5 Book Recommendations About Low Carb and Metabolic Health

As the winter chill settles in and the days grow shorter, there’s something comforting about curling up with a good book—or popping on an audiobook while you walk, cook, or relax. This season is a wonderful opportunity to nourish not just your body, but your mind as well. If you’re keen to learn more about low carb nutrition and metabolic health, we’ve gathered five of our favourite reads. Each one offers a fresh perspective and practical advice to help you on your health journey.

Here are our top picks for winter reading (or listening):

#1 The Obesity Code – Dr Jason Fung

Dr Fung, a Canadian nephrologist, challenges the old idea that weight gain is simply about willpower or calorie counting. He explains how hormones, especially insulin, drive weight gain and metabolic disease. The book explores why many diets fail and provides practical strategies, including intermittent fasting, to help you address the root causes of obesity and improve your metabolic health.

#2 A Fat Lot of Good – Dr Peter Brukner

Dr Brukner, a sports physician, shares his personal journey and the science that led him to question the standard dietary guidelines. He shines a light on the problems with low fat, high carb advice and shares his five golden rules for better health. The book is practical, filled with real-life tips, and includes recipes to help you get started with low carb, healthy fat eating.

#3 The Big Fat Surprise – Nina Teicholz

Nina Teicholz, an investigative journalist, uncovers how decades of advice to avoid saturated fat were based on weak evidence. She explores the history of nutrition science and reveals that foods like butter, cheese, and meat can be part of a healthy diet. This book is a fascinating look at how nutrition guidelines have shaped our health—and how getting comfortable with healthy fats can make a difference.

#4 Why We Get Sick – Dr Ben Bikman

Dr Bikman, a scientist and professor, explains how insulin resistance is at the heart of many chronic diseases, from diabetes to heart disease and even dementia. He breaks down complex science in a way that’s easy to understand and offers practical steps to prevent and reverse insulin resistance through food, movement, and lifestyle.

#5 Metabolical – Dr Robert Lustig

Dr Lustig, a paediatric endocrinologist, explores how processed foods and added sugars have driven the epidemics of obesity and chronic disease. He explains the science of metabolism and the impact of ultra-processed foods on our health. The book is both informative and actionable, with a strong focus on the benefits of real food.

Whether you’re reading by the fire or listening on the go, these books offer valuable insights and practical advice for anyone interested in improving their metabolic health through low carb nutrition.

With love and great health

Dr Lucy and Dr Mary XX 
 

Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy are the founders of Real Life Medicine. They help women who have been on every diet under the sun, optimise their health and achieve long lasting weight loss without feeling miserable or deprived.

They do this with their 3 step framework that

• Improves metabolism
• Develops mindset skills
• Provides tools to implement it easily into busy lives

With this comes increased energy, vitality and confidence.

You can avoid chronic disease and stop living life on the sidelines!