Dietitian and founder of Middleberg Nutrition, as well as her hard-earned wisdom as the mom of two, to bring readers the ultimate guide to feeding little ones with tasty organic foods. We love that this book features guides to food labels, methods for pantry prep, and a breakdown of seasonal eating. Ideal for families with young children, this book will help caregivers and parents assess readiness for toddler-specific foods and learn about food allergens and safety guidance. Price at time of publication: $17 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 125+ | Experience Level: Beginner-Intermediate | Featured Style of Eating: Organic Best Junk Food Makeover Thug Kitchen: The Official Cookbook Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Approachable plant-based recipes Ideal for those new to eating vegetables Cons Includes profanity which may not be appropriate for all readers Thug Kitchen is a #1 New York Times bestseller and is ideal for readers who want to learn to eat healthier without the hype of the wellness world that can often make ingredients seem pretentious and inaccessible. With half a million Facebook fans and counting, Thug Kitchen wants to show everyone how to take charge of their plates and cook up some “real f*cking food.” Examples of familiar but healthified dishes include BBQ Bean Burritos with Grilled Peach Salsa, Oat Flour Griddle Cakes, and Silky Roasted Bell Pepper Lasagna. If you are looking for comfort food loaded with veggies, this book is for you. Price at time of publication: $35 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 100+ | Experience Level: Beginner-Intermediate | Featured Style of Eating: Plant Based The Best Cookbooks for Diabetes, According to a Dietitian Best Gluten-Free Everyone's Table: Global Recipes for Modern Health Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com View On Powells.com Pros Inspired by many different cuisines Ideal for those with multiple dietary restrictions Cons Some of the ingredients highlighted in this book are pricier than conventional options Gregory Gourdet is an award-winning chef of Haitian descent who has appeared on two seasons of the beloved show Top Chef. Gourdet’s book was inspired by his own health journey of getting sober and taking stock of his life and his pantry. This book features globally inspired dishes that are free of gluten, as well as dairy, soy, legumes, and refined sugar. Focusing on ingredients with the highest nutrient density, these recipes will not only nourish readers, but they will delight and inspire home cooks. Price at time of publication: $38 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 200 | Experience Level: Intermediate | Featured Style of Eating: Gluten free/ Paleo Gluten-Free Bread Brands Best for Quick Meals The Easy 5-Ingredient Healthy Cookbook: Simple Recipes to Make Healthy Eating Delicious Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Inspired by many different cuisines Ideal for those with multiple dietary restrictions Written by a Registered Dietitian Cons Some of the ingredients are pricey If you have little time and want to keep your meals as simple and healthy as possible, The Easy 5 Ingredient Healthy Cookbook is for you. The title is not an exaggeration; you will only need five primary ingredients to make each recipe, along with a short list of kitchen staples like olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh garlic. Written by Registered Dietitian and author Toby Amidor, most recipes are designed to be ready in 30 minutes and/or require just one pot or pan―so you can really keep cooking simple. Price at time of publication: $16 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 150+ | Experience Level: Beginner | Featured Style of Eating: Available to many different styles of eating Best for Beginners The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: 101 Easy, Flavorful Recipes for Lifelong Health Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Written by two Registered Dietitians Affordable price Cons Not all recipes have photos Popular for a variety of reasons, including its effect on depression, cardiac health, and weight loss, among many others, a Mediterranean style of cooking is a great idea for beginners looking to eat healthily. The recipes in The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook are uncomplicated and perfect for anyone without a lot of time to spare―or without any kitchen experience. We love that the ingredients can be easily found in grocery stores, and many recipes are labeled as five-ingredient, one-pot, or 15-minute. Perfect if you're looking to cook a delicious meal while getting your sweat on in the elliptical machine! Price at time of publication: $18 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 101 | Experience Level: Beginner | Featured Style of Eating: Mediterranean diet Best Cooking for One Healthy Cooking for One Cookbook: 75 Delicious Recipes Made Simple Amazon View On Amazon View On Barnesandnoble.com Pros Grocery shopping guide for one Affordable price Written by a Registered Dietitian Cons Not a lot of photos accompanying recipes Who has time to convert recipes designed for four to six people to a single serving? Enter Lauren O’Connor MS, RDN’s cookbook, Healthy Cooking For One. The recipes in this book will help you save money on takeout and learn how to shop for nutritious ingredients that require minimal preparation. We love that this book has nutritional calculations and dietary labels that help you choose foods tailored to your health goals as well as a sample menu for meal planning. Price at time