Posts

Must Read Paleo Books

I’m often asked which Paleo books I’d recommend. It’s great to have a few introductory books to hand to explain everything you need to know about what Paleo is – and how to start. If you’ve got friends interested in learning more about Paleo, these are the books I’d recommend.

Introduction to Paleo Books

The Primal Blueprint. Mark Sisson’s book is a great introduction as to why we should eat a Primal Diet and how to start. He also covers lifestyle factors like sleep and stress and how to exercise – primal style.

Mark Sisson Primal Diet Book

The Paleo Solution. Robb Wolf's book is another good introduction to the Paleo Diet and is written in a very engaging way. As a bio chemist, Robb Wolf is able to talk about the science, but in a very easy to understand way.

Robb Wolf Paleo Diet Book

The Paleo Answer Loren Cordain’s latest book is more on the science side than the practical application side, but a great book for anyone dubious about giving up those deathly whole grains!

Loren Cordain Paleo Diet Book

 

Starting Paleo Books

Once you’ve decided to give Paleo a try, these book are a great way to take you through your transition into Paleo, step by step.

Recipe Books

It’s great to have some recipe books on hand, to demonstrate the huge wealth of menu ideas that are possible on the Paleo diet. These are some great recipe books that I use regularly.

Paleo Recipe BookWhole30 Paleo Book

Books for Deepening Your Paleo Knowledge

Once you’ve grasped the basics and started applying Paleo principles to your day-to-day life, it can be incredibly helpful to explore books that go deeper into the science, anthropology, and psychology behind the diet. These books help answer the “why” questions and give you the confidence to stay committed long term, especially when faced with conflicting health information.

“Deep Nutrition” by Dr. Catherine Shanahan is a fantastic follow-up read that explores the impact of ancestral diets on genetic expression, beauty, and long-term health. It connects the dots between traditional eating and modern chronic diseases, and offers a compelling argument for real food over processed alternatives.

“The Big Fat Surprise” by Nina Teicholz challenges decades of dietary advice, particularly around fat and cholesterol. While not exclusively a Paleo book, it aligns with many Paleo principles and is perfect for those who want to understand why fat isn’t the enemy.

“Why We Get Fat” by Gary Taubes is another must-read if you’re interested in the hormonal drivers of weight gain and insulin resistance. Taubes breaks down the carbohydrate-insulin hypothesis in a way that’s easy to digest and highly relevant to anyone cutting grains and sugar from their diet.

Books for Navigating Paleo with Specific Health Goals

Whether you’re managing an autoimmune condition, struggling with gut issues, or aiming to improve metabolic health, there are several Paleo-aligned books that cater to specific health concerns.

“The Paleo Approach” by Dr. Sarah Ballantyne is the go-to reference for anyone dealing with autoimmune disorders. It’s incredibly detailed and explains not just what to eat, but also the science behind immune function, inflammation, and gut permeability. Her follow-up cookbook makes the protocol more practical to implement.

“Practical Paleo” by Diane Sanfilippo offers tailored meal plans for various conditions, including thyroid health, adrenal fatigue, and fat loss. The first half of the book is educational, while the second half is packed with simple, flavourful recipes.

“The Bulletproof Diet” by Dave Asprey takes a slightly different angle, blending Paleo, keto, and biohacking. It’s great for tech-minded people who want to optimise their performance, although some recommendations (like Bulletproof Coffee) stray from strict Paleo.

Best Paleo Books for Families and Kids

Bringing your family on board with Paleo can be a game-changer, but it does come with challenges — especially if you’re dealing with fussy eaters or children used to processed snacks. Fortunately, there are a few excellent books that make the transition easier and more enjoyable for the whole household.

“Eat Like a Dinosaur” by The Paleo Parents is a brilliant resource for families with young kids. It combines kid-friendly recipes with guidance on meal planning, shopping, and handling social situations. It even includes a storybook section to help explain Paleo to children in a fun and engaging way.

“Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans” by Michelle Tam and Henry Fong is another standout. With its comic-book style format, colourful photos, and humour, it appeals to adults and kids alike. The recipes are creative, approachable, and designed for busy families.

“Paleo Lunches and Breakfasts on the Go” by Diana Rodgers is a lifesaver for parents looking to pack real food into lunchboxes or whip up quick meals during the morning rush.

