Eat to Heal (Lee Holmes, Rockpool Publishing)
In Eat to Heal, clinical nutritionist and wholefoods chef Lee Holmes (Heal Your Gut) turns her attention to inflammation, exploring both its role in maintaining health and the consequences of chronic inflammation.
The book opens with an overview of inflammation itself: why it is an essential bodily process and what happens when it persists. Holmes explains how genetics, mental health, gut health, diet, lifestyle and environmental factors can all contribute to ongoing inflammation.
The book’s full-colour design and thoughtful typesetting help make these concepts approachable. Information is broken into digestible sections, supported by lists, breakout boxes and tables that allow readers to navigate complex material with ease.
Holmes positions gut health as central to immune function, describing the gut as the “command centre for your body’s immune responses”. She explores ways to restore balance through nutrition, movement and nervous system regulation. Topics range from Ayurveda and vagus nerve exercises to journalling, strength training, vitamins and nutrients.
What sets Eat to Heal apart is its broad, holistic approach. This is a book for readers who are open to a mix of evidence-based nutrition advice and complementary health practices.
The Personal MAP Protocol section puts theory into practice, beginning with a quiz that helps readers assess their current level of inflammation and identify next steps. The inclusion of a build-your-own MAP meal bowl is particularly useful for readers wanting practical guidance beyond individual recipes.
For those seeking more structure, the book’s 60 anti-inflammatory recipes, developed by Tamsin Holmes, make up the remainder of the book. They are beautifully photographed and organised with icons that signal whether they are anti-inflammatory champions, nervous system nurturers, or cellular energy boosters. The collection covers breakfasts, mains, snacks and desserts. A useful appendix outlining common nutrients and supplements rounds out the book.
Accessible and encouraging throughout, Eat to Heal makes the prospect of addressing inflammation feel achievable, whatever a reader’s starting point.
Books+Publishing reviewer: Jess Lomas is the reviews editor at Books+Publishing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.
Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.
Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews
