A practical collection of documentaries, books, tools and sites I regularly recommend and use myself.
Items marked with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, sometimes with a discount for you. I only recommend things I genuinely use, trust, or value.
This may change how you think about diabetes – especially if you’ve been taught that sugar is the primary cause and simply reducing sugar is the solution.
Forks Over Knives (2011)
The documentary that started it all for me. A clear introduction to the link between what we eat and chronic disease, told through clinicians and real-world examples.
What the health (2017)
A provocative look at diet, chronic disease, and the role of industry influence. Less nuanced than some others, but often a powerful wake-up call.
Earthlings (2005)
Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, this is a foundational animal rights film exploring humanity’s use of animals across food, clothing, entertainment, and research.
Dominion (2018)
I don’t recommend this lightly, but I do believe it’s important viewing – particularly for anyone who consumes or uses animal products. It documents how animals are used across food, clothing, entertainment, and research, often described as a modern, Australian counterpart to Earthlings.
Seaspiracy (2021)
An investigation into the environmental impact of commercial fishing and the disconnect between sustainability messaging and reality.
A comprehensive, evidence-heavy overview of how diet and lifestyle influence chronic disease risk, with practical food-based guidance. Check for the updated 10th anniversary edition, either out now or very soon!
A lifestyle-medicine approach to brain health and Alzheimer’s prevention, integrating nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress.
A more practical follow-up with structured steps for implementing the principles outlined in The Alzheimer’s Solution. Beautifully illustrated, with half of the book dedicated to delicious brain-healthy recipes. Predominantly a cookbook.
A detailed look at insulin resistance and blood sugar control using a low-fat, plant-based approach, grounded in both science and lived experience.
A landmark work on the role of diet in heart disease reversal, based on decades of clinical experience.
A companion cookbook to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, featuring low-fat, whole food, plant-based recipes suitable for those living with heart disease or aiming to reduce their risk.
A practical, evidence-based guide to plant-based eating from a gastroenterologist, with a strong emphasis on gut health and sustainability. Predominantly a cookbook.
A deep dive into gut health and fibre diversity, explaining the microbiome in a way that’s both accessible and practical. An easy and enjoyable read that will have you laughing as you’re learning, with the way Dr B explains things.
A companion to Fibre Fueled, translating gut-health principles into everyday meals without needing perfection. Separates the recipes into sections based on whether dietary restriction is needed or not (includes recipes for those on a low-FODMAP diet and for those with a range of intolerances). He also teaches his GROWTH strategy – a practical, science-backed plan to help readers identify and manage food intolerances and digestive sensitivities (and realise that an insensitivity now need not always be one).
I’ve used mine almost daily for over 10 years – often multiple times a day. It produces exceptionally smooth sauces, flours, and blends, and their warranty support has been the best I’ve ever dealt with. I use an older model (TNC VM0109), which may be more robust than some newer models, based on the experiences of people close to me.
I’m always happy to invest in tools that genuinely support my health – and yes, an ice-cream machine can do that. It makes it easy to create delicious ice creams where you control the ingredients, while still allowing for more indulgent versions when you want them. I own the N300ANZ model.
My go-to kitchen workhorse – so much so that I shipped one in from the UK before it was available in Australia and have used it almost daily since. I use it for pressure-cooked meals that taste slow-cooked, seitan, rice and other grains, cooking dried legumes, large batches of food for my dog, and yoghurt (not all models include the yoghurt function, so it’s worth checking). What I love most is the set-and-forget ease, and the safety was a key factor for me – Instant Pot is the only pressure cooker I’ve ever felt completely confident using. I own the IP-DU060 model.
Because my Vitamix model isn’t compatible with the newer personal blending cups, this has been my go-to for small batches. After mixed experiences with other brands, this more basic-looking unit has proven impressively robust and produces a surprisingly creamy blend for its price point. I own the NutriBullet Mega Pack (1000 watts).
After trying multiple sleep masks with built-in headphones, this was the first option that didn’t cause even mild pain after a full night sleeping on my side. The price initially felt extreme, but after exhausting every other solution for white noise (including custom-moulded earplugs), it was 100% worth it. The blackout is exceptional – the deep eye cups allow you to blink freely and completely block out light. I will wake up to bright sun around me, having no idea it is actually morning! Note: these aren’t noise-cancelling; they’re slimline headphones designed for comfort.
I first found these during Dry January when I wanted an alcohol-free option that felt more interesting than mineral water without the sugar load in a normal softdrink. I’m very sensitive to stevia and usually dislike anything sweetened with it, but in these I don’t notice it at all – and genuinely enjoy them. All Remedy products are vegan except the Immune+ Shots (and despite the name, the “honey extract” ingredient in some of the products isn’t actual honey).
These are alcohol-free drinks that use nootropics and adaptogens – compounds that can support the nervous system and stress response – rather than alcohol or sugar. They’re not sweet, sitting closer in sweetness to Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling flavoured water than a soft drink. I tend to use HOPR in social settings when I want the ritual of a drink without the after-effects, and EXHALE more as an evening wind-down option to support relaxation and sleep. Get 15% off your order via this link.
Decaf Co completely changed how I think about decaf. I drink their decaf daily and rotate between caffeinated and decaf coffee to keep my overall caffeine where I want it – and their beans are genuinely indistinguishable from regular coffee (no one I tested could tell the difference). Their education also explains why most decaf tastes awful, and why this doesn’t. I even bought a second coffee machine for this – explained in this blog.
Readwise saves highlights from everything you read and resurfaces them over time, including via optional short daily emails, so ideas from books don’t just fade away. It helps turn reading into something that actually sticks, whether you’re revisiting insights years later or pulling patterns together when you need them. Using my link gives you a 2-month free trial (instead of 1).
Reader is Readwise’s companion app for saving and highlighting articles, PDFs, and even YouTube transcripts in one place, making it easier to read now and return to later. Using my link gives you a 2-month free trial (instead of 1).
Todoist replaced the chaos of scattered lists, notes and far too many phone alarms for me. Everything now lives in one calm place, organised by project (work, home, life), with reminders set for tomorrow, next month, and even years down the track. Having it across my phone and computer means my brain no longer has to hold onto things – and the constant background noise of alarms is gone, which feels quite peaceful in comparison. I use the paid plan now but their free plan is quite comprehensive.
Rebecca’s site is my go-to when I want something that’s genuinely nourishing but still impressive enough to serve to guests. Being Australian-based, the recipes use familiar, accessible ingredients. Her Chocolate Mousse with Orange and Cardamom is a standout – you’d never guess it’s purely made from only wholesome, whole-food ingredients.
More than just great recipes – Brandi teaches as she goes, with clear, detailed instructions and explanations of why things work, which makes it far harder to mess up. You end up learning how to cook better, not just following a recipe. Her 20-Minute Alfredo is my most-used recipe by far, and I will serve it to the fussiest eaters, who love it. It’s my go-to white sauce for lasagne (always doubled – I never bother with a single batch).
Lori’s recipes are consistently reliable and genuinely delicious, spanning everything from whole-food, plant-based meals to more indulgent vegan options. She also shares clever, homemade high-protein alternatives to pricier products. Her oil-free, lower-fat lemon tart was a standout in our house – even from people who dislike tofu and couldn’t believe it was the base.
Nisha is a Registered Dietitian with a talent for creating longevity-promoting, nourishing recipes that are affordable, approachable, and genuinely delicious. I subscribe to her weekly meal plans and new-recipe emails and am always excited to try what comes through – and consistently impressed by how good they are. Many of her recipes are high-protein, and she can even make kale salad drool-worthy, like this kale filled Miso Bowl salad.
Nisha’s number one priority is flavour, and it shows. While many of her recipes are whole-food focused, she doesn’t cook oil-free – instead she strikes a balanced, real-world approach to healthy vegan cooking that tastes genuinely incredible. Her cookbook and cooking bible Big Vegan Flavor is both a masterclass in building flavour and a joy to cook from, and her website is packed with standout recipes. She’s also a contributor to New York Times Cooking. The Muhammara dip alone is worth the visit (if you’re oil-free, just leave it out – still delicious).
When flavour is my top priority, or I need something that will work first time without stress (and I’m not focused on it being strictly whole-food), this is a site I rely on. Alison’s recipes are dependable and consistently delicious. Her feta – incidentally oil-free – and her quiche (which, if desired, you can make with an oil-free tart crust from My Quiet Kitchen) are both standouts.
Derek Sarno is a chef with exceptional flavour intuition, teaching pro techniques to everyday people for incredible plant-based meals made from whole foods. He also does the most amazing things with mushrooms! A must-follow for foodies. (YouTube channel)
