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As I get older, I’m not interested in reading any book that has diet in the title. We all know that “diets” just don’t work in the long term. What drew me to The Foodie Diet by Ella Davar, however, is that it is a book that takes a non-diet approach to eating. It’s more about how to eat the foods that you and your body loves. Davar introduces the reader to a “YOU-tarian” approach to eating.

The cover of 'The Foodie Diet' by Ella Davar, featuring a smiling woman with long hair, surrounded by fresh fruits and vegetables on a kitchen counter.

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Published on: November 11, 2025

From the publisher: A non-diet approach to optimal health and longevity

The Foodie Diet challenges conventional dieting by merging culinary pleasure with science-backed longevity principles. Drawing on her expertise as a dietitian and her personal journey as a food lover, Ella Davar, RD, introduces a revolutionary, Blue Zone-inspired approach to sustainable health and well-being—one that transcends restrictive diets and calorie counting.

Rooted in gut-healing and longevity science, the book is structured around Ella’s core principles:

Food as Medicine: Personalize dietary strategies for optimal metabolic and hormonal health.

Emotional Reset: Transform cravings into intentional, nourishing choices.

Gut Health: Unlock the power of the gut-brain connection for overall well-being.

Bio-Individuality: Decode your body’s unique nutritional needs.

Eliminating Unfriendly Foods: Identify and replace foods that don’t serve your health.

Love-Infused Nutrition: Build a balanced, gut-healing, anti-inflammatory diet.

Mindful Eating: Turn meals into an act of love, gratitude, and self-care.

Practical Guidance: Navigate dining out, travel, and real-life eating situations effortlessly.

What I Liked About The Foodie Diet:

I love to read and watch anything that has to do with health. It’s my new obsession, so I was excited to read a book that had to with eating the right foods for your body. What is right for one person, won’t necessarily be right for someone else. My gut health, hormones, and metabolism are completely different than my husband’s. This is why I appreciated the “You-tarian” approach to food.

The Foodie Diet is well-researched. It is obvious that Davar’s passion is healthy eating. She is well-known for her study of gut-brain science. I really enjoyed “Pro Tip From a Dietician” throughout each chapter. I was most interested in learning the effects of different foods and how they would help or hurt my body.

The first half of the book was the most interesting to me. It is all of her tips and tricks to healthful eating. She does include recipes in the back of the book; I’m not a good cook, so I skimmed this part, but they did sound good. I DO want to try the healthy meatballs recipe, though. I read this on a Kindle, which I don’t really recommend if you are getting this book for the recipes.

What I Would Change About The Book:

I found the organizational flow slightly challenging at times. The topics shifted quickly or were repeated at times. This slight lack of organizational coherence is the only reason I docked a star. This might be because I was reading it on a Kindle, however. It didn’t stop me from enjoying the book.

Quotes From The Foodie Diet:

I highlighted A LOT from this book, but here are some of my favorite quotes that stood out to me.

** “The goal of becoming what I call a professional foodie: someone who eats their way to a healthier life and does it with enjoyment and love.”

** “Remember: The goal isn’t perfection but becoming a qualitarian. Choose high-quality, minimally processed foods 80% of the time. For the other 20%, when you do indulge in foods that don’t love you back, make sure they’re worth it. Choose quality versions of your favorites rather than processed alternatives.”

Life is too short to not enjoy the food that is provided us. It’s all about learning what works for your own body. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good hamburger or a pizza. But as she states, you should be eating 80% of foods that are clean and nutrient-dense. The other 20% is indulging in pleasurable foods. That being said, I am learning to love that 80% even more than I used to in my earlier days.

** “If I truly love myself, what would I choose to eat today?”

I feel like I want to put this on a sign for my refrigerator door. Actually, it should go on my pantry door. That’s where the treats are stored. But honestly, isn’t that a great question to ask yourself on a daily basis?

** “What you really need is to get to know your own body to find what’s right for you – and become a you-tarian who simply eats what your body loves!”

Davar does discuss having different tests to find this out. These days I listen to my gut and do my research. What foods are best eaten for a woman my age? How can they be paired together to reach my total nutrients for the day? There are many considerations.

AND MY FAVORITE QUOTE…

** “Your brain is 60% fat.”

I mean, I’m blaming the numbers on my scale on my big brain. Enough said!

I’ve only scratched the surface of the insightful tips and deep research packed into this book. If you’re ready to ditch the restrictive diet mentality and start treating food as an act of self-love, The Foodie Diet is an interesting read.