The 10 Best Keto Diet Books
This wiki has been updated 28 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Originally developed as a treatment of last resort for intractable seizures and other life-threatening conditions, the ketogenic diet has gained mainstream popularity in recent years, with its proponents hailing the unorthodox nutritional protocol's beneficial effects on everything from metabolic disorders to cancer. If you've been advised to try it, you'll find a wealth of helpful resources here. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Eat Rich, Live Long
2. The Ketogenic Bible
3. Keto Quick Start
Editor's Notes
October 31, 2019:
Before starting any new diet, it's critical that you arm yourself with knowledge from trusted professionals and consult with a nutritionist or physician, otherwise you may put yourself at risk. One of these keto diet books will help you get the information you need, and, along with a good cookbook, have you well on your way to transitioning to your new lifestyle once you get the all-clear from a doctor.
Although it's relatively helpful, we let go of Mistakes You Need to Know due to its incomplete nature. With only 70 pages, we felt we could replace it with something more useful, and so added the exhaustive The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living in its stead. This selection is perfect if you want an in-depth background on keto and low-carb diets from a medical perspective that isn't confusing or overly technical.
We also scrapped the Essential Cookbook to make way for Keto Quick Start, which not only has a plethora of recipes but also provides a roadmap for first-timers to ease into keto, which is extremely helpful if you're confused or unsure of the diet to start.
All of the books on this list are meant to inform and teach, with the added benefit that some have meal plans and recipes, like Wicked Good, The Complete Guide, and Complete Guide to Success. Be aware that with Wicked Good, the macros for some recipes aren't as balanced as some would like, which can make meal planning a bit difficult if this is your only reference book. When balanced with other cookbooks and online recipes, it serves as a great supplement.
We prioritized books written by experienced nutritionists, physicians, and scholars, and opted for volumes written in an engaging tone, with plenty of research-based evidence, as well as recipes, eating guides, meal plans, and tips for personalization.
4. Keto Clarity
5. Complete Guide to Success
6. The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living
7. The Complete Guide
8. Ketogenic and Modified Atkins
9. Dr. Colbert's Keto Zone
10. Wicked Good
Born in Arizona, Gia is a writer and autodidact who fled the heat of the desert for California, where she enjoys drinking beer, overanalyzing the minutiae of life, and channeling Rick Steves. After arriving in Los Angeles a decade ago, she quickly nabbed a copywriting job at a major clothing company and derived years of editing and proofreading experience from her tenure there, all while sharpening her skills further with myriad freelance projects. In her spare time, she teaches herself French and Italian, has earned an ESL teaching certificate, traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and unashamedly devours television shows and books. The result of these pursuits is expertise in fashion, travel, beauty, literature, textbooks, and pop culture, in addition to whatever obsession consumes her next.