Looking for nutrition books? We've gathered 17 free nutrition books in PDF on topics like food and nutrition, human nutrition, clinical nutrition, and dietetics.
These books come from trusted sources like the WHO, university programs, and organizations like Action Against Hunger. Whether you study nutrition science or want to learn how diet affects your body, you'll find practical, science-based resources.
Browse by topic or scroll through the full list. Every book is free to read online or download as PDF.
Nutrition Textbooks
These are university-level nutrition textbooks that cover how the body processes food, nutrients, and energy. From introductory courses to intermediate readings, each book is open access.
Comprehensive OER textbook covering all major nutrition topics, from macronutrients and vitamins to body weight, eating disorders, and lifespan nutrition. Written by three registered dietitian nutritionists.
Alice Callahan, Heather Leonard, Med, Tamberly Powell
Extensive open-access textbook from the University of Hawaii covering nutrition fundamentals, the human body, macronutrients, micronutrients, energy balance, and lifespan nutrition across 1,200+ pages.
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Food Science and Human Nutrition Program
Open-access textbook covering nutrition basics, healthy diets, digestion, macronutrients, micronutrients, lifespan nutrition, and food politics. Part of the LibreTexts OER platform.
Authoritative textbook edited by two leading nutrition scientists from the Universities of Otago and Sydney. Covers nutrients, foods, nutrition-related diseases, and public health nutrition across 716 pages.
Training module for community health workers covering general nutrition, malnutrition assessment, breastfeeding, vitamin deficiencies, and community-based nutrition programs.
Practical guides on food and nutrition from the WHO, FAO, and USDA. These books cover dietary guidelines, meal planning, and how food choices shape your health.
Official U.S. government dietary guidelines providing evidence-based nutritional advice, healthy eating patterns, food group recommendations, and strategies to reduce chronic disease risk.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, USDA
FAO publication offering practical guidance on family meal planning, food groups, special nutritional needs for children and mothers, and strategies for healthy eating with limited resources.
WHO publication on mainstreaming nutrition through the life-course, covering maternal nutrition, infant and young child feeding, micronutrient supplementation, and nutrition in emergencies.
Comprehensive textbook covering food science, nutrition principles, diet therapy, vitamins, minerals, meal planning, and therapeutic diets for various health conditions. A well-established reference now in its 5th edition.
Undergraduate textbook covering food groups, nutrients, digestion, metabolism, diet planning, and food preservation. Includes illustrations and exercises for each topic.
Resources for health professionals and students in clinical nutrition, nursing, and specialized fields. These books cover topics from cancer nutrition to sports nutrition science and child care.
OpenStax peer-reviewed textbook designed for nursing students, covering nutrition assessment, macronutrients, micronutrients, and nutrition across the lifespan with clinical applications.
University of Kentucky medical elective eBook covering precision nutrition, nutrigenomics, the Mediterranean and ketogenic diets, cancer nutrition, and chronic kidney disease nutrition.
Practical guide from Cancer Council Australia for cancer patients and their families, covering eating well during and after treatment, managing side effects, and nutritional strategies for recovery.
Government handbook for child care facilities covering infant feeding, food allergies, menu planning, healthy snacks, family-style dining, and recipes for young children.
Lab manual from Montana State University for upper-division sport nutrition courses covering exercise intensity, glycemic responses, hydration testing, and metabolic health assessment.
Mary P. Miles, Stephanie M.G. Wilson, and Morgan L. Chamberlin
