Cookbook to introduce healthy eating?

FebruaryStars

Hi everyone, I'm looking for a good cookbook for my friend for Christmas. She's highly disorganised, always in a rush and eats very badly. She has recently told me that she wants to change her diet as she's been feeling weak from skipping breakfast and cranky from her messed-up blood sugar. She usually has no breakfast, or a muffin and coffee while commuting. Her lunches and dinners are unhealthy convenience foods (and she's really thin!).
I'm looking for a book that will introduce her to very simple, quick healthy meals. Especially quick and healthy breakfasts. I've looked at a few healthy eating books on Amazon and most of them seem to focus on super-healthy, elaborate meals. She just needs the basics for now.


Any recommendations greatly appreciated. Thanks

Latatian

I can't root through my cookery books at the moment, but one thing I would suggest is to go to charity shops and have a look for older cookbooks. Not healthy ones per se, but the ones that teach you the basics- often 'housekeeping for the busy person' or 'cooking in a bedsit' or 'basic guide to cooking' or whatever. Some of 'em are all about elaborate cooking, but I find that you've a better chance of getting simple, healthy meals that aren't too fussy to make. Like you I've noticed that 'healthy' on the cover often means the recipes will be difficult or use exotic ingredients- and often aren't all that healthy.

'Student' is another good one- modern student cookbooks are often about trying to eat very healthy, providing good breakfasts etc. on a normal budget. That is if you think she won't be annoyed at getting a book with 'student' on the cover. There are some books out there that focus on lunches, too, that might help. May add to this once I can get to my cookbooks! Good luck!

FebruaryStars

Latatian wrote: »

I can't root through my cookery books at the moment, but one thing I would suggest is to go to charity shops and have a look for older cookbooks. Not healthy ones per se, but the ones that teach you the basics- often 'housekeeping for the busy person' or 'cooking in a bedsit' or 'basic guide to cooking' or whatever. Some of 'em are all about elaborate cooking, but I find that you've a better chance of getting simple, healthy meals that aren't too fussy to make. Like you I've noticed that 'healthy' on the cover often means the recipes will be difficult or use exotic ingredients- and often aren't all that healthy.

'Student' is another good one- modern student cookbooks are often about trying to eat very healthy, providing good breakfasts etc. on a normal budget. That is if you think she won't be annoyed at getting a book with 'student' on the cover. There are some books out there that focus on lunches, too, that might help. May add to this once I can get to my cookbooks! Good luck!

Thanks so much. Some great ideas there

Mrs Fox

Check out 'David Gillick's Kitchen' cookbook. Healthy, simple, and most importantly he uses ingredients you can easily source from your local supermarket, rather than specialist/health shops.

raemie10

If I was you, I would go to your local library and have a look...
My local library (Ringsend) has so many cookbooks at any given time, including new releases (Susan Jane White, deliciously Ella etc) and you can order in any book that you like as well.
Then if you really like it, you can buy a hard copy..

groovyg

I borrowed a book by Dale Pinnock called The Medicinal chef from the library last year and found it really good. The recipes are simple and easy to make and the majority of recipes don't have a massive amount of ingredients. I think I got in Pembroke library Ballsbridge.
David Gillicks is good as is Derval O Rourkes, as another poster said have a look in the library.