If you’re thinking about adopting a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic eating plan, picking up a solid book on the subject can help you learn everything you need to know.
The keto diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat approach originally designed to treat childhood epilepsy. Over recent years it’s become popular as a strategy for weight loss and blood sugar control.
Studies suggest it can be useful for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes because it shifts the body’s fuel use from primarily carbohydrates to mostly fat, which may reduce hunger and stabilize blood glucose levels ().
That said, keto is substantially lower in carbs than many other low-carb approaches, typically allowing 50 grams of carbohydrates or fewer per day.
Switching abruptly to a ketogenic diet can influence numerous aspects of health, including exercise capacity and electrolyte balance, so it’s wise to educate yourself before beginning ().
Below are the best keto books of 2022.
How we chose the best keto books
We compiled this selection of top keto books using these criteria:
- Ratings: Does the title have strong ratings and positive reviews?
- Author expertise: Is the author qualified by degree, experience, or credentials to write about keto? This matters for health and nutrition titles. We prioritized books by health professionals (doctors, dietitians) and cookbooks by experienced recipe developers or chefs.
- Thoroughness: Does the book deliver a comprehensive, in-depth look at the ketogenic approach?
- Price: Most selections fall near $15, though some are pricier. Newer or more exhaustive books can cost more.
- Type of book: Are you after a practical guide, a scientific analysis, or a recipe collection? That determines which books suit you best. We included a range of types.
A quick look at the best Keto books
- Best keto book overall: “End Your Carb Confusion” by Eric Westman and Amy Berger
- Best keto book for weight loss: “The Obesity Code” by Jason Fung
- Best keto book for plant-based eaters: “Ketotarian” by Will Cole
- Best scientific read on the keto diet: “The Case for Keto” by Gary Taubes
- Best keto cookbook: “Southern Keto” by Natasha Newton
- Best cookbook for quick and easy recipes: “The Wholesome Yum Easy Keto Cookbook” by Maya Krampf
- Best baking cookbook: “The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking” by Carolyn Ketchum
- Best keto cookbook with meal plans: “Simply Keto” by Suzanne Ryan
- Best keto book for further reading: “Metabolical” by Robert Lustig
- Best to learn more about dietary fat: “The Big Fat Surprise” by Nina Teicholz
- Most popular keto book: “The Keto Diet” by Leanne Vogel
Our picks for the best keto diet books
Here are our top picks for the 11 best keto diet books.
Best keto book overall
‘End Your Carb Confusion’ by Eric Westman and Amy Berger
Price: $$
“End Your Carb Confusion” serves as a broad, beginner-friendly primer on ketogenic eating that details the underlying science and offers abundant practical tips for success.
It’s authored by Dr. Eric Westman, a physician and weight-management clinician who applies ketogenic principles at his outpatient clinic at Duke University.
The title has nearly 2,000 reviews and averages 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Shop now at AmazonBest keto book for weight loss
‘The Obesity Code’ by Jason Fung
Price: $
Dr. Jason Fung is a Canadian kidney specialist who runs a clinic using ketogenic strategies and intermittent fasting to support weight loss and improve type 2 diabetes outcomes.
His books, including “The Obesity Code” and “The Diabetes Code,” explain why this approach works and how to apply it.
This book is a strong pick for newcomers, offering detailed explanations of the mechanisms behind keto and practical starting and maintenance advice.
“The Obesity Code” has more than 24,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Shop now at AmazonBest keto book for plant-based eaters
‘Ketotarian’ by Will Cole
Price: $
This book is an excellent resource for vegans, vegetarians, or pescatarians interested in a ketogenic approach.
Will Cole, a chiropractor and practitioner of functional medicine, presents a plant-focused take on keto.
The plan in the book isn’t strictly vegan but can be adapted with a few substitutions.
Alongside diet guidance, the book includes recipes and meal plans.
It has over 2,900 Amazon reviews with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Shop now at AmazonBest scientific read on the keto diet
‘The Case for Keto’ by Gary Taubes
Price: $
Gary Taubes is an investigative health writer and co-founder of the Nutrition Science Initiative, a nonprofit that helps design and oversee nutrition research.
His earlier works, “Why We Get Fat” and “Good Calories, Bad Calories,” rekindled interest in low-carb diets over a decade ago. “The Case for Keto” delves specifically into the scientific evidence supporting ketogenic diets.
The book has more than 1,600 Amazon reviews and averages 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Shop now at AmazonBest keto cookbook
‘Southern Keto’ by Natasha Newton
Price: $$
Natasha Newton is the creator of the popular keto recipe site Keto Is Life.
