While you can find everything you need to start a keto diet for free on the Internet, to really become a keto pro you need to own at least one best ketogenic diet book. With this low-carb, high-fat diet gaining more and more following, the literature on keto is also growing in number and scope.
To help you find the best ketogenic diet book to suit your wants and needs, read our list of the top 8 available in paperback and e-book form. The books presented here cover the essentials of keto living, but some go into even greater detail. However, all are reader-friendly and written in plain English while also being scientifically accurate and reliable.
The best ketogenic diet book will have information backed by science, up-to-date data, and practical advice. With that in mind, here are the 8 best ketogenic diet books to read this year.
1. The Ketogenic Diet: A Complete Guide for the Dieter and Practitioner by Lyle McDonald
First published in 1998, this guide is a pioneering works of modern keto dieting for weight loss and health. This is definitely one of the best ketogenic diet books that goes into great scientific detail about the effects of keto diets on metabolism functioning and health. It also takes an unbiased and objective approach to explaining keto and its effects, including the less-talked-about side effects.
As the title explains, this work is written for experts and laymen alike using simple, yet professional language. It’s a complete source of information explained in quantitative terms and will definitely erase any confusion or doubts you may have about ketogenic eating.
All information provided in this guide is scientific, succinct, and focusing on the essentials. So, if you’re looking for a piece of writing covering the science behind keto, then give this a read. But if you’re looking for practical tips and the like, then this may not be your cup of tea.
Author Information:
Lyle McDonald is a physiologist and writer who has always had a strong interest in practical application of scientific research to sports nutrition. After earning a science degree in Kinesiology from the University of California at Los Angeles, he became a personal trainer where he learned about training and nutrition.
2. The Complete Ketogenic Diet for Beginners: Your Essential Guide to Living the Keto Lifestyle by Amy Ramos
For those of you on the search for a practical keto diet guide, this Amazon bestseller is the perfect pick. Tis best ketogenic diet book contains 158 pages divided into three chapters: Ketogenic Lifestyle, 14-day Meal Plan, and Recipes. That’s all you really need to give you an easy start with low-carb living.
Available in paperback for just under $7, you can also get the Kindle version of this easy-to-follow guide for $3. The book was first published in 2016, so expect to find up-to-date information and popular recipes.
Written for beginners, the guide comes with a total of 75 recipes with nutritional information included. Some of these recipes are under 30 minutes, which is perfect for those leading a busy lifestyle. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free recipe ideas are also available.
What makes this guide stand out, though, is that all the nutritional guidance and recipes are based on healthy, wholesome ingredients. No processed ingredients in this guide!
Author Information:
Amy Ramos is this best seller’s author’s pen name. Amy has been a professional chef for over 25 years. She’s also an advocate of keto diets and low-carb lifestyles. Amy specializes in recipe development holistic medicine, and health diets.
3. Keto Clarity: Your Definitive Guide to the Benefits of a Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet by Jimmy Moore with Eric Westman MD
Jimmy Moore, a successful low-carb diet blogger and podcaster, has joined forces with Dr. Eric C. Westman, an internist and low-carb researcher to explain to you in exact terms what the keto diet really is and why it may be just what you need to improve your health.
This book is great for both newbies and experts alike, written using only solid facts and backed by research. It fully explains the science, benefits, history, and setbacks of keto dieting. Written in a captivating manner, with a perfect balance of depth and readability, this piece of writing is sure to keep you interested.
Unlike other books explaining the keto diet in terms of weight loss, this one focuses more on the full therapeutic potential of low-carb living. From preventing diabetes and cardiovascular disease to dealing with Alzheimer’s and other neurological conditions, this best ketogenic diet book explains how keto is the answer to lifelong health.
The book contains exclusive interviews with twenty of experts from various fields explaining the ketogenic diet. You’ll learn why ketosis is normal and how keto is used in a medical setting. You’ll also find a step-by-step guide to start your keto journey and follow your outcomes.
Author Information:
Jimmy Moore is an American blogger and author best known for his “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb” blog and weekly podcast that features interviews with health and fitness experts. Moore also hosts the “Keto Talk” podcast. Dr. Eric C. Westman is the chair of the KE Diet Scientific Advisory Board. He is also an Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University Health System in Durham, NC and Director of the Duke Lifestyle Medicine Clinic.
4. The Ketogenic Cookbook: Nutritious Low-Carb, High-Fat Paleo Meals to Heal Your Body by Jimmy Moore
Once again, Jimmy Moore has collaborated with another keto expert and advocate know as Maria Emmerich to create this practical guide for all keto dieters out there. Keto is all about the meals, and this cookbook gives you 150 of them for you to make at home.
This cookbook does all the mental work for you since all recipes are based on real food and only keto-friendly ingredients. These recipes are easy to follow and suitable for anyone and everyone – for those in pursuit of weight loss, better health, and even better athletic performance.
In addition to giving you keto-friendly recipes, The Ketogenic Cookbook explains why a ketogenic diet explains how this diet helps treat type 2 diabetes, heart disease, epilepsy, and other diseases. It also offers tips on how to reach ketosis and goes over ingredient combos that help with this.
All information in this best ketogenic diet book is beautifully organized with detailed photos. And all the ingredients and recipes are homely and typical – no obscure ingredients with hefty price tags.
Author Information:
Jimmy Moore, creator of “Livin’ La Vida Low-Carb” lost 180 pounds thanks to the keto diet. He also improved his health, discontinuing his medication for blood pressure and cholesterol. Now, Moore dedicates his life to helping others reach optimal health through ketosis. Maria Emmerich is a nutrition and wellness expert. Maria runs a highly-successful blog at mariamindbodyhealth.com.
