08/25/2025
A client asked me recently, “if I could recommend one book to help him go plant-based, what would it be?”
My answer was a little awkward because I was compelled to recommend a book which I actually hadn’t read yet 😳 “Eat to Live” by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.
However… In, my defense - I had been listening to Dr. Fuhrman’s podcast by the same name “Eat To Live” for well over a year and I’ve also been following his recommendations for a micronutrient focused plant-based diet. So, I felt like I knew all about the book without having read it. But I decided this was a sign that it was definitely time to get myself a copy.
Now having read it, this is why it’s my #1 book recommendation:
✅ It’s backed by science. Dr. Fuhrman builds his entire framework on peer-reviewed research showing how nutrient density affects disease risk, longevity, and weight. He combines nutritional biochemistry with large-scale epidemiological studies (like the Adventist Health Studies and China Study) to show that a high-nutrient, plant-rich diet not only prevents disease but can actually reverse it.
✅ He has treated 100s if not 1000s of patients in his medical practice who have done unbelievable things for their health through diet and lifestyle changes and he shares many of these inspiring stories in the book.
✅ His Nutritarian Diet is truly focused on whole foods with very little wiggle room. You could technically be “plant-based” and still not eat that much fruit or vegetables, which is better than the SAD diet - but not optimal, so his approach makes nutrient density the foundation.
✅ I like that it has simple guidelines that make it easy to envision your daily goals and know if you’re following it correctly.
✅ It also includes a 6-week program with simple, whole food recipes that are genuinely delicious, plus a website with even more recipes and resources.
