The 10 health books on our 2014 must-read list

The New Science of Overcoming Arthritis, C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr. M.D.

Fact: Arthritis can strike at any age, so it’s never too early to start taking steps to ward it off. Vangsness uses his 30 years of expertise as an orthopedic surgeon to separate fact from fiction so you can avoid shelling out big bucks to treat an illness that can be controlled through proper exercise (think isometrics) and improving your gait (it starts in the hips).

Why we love it: Vangsness isn’t out to scare, but to shed light on the truth. He humanizes his research using Kobe Bryant’s plight with arthritis so those who are suffering don’t feel so alone. He doesn’t endorse a rigorous or restrictive diet plan either, but instead promotes balanced eating as part of maintaining weight and immunity.

The Body Ecology Diet, Donna Gates with Linda Schatz

Drawing from age-old Chinese traditions and modern food-pairing techniques, “The Diet,” as Gates calls it, seeks to strengthen the digestive tract and immune system by ridding the body of  overgrown candida (yeast), a common culprit of headaches, fatigue and discomfort. Turn to good bacteria, in the form of probiotics, and adopt her “seven basic universal principles” for an inner ecosystem that sings.

We why love it: Though providing much health-oriented information, Gates takes special care to guide us through this unique process by explaining her ideas thoroughly, so we don’t feel intimidated. She makes a link between yeast overgrowth and fertility issues, skin problems and many other ailments.

Bonus: Tasty yeast-reducing recipes and shopping menus abound.

The Start Here Diet, Tosca Reno with Billie Fitzpatrick

Previously 70 pounds overweight and sick, Tosca Reno became a fitness model at 42 through strategies you can easily adapt to your own life. Three is the magic number in this tale of transformation, where she first inspires you to identify emotional triggers that lead to overeating, avoid foods that hinder your success, and incorporate simple movements into your daily routine to boost energy and melt fat.

Why we love it: You don’t have to make drastic changes to see big results. While Reno does offer a fitness plan, she also encourages you to pat yourself on the back for being mobile throughout the day regardless of what it is – sweeping, grocery shopping and playing with the kids all count toward your caloric expenditure.

The Fast Metabolism Diet Cookbook, Haylie Pomroy

A long-awaited counterpart to Pomroy’s The Fast Metabolism Diet, this collection of fat-blasting recipes offers more than 250 quick and easy meal ideas for each of the three phases of your 28-day diet. Don’t let the word “diet” deter you, however – she promises that eating more of her wholesome recipes will allow you to lose more weight.

Why we love it: Before throwing us into the kitchen to fend for ourselves, this New York Times bestselling author explains what our metabolism is and why we should take care of it. Well equipped with a wealth of information, we’re ready to start digging in. Bacon-wrapped asparagus, anyone?

Favourite quote: “I’m not going to ask you to starve yourself ever again. That’s likely what got you into this mess in the first place.” 

Your Best Brain Ever, Michael S. Sweeney

Boosting your brainpower through healthy eating, physical exercise, memory games and puzzles can lead to a more fulfilling life. This guide shows you how.

Why we love it: There’s inherent value in having optimal brain function, but Sweeney makes us think of our noggins in an unusual light. You can expand your vocabulary through online tools like freerice.com (Bonus: Donate rice to the World Food Programme at the same time).

Bonus: Indulge in a slew of Brain Booster activities by Cynthia R. Green, PhD. They’re good for you, and they don’t feel like work!

The Juice Cleanse Reset Diet, Lori Kenyon Farley and Marra St. Clair

Our bodies are adaptable organisms with built-in cleansing systems, but being slaves to the processed and saturated-fat-laden Western diet is often too much of a burden for our bodies to handle. Through a selection of 60 plant-centric recipes, the Juice Cleanse Reset Diet (based on the popular Ritual Reset Cleanse) shows us how to kick-start the metabolism, remove toxins, sleep better and get refreshed from the inside out.

Why we love it: Juice cleanses are often daunting for first-timers, but this easy-to-follow seven-day plan promises to transform how you absorb nutrients in a way crash diets cannot. The book encourages eating a variety of whole foods in large quantities – and often! – in order to stabilize blood sugar levels without feeling famished. Not sure where you fall? Take the quiz to gain insight into your eating habits, and then proceed to embark on a personalized plan.

Favourite quote: “Ambien would go out of business if everyone started juicing.” 

Sleekify!, Michael Olajide Jr. with Myatt Murphy

Celebrity trainer, and former championship boxer, Michael Olajide promises to sculpt and tighten your body in 28 days through a blend of HIIT (high-intensity interval training), plyometrics and kick-boxing-inspired moves. The best part? You can do it anywhere.

Why we love it: Olajide shares personal stories about fitness and nutrition, which put his program into context. His no-nonsense approach to eating for fuel (as opposed to boredom or sadness) is great for reinvigorating those New Year’s resolutions. With a forward by client Adriana Lima we know we’re in good hands.

Favourite quote: “With Sleekify, you can achieve a toned, highly defined body, but you’ll also develop an engine inside that body that ensures it’s a high-performance vehicle capable of doing anything – one that can pull off what it’s advertising to do from the outside.”

The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living, Amit Sood, M.D., M.Sc.

Stress is not only a physical discomfort, but also a barrier preventing us from reaching our goals. When we eradicate everyday irritants (say, toxic people in our circle and negative thoughts) our brains are more receptive to adopting healthier habits. Through a series of anecdotes, discover how you can find your path to serenity.

Why we love it: Who doesn’t love a little stress-reduction? Sood proves why we should regularly pamper ourselves mentally and physically for feelings of well-being. If a mani-pedi helps focus our attention, makes us more grateful, compassionate, peaceful and pleasant, we'd be silly not to make an appointment.

Favourite quote: “Take pride in what you do. Let the excitement of success guide you more than the fear of failure. Your work is a means to service and love. No matter how mundane your job, you can squeeze deeper meaning out of it.” 

Super Foods, Tonia Rienhard, MS, RD

Not all calories are created equal. Foods classified as “superfoods” have the most nutrients and beneficial compounds in the least amount of calories. In this selection of more than 200 nutritional powerhouse foods Reinhard shows us their nutritional value, where to buy them and how to best consume them.

Why we love it: Reinhard takes the stress out of making a grocery list by curating foods that are the most nutritious. Not only does she identify exactly what’s in a serving, but she backs up the superfoods’ benefits with peer-reviewed studies. The book will certainly have you adding more goji berries and kumquats to your diet.

Bonus: Foods that some people avoid, like red meat and dairy, are on the list!

Do Diet, Chatelaine's health team

We couldn't give you a comprehensive list without telling you about <:>our new book. The Chatelaine Do Diet ebook makes it easier than ever to get back on track with your health. Our dietitian-approved meal plan, weight-loss tips and easy-to-do-anywhere workouts will help you drop a dress size in just a few short weeks and get you swimsuit-ready by spring.

Available on the iBookstore, Kobo and Amazon.