5. Simply Keto: A Practical Approach to Health & Weight Loss, with 100+ Easy Low-Carb Recipes by Suzanne Ryan
This comprehensive keto diet book showcases the author’s personal experience with the ketogenic diet. Suzan Ryan lost over 100 pounds in just one year thanks to the ketogenic diet, and this book is her attempt to help others regain control of their health.
However, don’t think this book is an autobiography. It’s a comprehensive, 336-page guide in which you’ll find tips to start keto, keto FAQs, grocery shopping ideas, a 30-day meal plan, 100 keto recipes, and guidance to help you thrive on keto.
Suzan’s guide is suitable for the average keto dieter with relatable meal plans and ideas that are easy to incorporate and follow. Her meal plan collection includes using leftovers and her recipes include keto replicas of meal staples like Tuscan chicken.
The instructions in this keto guide are clear and the photos are mesmerizing. The book has impressed even non ketoers who appreciate Suzanne’s honesty and attention to detail.
Author Information:
Suzanne Ryan has struggled with weight her whole life until she stumbled upon the ketogenic diet in 2015. She lost 40% of her body weight in a short span of time and decided to share her success story with this book. However, Suzanne first began talking about her weight loss through social media, particularly YouTube. She currently leads a blog called Keto Karma, and you can also follow her on Instagram.
6. Keto Living Day by Day: An Inspirational Guide to the Ketogenic Diet, with 130 Deceptively Simple Recipes by Kristie Sullivan
Another keto diet guide with an inspirational background story, Keto Living Day by Day is sure to give you the motivation you need to get you started on your keto journey. As the title suggest, this guide lets you in on the day by day nitty and gritty of ketogenic dieting.
In this book Kristie Sullivan shares her struggle with weight loss and details how keto helped her overcome her obstacles. She hopes her story will inspire you to adopt keto living yourself. Kristie’s personal account makes keto seem more approachable and will help you develop the mindset needed to adopt a low-carb lifestyle.
The practical part of this book includes a breakdown of the nutritional aspects of keto diets. The book also includes solutions to problems ketoers commonly face when going keto. In short, this book is takes a real-world approach to the ketogenic diet, guiding the reader through every step along their keto journey.
You’ll also learn about meal planning, meal preparation, and budgeting on keto with shopping guides. A special recipes section with 130 entries that Kristie herself has tried will make meal preparation on this diet a tad bit easier for you. Recipes you’ll find in this guide include lemon chicken, breakfast pizza, and vanilla ice cream.
Author Information:
Kristie Sullivan has struggled with obesity since she was three years old. At the age of 45, her lifelong struggle with weight ended when she discovered the ketogenic diet. Ever since then, she has decided to share her success story and hopefully inspire others to pursue the keto diet for weight loss and better health.
7. Sweet and Savory Fat Bombs: 100 Delicious Treats for Fat Fasts, Ketogenic, Paleo, and Low-Carb Diets by Martina Slajerova
Fat bombs are the keto equivalent to energy bars. These convenient snacks are also suitable on other low-carb diets, including Paleo. Making them a part of your keto journey will help you meet your daily macros. But looking for the perfect fat bomb recipe can be a drag. That’s why Martina Slajerova created this recipe book to make things easier for you.
This best ketogenic diet book includes a list of 100 sweet and savory fat bomb recipes. Not to mention they’re a perfect alternative to sugary sweets like chocolate bars and cupcakes. Most of the recipes included in this book call for common and standard ingredients that you’ll likely already have in your pantry.
The book has 192 pages complete with colorful photos. Most recipes are the sweet variety, but there are plenty of savory bombs for those looking for more variety. These recipes are also easy to tweak if you want to exclude specific ingredients like dairy or coconut.
By making fat bombs a part of your weekly keto menu using this book, you’re more than likely to reach and stay in ketosis. Being that keto requires that 80% of your calorie come from fat, fat bombs are a must have in the keto dieter’s kitchen.
Author Information:
Martina Slajerova is a UK-based health and food blogger. She discovered the ketogenic diet after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease in 2011. She created the KetoDiet app and blog as she was frustrated with the lack of resources available for this diet. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Huffpost, and BuzzFeed among others.
8. The Ketogenic Bible: The Authoritative Guide to Ketosis by Jacob Wilson
The Ketogenic Bible is the only book you really need to understand how this diet works. It explain the history, the principles, and the effects of low-carb, high-fat eating. The book also offers practical tips that will help you start keto safely and effectively.
All information presented in the Ketogenic Bible is based on scientific research and data. The authors have also referenced research carried out at their own Applied Science and Performance Institute. If you’re looking for a book with reliable and sound info, then the Ketogenic Bible is for you. It’s authors are experts in the field and knowledgeable on all things keto.
However, the Ketogenic Bible is more than a science resource book. It also includes tips, tricks, and bits of advice to help you go on your keto journey. What’s best, you will find 75 easy and delicious recipes with captivating pictures.
The 384 pages of this book go over the therapeutic application of keto as well as its use for enhancing athletic performance. You’ll also learn how to follow the ketogenic diet to meet your specific needs and goals.
Author Information:
Dr. Jacob Wilson, Ph.D., is the CEO and director of Applied Science and Performance Institute in Tampa, Florida. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers and and abstracts on sports and fitness topics.
Conclusion
Learning as much as you can about keto will help keep you on the right track. With the number of books covering keto topics growing, you have plenty of resources to learn about keto available. However, not all information out there is reliable
These 8 best keto diet books contain both reliable and useful information for foolproof ketosis. Many also contain recipes and meal plans in addition to explaining the theory behind keto diets. Depending on what it is that you’re looking to learn, make your pick of one of these books today or even keep.