Must Reads for Summer
Written by Colleen Sloan PA-C, RDN and Founder of Exam Room Nutrition
Welcome to your Nutrition Summer Reading List
Remember those summer reading assignments from school? What I can offer you is a stack of favorite books that are 100% worth your time.
From brain health to behavior change, nutrition myths to movement motivation, these reads have inspired me, challenged my thinking, and given me tools I actually use with patients. Some are new, some are oldies-but-goodies, and all of them are packed with practical, science-backed, “oh wow I needed this” goodness.
There were so many great books, I honestly could have kept going… Read one or read them all—and if you do, I’d love to hear what you think.
Enjoy your summer and your reading!
Happy reading—and don’t forget your SPF!
My Top Recs
Practical Fueling for Endurance Athletes
If you’ve ever wondered what to eat before a race (or during a grueling training cycle), this book delivers real-life, science-backed answers. Kylee Van Horn—an endurance athlete and RD—shares practical strategies for fueling your body without obsessing over weight. From plant-based options to supplement tips, female-specific needs, and 28 recipes, this one’s packed with guidance you can actually use.
Find Your Food Voice
Tired of diet rules running your life? This powerful read is part therapy, part rebellion, and all about helping you reclaim your relationship with food. If you’ve ditched diets but feel stuck on what comes next, this book is your roadmap. Julie Duffy Dillon helps you break free from food rules, reconnect with your body, and build a peaceful relationship with eating—no shame, no blame, just real recovery tools and intuitive eating strategies that work.
How to Get Your Kid to Eat: But Not Too Much
An oldie but a goodie—this classic on feeding kids still holds up. A go-to resource for navigating mealtime power struggles, picky eating, and growing appetites. With warmth and wisdom, Ellyn Satter answers the questions every parent has—like how to handle constant snacking, sudden food rules, and selective eaters who eat everything at a friend’s house. Practical, respectful, and refreshingly judgment-free.
How to Grow an Athlete
Part playbook, part parenting guide, this gem from seasoned sports dietitian Lea Stening helps parents fuel their kids for both performance and growth. Backed by decades of experience in youth and elite sports, it covers everything from daily nutrition to game-day prep—plus tips that benefit the whole family, not just future Olympians. A must-read for parents raising active kids.
Sick Enough
This powerful read tackles a heartbreaking myth head-on: that you have to be underweight to deserve care. Dr. Gaudiani blends science with empathy to validate the medical and emotional realities of eating disorders at every size. With real patient stories and clear clinical insight, Sick Enough is essential reading for families, providers, and anyone supporting recovery—while rejecting diet culture at its core.
The Hunger Habit: Why We Eat When We're Not Hungry and How to Stop
This isn’t another anti-snack sermon—it’s a brain-based approach to why we eat the way we do. Whether it’s stress, boredom, or donuts in the break room, Dr. Brewer helps unpack the habits behind our eating patterns without shame or restriction. Backed by neuroscience and full of real-world strategies, The Hunger Habit offers a fresh, compassionate path to changing how we relate to food—no willpower required.
Intuitive Eating
A modern classic for a reason. Intuitive Eating was one of the first books to challenge diet culture and help readers rebuild trust with their bodies. This updated edition walks you through ten powerful principles to ditch food guilt, heal your relationship with eating, and find real satisfaction—no calorie counting or “cheat days” required.
Stronger: The Untold Story of Muscle in Our Lives
Stronger reframes muscle as a vital—and often overlooked—key to lifelong health. From ancient battlefields to modern retirement homes, Gross explores the surprising power of strength training for every body, at every age. Packed with stories, research, and practical takeaways, this book is for anyone ready to see lifting weights in a whole new light (yes, even if you’ve never touched a dumbbell).
Tiny Habits
Big changes start small—and BJ Fogg shows you exactly how. Backed by decades of research, Tiny Habits offers a proven, feel-good approach to creating lasting behavior change. Whether your goal is better sleep, less stress, or healthier eating, this book teaches you how to anchor new habits into your day without relying on willpower or guilt. Small wins. Big results.
The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life
Stuck in a performance rut or holding back from your full potential? This book flips the script. Todd Herman—coach to Olympians and elite performers—shows how creating an “alter ego” can unlock the most confident, capable version of yourself. Backed by brain science and real stories, The Alter Ego Effect gives you the tools to overcome self-doubt and show up as your Heroic Self—on stage, at work, or anywhere you need to level up.
The MIND Diet
Your brain needs just as much care as your body—and this book shows you how to nourish both. Backed by research and packed with practical tools, The MIND Diet, by Maggie Moon, RDN, offers a simple, sustainable plan to boost cognitive health and help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. With new globally inspired recipes, meal prep tips, smart shopping lists, and portion strategies, it’s brain food made doable.
Supercommunicators
What makes some conversations click while others completely miss? In Supercommunicators, Charles Duhigg unpacks the science behind meaningful connection—and reveals the three types of conversations we’re actually having (hint: it’s not always about the words). With powerful stories and practical takeaways, this book teaches you how to listen better, speak more clearly, and build trust in any setting—from the exam room to the boardroom.
I Know I Should Exercise, But...
This isn’t your typical fitness pep talk—it’s a mindset reset. Psychologist Diana Hill and movement expert Katy Bowman tackle the real reasons we struggle to move more (hello, guilt, shame, boredom, and overwhelm) and offer science-backed strategies to shift your thinking. Through practical tools like ACT, urge surfing, and behavioral “stretching,” this book helps you turn excuses into action—on your terms, with self-compassion.
The Brain Health Kitchen
Eating for brain health has never looked—or tasted—so good. In this physician-written cookbook, Dr. Annie Fenn highlights 10 powerful ingredients that support cognitive function and reduce dementia risk. With 100 delicious, approachable recipes (think: Miso-Glazed Cod, Caramelized Apple Quinoa Pancakes, and Coffee-Date Bars), this is more than a guide—it’s a lifestyle upgrade for brains of all ages.
Mindful Drinking: How Cutting Down Can Change Your Life
If you’ve ever promised yourself “just one glass” and woke up regretting it—this one’s for you. Mindful Drinking blends science, psychology, and a refreshingly judgment-free tone to help you rethink your relationship with alcohol. With a four-step plan and real-life strategies, Rosamund Dean shows how cutting back can boost your energy, your mood, and your confidence—without killing your social life.
P.S. None of these are affiliate links—just genuinely great books I wanted to share. I might be slowing down a bit on emails this summer while I focus on some exciting behind-the-scenes projects (including a fresh new look and feel for this newsletter ). But don’t worry—you’ll still be hearing from me. I’ve got big things planned for the second half of the year, and my course is this close to launching. If you haven’t already, be sure to join the waitlist so you’re the first to know when it drops!
Have a wonderful summer!
Colleen