Her cookbook features over 100 low-carb adaptations of beloved Southern dishes, from biscuits to sausage gravy.
It also includes grocery lists and a key to quickly spot recipes that match specific dietary preferences.
The book has more than 11,000 Amazon reviews and an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Shop now at AmazonBest keto cookbook for quick and easy recipes
‘The Wholesome Yum Easy Keto Cookbook’ by Maya Krampf
Price: $$
Maya Krampf runs the very popular Wholesome Yum keto recipe blog. In this book she presents family-friendly dishes that use 10 ingredients or fewer and are fast and simple to prepare.
Recipes include keto versions of garlic breadsticks and chicken tenders, among others.
The book has more than 6,000 Amazon reviews and an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Shop now at AmazonBest keto baking cookbook
‘The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking’ by Carolyn Ketchum
Price: $$
Carolyn Ketchum operates the popular low-carb blog All Day I Dream About Food.
Her book contains over 150 tested keto baking recipes and a thorough guide to the equipment and ingredients needed to create low-carb baked goods.
It has more than 4,000 Amazon reviews and an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
Shop now at AmazonBest keto cookbook with meal plans
‘Simply Keto’ by Suzanne Ryan
Price: $$
Suzanne Ryan is a well-known keto blogger who lost substantial weight using the diet. Her site offers many low-carb, keto-friendly recipes.
“Simply Keto” contains over 100 recipes, menu plans, and instructions on how to follow the keto diet and why it promotes weight loss.
It’s worth noting Ryan does not hold formal clinical credentials.
The book has more than 9,000 Amazon reviews and an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Shop now at Amazon‘Metabolical’ by Robert Lustig
Price: $$
Robert Lustig is a pediatric endocrinologist and professor at UCSF who rose to prominence after his 2009 lecture “Sugar: The Bitter Truth.”
While “Metabolical” isn’t solely about ketogenic eating, it reviews evidence on how sugar and ultra-processed foods harm health.
The title has more than 1,900 Amazon reviews and an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Shop now at AmazonBest to learn more about dietary fat
‘The Big Fat Surprise’ by Nina Teicholz
Price: $
Nina Teicholz is a health journalist and leads the Nutrition Coalition, which advocates for rigorous science in federal dietary guidelines.
Her book offers an in-depth examination of the benefits of dietary fat and critiques the flawed research that drove the low-fat trend of the late 20th century.
The book has over 2,000 Amazon reviews and an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Shop now at AmazonMost popular keto book
‘The Keto Diet’ by Leanne Vogel
Price: $$
Leanne Vogel is a certified holistic nutritionist and a prominent keto blogger and podcast host.
Her book “The Keto Diet” delivers a detailed overview of the hows and whys of keto, plus recipes and meal plans.
Keep in mind that certification as a holistic nutritionist does not require the same formal education as medical doctors or registered dietitians.
The book has over 7,000 Amazon reviews and an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Shop now at AmazonHow to choose
Keto is extremely popular, and there are hundreds if not thousands of keto books available online.
But not every book is trustworthy. To find credible keto titles, seek out those written by recognized experts.
Experts might include physicians, registered dietitians, or other healthcare professionals experienced with ketogenic approaches. For cookbooks, look for seasoned food bloggers, chefs, or recipe developers who test and refine recipes.
Also be wary of books that make extravagant or unsupported claims about keto. While the ketogenic diet can offer many benefits, it’s not a universal remedy.
Frequently asked questions about keto
What are the benefits of reading a keto diet book?
Consulting a keto book is a smart move for anyone curious about trying ketogenic eating. It can be hard to know which foods fit a keto plan, and a good book helps clarify that.
Additionally, many parts of the keto transition can be difficult; a well-written book provides strategies and troubleshooting tips.
For instance, a book may offer guidance on following keto as an athlete or managing the diet on a tight budget.
Do doctors recommend the keto diet?
Many physicians do recommend ketogenic eating. Some, like Dr. Jason Fung and Dr. Eric Westman, are clinicians who have authored books included here.
However, other doctors caution against long-term adherence for some individuals, viewing it as potentially unrealistic or hard to maintain over time.
Is there anyone who should avoid the keto diet?
Keto may not be appropriate for people with restrictive eating disorders or a history of disordered eating. You should talk with your healthcare provider before starting keto if you have medical conditions or take prescription medications.
The bottom line
Books are an excellent way to learn about the ketogenic diet, particularly if you’re just starting out.
The best keto titles are comprehensive, penned by credible authors, and well-reviewed.
Whether you want guidance on implementation, scientific background, or recipes, these 11 books are strong places to begin.
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