The 20 Best Diabetes Books You Need to Read (2024)
With so much conflicting information on the internet, finding the right resources to help manage diabetes can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’ve done the research for you as a Registered Dietitian & Certified Diabetes Educator and compiled a list of the 20 best diabetes books to get you started.
Whether you’re trying to get a realistic understanding of diabetes, how to manage it with food and exercise, or cope with a diabetes diagnosis and burnout, you may want to add these books to your reading list!
This article contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own.
The Best Diabetes Management Books
These diabetes books are a great resource for managing your diabetes as a whole person. Written by doctors, registered dietitians, and certified diabetes educators, they offer solid advice for those newly diagnosed as well as those who have been living with diabetes for years.
Whether you have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetics, gestational diabetes, or pre-diabetics, there is something for everyone.
Mayo Clinic The Essential Diabetes Book
By M. Regina Castro, MD
Whether you or a loved one are living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, Mayo Clinic The Essential Diabetes Book is a practical manual for learning the ins and outs of diabetes. In this book, endocrinologist M. Regina Castro delves into specific topics like how to monitor your blood sugar, incorporate healthy eating and exercise to lose weight, tips to maintain a healthy weight, how to get the most from your medications, and different diabetes technology options. Get it now
Managing Type 2 Diabetes for Dummies
By the American Diabetes Association
Written for anyone diagnosed or caring for someone with type 2 diabetes, Managing Type 2 Diabetes For Dummies is an essential guide to understanding the effects of diabetes and knowing what steps to take to successfully manage this chronic illness.
With the authorities at the American Diabetes Association on your side, you will have a practical handbook for preventing complications and managing diabetes with confidence! Get it now
The Prediabetes Diet Plan
By Hillary Wright, M.Ed, RD
This book provides a practical, empowering guide to managing and reversing prediabetes through diet and exercise.
In The Prediabetes Diet Plan, registered dietitian Hillary Wright, explains insulin resistance and offers a comprehensive strategy of diet and lifestyle change, which has been proven more effective than medication.
With sections on meal planning, grocery shopping, dining out, supplements, and exercise, you can make healthier everyday choices that affect real change on your insulin levels and overall well-being. Get it now
Complete Diabetes Guide
By Karen Graham RD,CDCES & Dr. Mansur Shomali MD, CM
The Complete Diabetes Guide offers new easy-to-understand content based on the latest medical expertise on diabetes from Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Karen Graham and Endocrinologist Mansur Shomali.
This book is a vital resource for anyone who has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or who is at risk of developing it.
The book is packed with diabetes basics, medication management, and a 7-Deal Meal Plan to take the guess-work out of a week’s worth of healthy eating. Get it now
30 Days to Tame Type 2 Diabetes
By Julie Cunningham, MPH, RDN, LDN, CDCES
30 Days to Tame Type 2 Diabetes, written by dietitian and diabetes care & education specialist, Julie Cunningham, is a concise and actionable book for those with prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes who want to understand how to manage their blood sugars with food, exercise, and medication. Get it now
My Sweet Life Successful Women with Diabetes
By Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDCES
For women with diabetes who need role models and a little inspiration, My Sweet Life is written for the newly-diagnosed woman overwhelmed with her diabetes condition. This uplifting book also works well for all woman living with diabetes who could also benefit from inspirational stories to encourage and motivate self-care (especially if she is already trying to cope with some of the complications resulting from diabetes).
Beverly S. Adler, PhD, CDCES and 23 contributing authors make up this compilation book about successful women with diabetes. Get it now
Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes
By Ginger Vieira & Jennifer C. Smith RD, CDCES
In this book, Ginger Vieira and Jennifer Smith, CDCES & RD, guide you through preparing for pregnancy, from conception to birth, along with the challenges of managing your blood sugars during postpartum with Type 1 diabetes. Get it now
Real Food for Gestational Diabetes
By Lily Nichols, RDN, CDCES, CLT
Real Food for Gestational Diabetes offers an alternative to the conventional nutrition approach and embraces nutrient-dense, delicious foods that nourish you and baby without causing high blood sugar.
Prenatal nutritionist, dietitian, and diabetes educator, Lily Nichols, sets the record straight, offering revamped carbohydrate recommendations and exercise guidelines based on the latest clinical research.
With this book, you’ll learn how the right prenatal nutrition can reduce the likelihood you’ll need insulin by 50%, foods to emphasize to provide your baby with the right nutrients for optimal development, and what to do after delivery to prevent Type 2 diabetes. Get it now
The Best Diabetes Diet Books
It can be tricky to determine what foods you should be eating with diabetes and portion sizes that are helpful for managing your blood sugar—all while trying to get dinner on the table. This section of diabetes “diet” books make it easy.
Not only will you find delicious, diabetes-friendly recipes created by dietitians, you’ll also learn to carb count and make sensible choices when meal planning, grocery shopping, and eating out.
Choose Your Foods: Foods List For Diabetes
By the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Diabetes Association
For nearly 70 years, Choose Your Foods has been the standard for diabetes education and meal planning.
Written by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Diabetes Association, this updated and redesigned booklet features the choices approach for diabetes meal planning, expanded food lists, and eating and physical activity tips for managing diabetes.
It also features updated carbohydrate, protein, and fat information for a wide variety of foods and beverages that reflect the diverse populations living with diabetes. Get it now
2-Day Diabetes Diet
By Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES
In The 2-Day Diabetes Diet, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Erin Palinski-Wade simplifies the question of what you can eat with diabetes by using the ground-breaking research of intermittent fasting on reversing insulin resistance.
There are no forbidden foods and no carb-counting, just a practical and easy-to-follow 5:2 intermittent fasting plan—which has been shown in research to promote weight loss, shrink belly fat, and stabilize your blood sugar levels.
This book includes a 2-week meal plan, over meal options, and 50 diabetes-friendly recipes along with sample exercise routines. Get it now
7-Day Blood Sugar Balanced Meal Plan Ebook
By Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES
This meal plan is designed by nationally recognized Registered Dietitian & diabetes expert Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES. It is a simple, easy-to-follow plan that will help you to improve your blood sugar, reduce insulin resistance, and lose weight.
With three calorie plans to choose from, you’ll receive 7 full days of blood sugar balanced meals, easy recipes, complete shopping lists, an easy to use food tracker, and goal setting sheets.
Diabetes Create Your Plate Meal Prep Cookbook
By Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, FAND
In the Diabetes Create Your Plate Meal Prep Cookbook, Registered Dietitian, Toby Amidor, presents and explains the popular Diabetes Plate Method with 100 delicious recipes, and 5 different meal plans that range in complexity for beginners to experienced meal preppers.
Specific food safety concerns are outlined for people with diabetes along with helpful shopping, cooking or ingredient substitution tips, and all recipes contain nutritional information and step-by-step guidance for creating multiple dishes at one time. Get it now
The Diabetic Cookbook and Meal Plan for the Newly Diagnosed
By Lori Zanini RD, CDE
Manage your diabetes and get control of your health in as early as 4 weeks with the Diabetic Cookbook and Meal Plan for the Newly Diagnosed.
Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Lori Zanini teaches you how to create and enjoy meals confidently with a clearly defined 4-week meal plan and more than 100 flavorful, nourishing recipes.
This diabetic cookbook makes it easier to not only manage your disease—but to begin to thrive. Get it now
The Easy Diabetes Desserts Cookbook
By Mary Ellen Phipps, RDN
Let registered dietitian Mary Ellen Phipps revamp your low-sugar dessert menu with sixty delicious recipes for cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, and more.
Each decadent dessert is high in plant-based fats, fiber, and/or protein, helping your body to slowly digest sugar and prevent blood sugar spikes.
And Mary Ellen teaches you all the low-sugar ingredient swaps and secrets she knows, so you can reinvent your own favorite recipes to better suit your needs! Get it now
Eat Out, Eat Well
By Hope S. Warshaw RD, CDCES
In Eat Out, Eat Well, dietitian and diabetes educator Hope Warshaw, creates individual strategy guides for a wide variety of cuisines, ranging from everyday burger shops to ethnic choices.
Each style of restaurant includes healthy meal options, which recommend certain dishes and portion sizes, and includes nutrient counts to help identify healthy choices.
There’s information on what to avoid and how to go about making special requests. For anyone trying to manage their diabetes but looking to have dinner out, this is an indispensable guide. Get it now
The Best Diabetes Book on Exercise
Staying active allows you to better manage your diabetes by keeping your blood sugar levels within range.
Exercise also improves your cardiovascular fitness, reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
These books were all written by professionals who also live with diabetes. They share their tips for managing diabetes and exercise.
Diabetes & Keeping Fit For Dummies
By the American Diabetes Association & Dr. Sheri R. Colberg
Featuring everything from a starter walking plan to strength and resistance training plans, Diabetes & Keeping Fit For Dummies offers all the guidance and step-by-step instruction you need to make exercise a priority in your diabetes management.
This informative, down-to-earth guide shows you how to incorporate exercise into your routine, even if you haven’t been in a gym since high school. Get it now
The Athlete’s Guide to Diabetes
By Dr. Sheri R. Colberg
Whether you’re a recreational exerciser or a competitive athlete, The Athlete’s Guide to Diabetes has the training and performance advice you need to remain active while effectively managing your diabetes.
Renowned researcher and diabetes expert Dr. Sheri Colberg offers best practices and tips for managing blood glucose levels for athletes of all ages with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Get it now
The Best Diabetes Books on Mental Health & Self-Help
Chances are, if you’ve lived with diabetes for more than a few years, you’ve experienced burnout at some point. Luckily, there are a handful of books that can help you feel less alone, improve your mental health approach, and offer tips about approaching the daily burdens of diabetes.
Diabetes: 365 Tips for Living Well
By Susan Weiner, RDN, CDCES & Paula Ford-Martin
Filled with practical tips and support to help you deal with the stress and lifestyle changes that come with living with diabetes each day, Diabetes: 365 Tips for Living Well offers reliable, easy to implement ways to face challenges, restore health, and live your life to the fullest with diabetes.
Written by Susan Weiner, the 2015 AADE Diabetes Educator of the Year, and Paula Ford-Martin, an award-winning health writer, this empowering guide is packed with information to help you take control of your life. Get it now
Thriving With Diabetes
By Paul Rosman & David Eldeman
Thriving with Diabetes empowers you to take charge of your diabetes, so you don’t just deal with your symptoms, but change the way you think to improve your health, happiness, and quality of life.
Through a simple four-step process, you’ll learn how to intuitively understand your blood sugars and what causes both good and bad numbers. This proactive approach results in the ability to manage diabetes personally, not just by a set of notes from the doctor. Get it now
Diabetes Burnout
By Wlliam H. Polonsky, PhD, CDE
Dr. Polonsky is one of the go-to experts on the mental health and psychosocial aspects of diabetes, and his book is chock full of tips on dealing with diabetes burnout.
Written with compassion and a sprinkle of humor, this author understands the emotional rollercoaster of managing a chronic illness and gives you the tools you need to keep from being overwhelmed.
The book addresses issues such as dealing with friends and family and how you can better handle the stress for better health. Get it now
Looking for more diabetes resources? Add these to your reading list!
Newly Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes? Start Here
What Are Normal Blood Sugar Levels?
How To Reverse Prediabetes Naturally