Books That Blend Paleo with Other Lifestyle Elements

For many, Paleo becomes more than just a way of eating — it becomes a broader philosophy that encompasses movement, sleep, stress management, and environmental health. Several books go beyond food to help you live a well-rounded, ancestral-inspired lifestyle.

“Go Wild” by Dr. John Ratey and Richard Manning is a fascinating exploration of how modern civilisation has disconnected us from our natural rhythms. The book covers everything from movement and nutrition to sleep, play, and social connection.

“The Primal Connection” by Mark Sisson is the perfect companion to “The Primal Blueprint.” It focuses on the non-food aspects of Paleo living and encourages practices like grounding, digital detoxing, and reconnecting with nature.

“Sleep Smarter” by Shawn Stevenson is essential reading for anyone struggling with energy, weight loss, or mood. Good sleep is a crucial component of the Paleo lifestyle, and this book provides clear, actionable advice to improve it.

Cookbooks for Specific Needs and Occasions

While general Paleo cookbooks are fantastic, sometimes it’s helpful to have books tailored to specific situations — whether you’re hosting a dinner party, navigating the holidays, or managing dietary restrictions.

“Paleo Takeout” by Russ Crandall lets you recreate all your favourite restaurant-style meals — without the grains, sugars, or dodgy oils. From General Tso’s chicken to fish tacos, this book shows you how indulgent Paleo can be.

“Paleo Slow Cooker” by Arsy Vartanian is perfect for those who want to come home to a hot, nourishing meal. The recipes are hearty, flavourful, and ideal for batch cooking.

“Against All Grain: Celebrations” by Danielle Walker is a stunning cookbook packed with holiday and special occasion recipes. Think Paleo-friendly stuffing, birthday cakes, and celebratory roasts.

Final Thoughts

There’s no shortage of excellent Paleo books to support you wherever you are on your health journey — from beginner intros and scientific deep dives to family-friendly resources and cookbooks for every occasion. Building a small personal library can help you stay inspired, educated, and motivated long after the novelty of starting Paleo has worn off.

Which of these books are on your shelf? Have you found a hidden gem that’s changed the way you approach Paleo living? Share your favourites in the comments below!

Must read paleo books reading list best top popular primal diet authors-min

PrimalCon 2012

After a 14-hour flight, five movies, no sleep and more intermittent fasting than planned (more on that in a future post) – I made it back to Sydney from PrimalCon yesterday, exhausted – but very inspired!

This was my second year at PrimalCon, so I had a better idea of what to expect this year – and even some wonderful friends from last year I was excited to see again.

Last year was my first time in California, so I assumed it was always hot and sunny there. Packing with that assumption was a big mistake! The weather completely changed on Friday, the first full day of PrimalCon, so much so that the day’s activities were moved inside – thank goodness! I must make sure I bring some warmer clothes next year, just in case.

When I first arrived at the resort, I noticed a few people in minimalist footwear who I knew must be there for PrimalCon – and people drinking energy drinks who I knew I could safely guarantee weren't there for the same reasons!

The PrimalCon Experts

I finally got to meet Primal Girl, Tara Grant in person at registration. We’d been in contact over email, but it’s definitely no substitute for meeting in real life. Tara was there for the whole weekend answering questions, telling her own story and giving ideas to the participants. She really is such an inspiration and looks the image of health!

Last year Barefoot Ted’s session was my introduction to barefoot running. Since then I’ve been wearing Vibrams regularly, so I learnt so much more from him this year. Ted is a great storyteller and teacher. During a break in the rain we went outside for his class. Predictably as soon as we got to the furthest point, the storm came back with a vengeance, giving us even more incentive to put what we’d learnt into practice to sprint back to the hotel as quickly as possible!

Barefoot-Ted-McDonald-Running-PrimalCon-Paleo-Network-min

The sprint clinic with Olympian Michael Stember dovetailed perfectly with the barefoot running class, I’m really looking forward to putting everything I’ve learnt into practice and trying to make my running style look and feel as effortless as both Michael and Barefoot Ted’s.

 

William Vives is a regular at PrimalCon and an expert on kettlebells and fitness and took his session in a corridor of the hotel (the rain was that heavy!) focusing on getting the techniques right. This was a great session as it’s all too easy to get distracted by speed and number of reps – and letting form suffer. I've been using kettlebells for a while, but learnt so much that was completely new to me in William’s class. William gave me so many fantastic tips and advice which I'm so grateful for – I feel like he’s helped to bring my fitness goals a lot closer. If only we had a William Vives in Australia!