of publication: $15 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 75 | Experience Level: Beginner | Featured Style of Eating: Leans toward plant-based 5 Easy Weeknight Meals For One That Will Get You Excited About Dinner Best for Meal Prep The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook Amazon View On Amazon Pros Labeled recipes as dairy or gluten-free, vegetarian, paleo and vegan Includes nutritional information Bonus snacks, sauces, and dressings Cons Does not include photos for all recipes Meal prepping is a skill that can save time and energy on cooking throughout a busy week, and this cookbook is a great way to get started. The main focus of these recipes is to provide well-balanced meals with minimally processed foods. If you're also looking for macronutrient measurements for personal goals, you'll have the tools here. With over 100 recipes, there are on-the-go breakfasts, easy lunches, and quick dinners, as well as tips on storing and reheating meals. This book even includes tips on pantry staples and shopping lists, as well as snack, sauce, and dressing ideas. So if you're looking to start meal prepping, this is the book for you. Price at time of publication: $16 Key Specs:Number of Recipes: 100+ | Experience Level: Beginner | Featured Style of Eating: Meal prepping How We Selected We reviewed several cookbooks available at top online retailers and consulted with Rachel Josey RD, an Atlanta-based registered dietitian and Dr. Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie, a dual board-certified Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine physician, in addition to our team of Registered Dietitians. We considered availability, price, level of difficulty, range and type of recipes, equipment needed, added features, and customer reviews. Additionally, we reviewed the dietary focus of the cookbook as well as the nutritional content of the recipes, and ingredient lists, favoring cookbooks filled with a variety of nutrient-dense, whole foods. We also considered the credibility of the cookbook authors, highlighting trained professionals. What to Look for in a Healthy Cookbook Ingredients Leave cookbooks with hard-to-find or unfamiliar ingredients on the shelf. Of course, one or two unique new ingredients can be fun and exciting, but they can be a drain on your wallet, and unless you plan to use them in repeated recipes, they might just sit in your pantry for years. Rachel Josey recommends “looking for cookbooks that focus on real, whole food ingredients prepared in simple yet creative ways. Avoid anything that calls for a long list of different ingredients for every recipe, and bonus points if a specialty ingredient is reused in multiple recipes throughout the book.” Alignment with Personal Preferences If you are new to cooking or new to cooking healthier recipes, it is important to make sure you invest in a cookbook that aligns with your personal preferences. Dual board-certified Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine physician Dr. Sylvia Gonsahn-Bollie notes, “being realistic about your three T’s: taste preferences, available time, and cooking talent is essential when selecting your healthy cookbook. Avoid cookbooks that are too extreme in excluding macronutrients and don’t include recipes that fit your three T’s.” Frequently Asked Questions How many calories should I have a day? Individual caloric needs vary from person to person, and a cookie-cutter approach never works when figuring out someone’s nutritional needs. Age, height, weight, activity level, family history, lifestyle, gender, and overall health status all affect caloric needs. If you are worried about not meeting or exceeding your personal needs, consider working with a Registered Dietitian. How many recipes are there in a cookbook? Some cookbooks have over 100 recipes, and others might have fewer. There is no general rule when it comes to the number of recipes in a book. Cookbooks that focus on a specific cuisine may have fewer recipes than other more varied cookbooks. What is healthy eating? There is no singular way to define healthy eating. In general, a healthy dietary pattern includes vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Healthy eating should also include the flexibility to enjoy less nutritious foods in moderation—think of foods that feed your soul (baked goods, pasta, pizza, etc.). Healthy eating is unique to the eater. You will know if you are eating healthy if your mood is stable, energy levels are high, digestion is on track, and your body feels vital. Why Trust Verywell Fit? As a registered dietitian, Sydney Greene puts the same care and thoroughness when researching these products as she would for herself or her clients. An avid home cook, she focuses her attention on assessing the feasibility of recipes and the variety of options available, as well as the nutritional content. The 13 Best Kitchen Gadgets, According to a Dietitian 3 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Jacka FN, O’Neil A, Opie R, et al. A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (The ‘smiles’ trial). BMC Med. 2017;15(1):23, doi:10.1186/s12916-017-0791-y Martínez-González MA, Gea A, Ruiz-Canela M. The Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular health. Circ Res. 2019;124(5):779-798. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.313348 Estruch R, Ros E. The role of the Mediterranean diet on weight loss and obesity-related diseases. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2020;21(3):315-327. doi:10.1007/s11154-020-09579-0 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit