5 Must-Have Cookbooks: How to Be Successful on the Mediterranean Diet

5 Must-Have Cookbooks #1

The Mediterranean Diet Weight Loss Solution: The 28 Day Kick-Start Plan for Lasting Weight Loss

This cookbook from Julene Stassou, MS, RD is the absolute must-have for anyone who is beginning the Mediterranean Diet and would like to lose some weight. Stassou is a registered dietitian and has a culinary background. She is of Greek descent and shares the joys of her experiences with food and family, especially her yiayia.

The book starts with a section Stassou named, “Your Mediterranean Diet Primer” and I suggest you take the time to read it. There is a wealth of information that outlines why the Mediterranean Diet works and how to jump start your metabolism. She covers portion control, setting smart goals, exercise and throws in rest and relaxation for good measure.

My Favorite Cookbook

Informative without being preachy, it is honestly the best handbook for a newbie. The food is simple and delicious. I plan my meals weekly, and you can always find some of her recipes on my menu. Every once in awhile, when we want to take off a pound or two, we return to what Mark calls, “a diet on the diet” which means, we use only recipes from this cookbook for a few days. This is by far my favorite cookbook and I use almost every recipe regularly. My photo featured on this blog is a recipe from this cookbook, “Chicken with Onions, Potatoes, Figs and Carrots.”

Stassou claims she is providing a 28 day menu, it is actually a 42 day menu because she adds two bonus weeks with a shopping list for each week. An affordable choice, the layout is well appointed for ease of use. The page number of the recipes are numbered at the start of each section, as well as two indexes in the back. It is as easy to use this cookbook as it is to eat the delicious meals!