William-Vives-Kettlebell-Expert-PrimalCon-Paleo-Network-min

One of the sessions I’d been looking forward to the most was Erwan Le Corre, founder of MovNat. I’d heard him speak at the AHS 2011, but his brand of teaching needs to be on the move, not behind a lectern. Unfortunately my group was the first; we were hoping for a break in the weather, but it just got worse and worse. In true Primal style, we persevered, crawling, jumping and lying on the ground. Despite the weather, it was enough to convince me to sign up for one of his 7-day courses – once I master pull-ups (Erwan says this isn't essential, but I want to get the maximum benefit from his class). Other than the class it was fascinating watching Erwan over the weekend. He never seemed to sit – even at lunch he ate his lunch from a grok squat on his chair. He also seems to look at the world in an entirely different way – I could see him studying the ground and objects, working out how he could get across/ over/ under/ along different surfaces. He really does live and breathe MovNat!

Erwan-Le-Corre-MovNat-PrimalCon-Paleo-Network-min

Mark Sisson took a couple of sessions talking and answering all sorts of different questions. It’s really interesting to hear which topics are hot issues at the moment. Predictably Cold Thermogenesis was of interest, as Jack Kruse has recently brought to the attention of the Paleo community. Ketosis was another issue that was asked about in various guises.

Kelly Starrett was new this year and was such a pleasure to listen to – he spoke about mobility, which is so important, yet really overlooked. I’d planned to catch up with him later to find out more, but got sidetracked with all of the other things that were going on.

I’d barely even noticed Vanessa and Adam Lambert on the schedule with Olympic Lifting. This was one of the choice sessions and I was delighted to have a one-on-one session with Adam. I've been interested in Olympic Lifting for a while, but had never actually tried it before. It was amazing, my favourite session of the weekend! I went from being really unsure of the strange movements, to some great lifting. I want more of this! Vanessa used to train with Robb Wolf and was giving some incredible gymnastics lessons and demonstrations. Perhaps at next year's PrimalCon I’ll give that more of a try.

Chef Rachel Albert was also back from last year, only this year her Paleo cookery demonstration was from a beach house. I’d learnt so much last year, so had high expectations this time – and she didn't disappoint. Her demonstration was full of so many tips, often really simple ideas, but things I’d just never thought of doing before! It’s great to have a chef championing Paleo cooking at PrimalCon

Chef-Rachel-Albert-Cooking-Lesson-PrimalCon-Paleo-Network-min

As you’d expect from PrimalCon, the food was absolutely amazing. I find it so hard to get Turkey and Kale in Australia, so made the most of their abundance! On the first evening we were served a soup and my first thought was that I would obviously have to leave it – then I remembered where I was! It’s such a wonderfully refreshing change knowing that all of the food was 100% Primal, not a grain or legume in sight – and certainly nothing processed.

It’s funny meeting so many people with the same beliefs on nutrition; you’d think all of the conversation would be about being Paleo, but it’s not at all. You already know you have that common basis and so much else to discuss. There were quite a few of us from overseas this year, including a few from Europe and the UK and even another Sydneysider – who’d have thought!

I’ve come away from PrimalCon feeling inspired with new friends and so many new tips and ideas I'm itching to put into practice. I hope to see more of you there again next year, for PrimalCon 2013!

Why Events Like PrimalCon Matter for the Paleo Community

Attending events like PrimalCon is about so much more than just learning new techniques — it’s about immersing yourself in a like-minded community that supports your personal growth, health, and lifestyle choices. For anyone following a Paleo diet in Australia or elsewhere, travelling to an event like this can help solidify your commitment and spark new inspiration to take your primal lifestyle to the next level.

The magic of PrimalCon lies in its combination of expert-led movement sessions, practical health education, and social connection. It brings together Paleo enthusiasts, from complete beginners to seasoned health practitioners, to share ideas, challenge norms, and explore what a natural, ancestral health lifestyle really looks like in today’s modern world.

Whether it's barefoot running with Barefoot Ted, exploring movement patterns with Erwan Le Corre, or delving into real food cooking with Chef Rachel Albert, the sessions offer something that books and podcasts alone can’t provide: hands-on experience and personal connection.

Learning Beyond the Theory

One of the biggest takeaways from events like this is how important it is to learn in a real-world setting. It’s one thing to read about Olympic lifting or MovNat principles; it’s another to actually get one-on-one guidance from professionals who live and breathe it every day. These experiences offer not just better form and technique, but a mindset shift — a more natural, confident approach to health and movement.

Real Food in the Real World

The food at PrimalCon was a standout — and not just because it tasted great. It’s incredibly reassuring to be in an environment where Paleo nutrition is normal. You don’t need to double-check ingredients or ask about gluten, grains, or seed oils. Everything is aligned with how we strive to eat at home: unprocessed, clean, and nourishing.

For those in Australia following the Paleo lifestyle, this can serve as a reminder that building or joining a community of likeminded individuals is worth the effort – even if it starts with just a meetup, a shared meal, or a local group workout.

Bringing the Inspiration Back to Australia

Now back in Sydney, the challenge is to bring this energy and mindset home – continuing to move naturally, eat simply, and connect deeply. I’ve already incorporated a few things I learned into my daily routine: mobility work from Kelly Starrett’s session, form corrections from Olympic lifting, and even the simple act of eating lunch more mindfully (and sometimes from a squat, MovNat-style!).

Events like PrimalCon remind us that Paleo is not a diet trend. It’s a way of living that connects us to our roots – through food, movement, community, and nature.

If you’ve ever considered attending a Paleo event like this, whether in Australia or overseas, I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s an incredible investment in your health, mindset, and long-term motivation. I’ll be counting down until next year’s event – and if you’re going too, I’d love to connect.

Have you attended PrimalCon or any other ancestral health or Paleo-focused event? What was your biggest takeaway? Let me know in the comments below.

7,497 Miles to PrimalCon

One of the highlights of 2011 so far was the weekend I went to PrimalCon 2011 in California in April.  I enjoyed it so much, that I booked my ticket for the 2012 event as soon as the tickets went on sale this morning.

Sunset at PrimalCon-min

Sunset at PrimalCon

I hadn't realised quite how far America was from Australia when I booked this year.  I went at quite short notice and used my air miles, so didn't pay too much attention to minor details like flight times.  I was trying to minimise time off work, so I left Australia on the Friday and flew back on the Sunday night.  This was a big mistake!  I now know very well that Los Angeles is a very long 14 hour 7,497 mile flight from Sydney.  To make matters worse, as I used my air miles, I was assigned a very impressive route of Sydney to Brisbane, a night in Brisbane, a flight from Brisbane to Melbourne, then finally I got on my international flight at Melbourne!

It was all for the best however, as I met a wonderful new friend on the flight to LA, who was also attending PrimalCon (with just two people going from Australia, what were the chances of us being on the same flight?)

I'm planning to make PrimalCon 2012 into a much more sensible length America trip, especially as it falls the weekend after Easter.

I made some lifelong Primal friends in April, in fact, I spent a wonderful week in Texas with two of my PrimalCon friends, and met up with some others at the AHS in August.  I'm really looking forward to catching up with them and making some more Primal friends.

Over the whole weekend, the food was incredible.  So much was local Californian produce and it was great to have things like Kale and Turkey, which I find so difficult to find here in Australia (if you know of any good sources here, please let me know in the comments!)

One of my highlights from the weekend was the running workshop with Barefoot Ted.   I learnt so much from him and my running style has changed forever.  In fact, it was his workshop that inspired me to buy my Vibrams!  I'm thrilled to see Barefoot Ted is back again for next year’s event – hopefully I can refine my technique further still.
Barefoot-Ted-PrimalCon-Paleo-Network-min

Erwan Le Corre is a new presenter for the 2012 event.  I really enjoyed his talk and demonstration on MovNat at the AHS this year, and to have the opportunity to have a small group workshop with the guy who does this is incredibly exciting!

I just received my latest Amazon book order of Exuberant Animal by Frank Forencich yesterday – so couldn't believe it when I read Frank Forencich is also a presenter at PrimalCon!  I’d better get started on his book…

Hopefully we'll be able to get Mark Sisson over to Australia/ New Zealand in the near future, but in the meantime…  anyone else coming to PrimalCon with me?