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Welcome to the
Health Food History Library

~ A Public Resource ~

This website and its archives is intended to preserve the legacy, stories, and history of the health and natural foods movement- with its eccentrics, fanatics, and visionaries.

Information is the empowering tool that allows us to make healthy choices to protect ourselves, our families and loved ones. Healthfoodhistory.org is designed to remind and rekindle our awareness of the controversies, conspiracies, and challenges faced by the pioneering men and women of the past- legacies that continue to inspire and empower people today.

Sex, Diet and Debility in Jacksonian America: Sylvester Graham and Health Reform
1980
Stephen Nissenbaum
Explores Graham’s influence on diet, morality, and health reform in the 19th century.
Botanical / Herbal
botanical-herbal
Eccentrics, Fanatics, Visionaries
eccentrics-fanatics-visionaries
History
history
Simple Food for the Good Life
1980
Helen Nearing
Another important guidebook by the Nearings. Their writings and lifestyle were role models and mentors for many in the hippie and post-hippie "back to the land" movement.
Healthy Lifestyle
healthy-lifestyle
Cookbooks and Recipes
cookbooks-and-recipes
Green Pharmacy: The History and Evolution of Western Herbal Medicine
1981
Barbara Griggs
Traces the development of herbal medicine in Western traditions.
Botanical / Herbal
botanical-herbal
People's Market: Food Co-op Cook Book
1981
People's Market Food Co-op
Colorado based food co-op
Cookbooks and Recipes
cookbooks-and-recipes
Hippies and the Counterculture
hippies-and-the-counterculture
Life Extension: A Practical Scientific Approach
1982
Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw
An early 1980s runaway best seller. Highlighted taking specific nutraceuticals for longevity and disease prevention.
Anti-Aging Lifestyle and Diets
anti-aging-lifestyle-and-diets
medical nutrition
medical-nutrition
The Enchanted Brocolli Forest
1982
Mollie Katzen
A well-received vegetarian cookbook from the early 80s.
Cookbooks and Recipes
cookbooks-and-recipes
Vegetarianism
vegetarianism
The Social Transformation of American Medicine: The Rise of a Sovereign Profession and the Making of a Vast Industry
1982
Paul Starr
An in depth look at the factors that have influenced the rise and development of the medical industry into the behemoth that it is today.
History
history
Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer
1982
No items found.
Research compendium on the interactions and influences of nutrtiion and food on cancer.
Cancer establishment and alternative therapies
cancer-establishment-and-alternative-therapies
Wheat Grass: Nature’s Finest Medicine
1983
Steve Meyerowitz
A look at using sprouted wheatgrass juice as a "super food".
Botanical / Herbal
botanical-herbal
Superfoods
superfoods
Feed Yourself Right
1983
Lendon Smith
The title is reminiscent of Adelle Davis's books written 30 years prior. Smith was a well known nutritioin-oriented pediatrician.
General nutrition
general-nutrition
The Higher Taste: A Guide to Gourmet Vegetarian Cooking and a Karma-Free Diet
1983
International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKC)
A vegetarian (and "karma-free") cookbook by the organization of Hare Krishnas.
Vegetarianism
vegetarianism
Homogenized!
1983
Nicholas Sampsidis, M.S.
Research on the health issues associated with the homogenization process of milk.
Dangers of Mainstream Foods and Toxins
dangers-of-mainstream-foods-and-toxins
Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition
1983
Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D.
Edited articles by Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D.
medical nutrition
medical-nutrition
A Vegetarian Sourcebook
1983
Keith Akers
A three-pronged argument for vegetarianism, based on nutrition, ecology, and ethics.
Vegetarianism
vegetarianism
Fit for Life
1985
Harvey and Marilyn Diamond
The Diamond's mid 1980s classic that brought vegetarian raw eating to countless millions.
Anti-Aging Lifestyle and Diets
anti-aging-lifestyle-and-diets
Tassajara Recipe Book
1985
Edward Espe Brown
Recipes from the Northern California Zen Buddhist Center's famous kitchen.
Cookbooks and Recipes
cookbooks-and-recipes
Vegetarianism
vegetarianism
Sweetness and Power
1985
Sidney W. Mintz
The book explores how sugar transformed from a luxury good into a global staple, revealing its central role in shaping capitalism, colonialism, and modern consumer culture.
Sweet And Dangerous
sweet-and-dangerous
Fats and Oils: The Complete Guide to Fats and Oils in Health and Nutrition,
1986
Udo Erasmus
Erasmus was one of the first authors to clearly teach about fat and oils for health from a fact based chemistry perspective
Fats and Oils; The Good and the Bad
fats-and-oils-the-good-and-the-bad
Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill
1986
Udo Erasmus
The companion volume to Fats and OIls: The Complete Guide to Fats and Oils in Health and Nutrition
Fats and Oils; The Good and the Bad
fats-and-oils-the-good-and-the-bad
The 120 Year Diet
1986
Roy Walford, M.D.
How caloric restrictiion with simulaneous nutrient-density scientifically lengthens lifespan.
Anti-Aging Lifestyle and Diets
anti-aging-lifestyle-and-diets
Never Satisfied: A Cultural History of Diets, Fantasies, and Fat
1986
Hillel Schwartz
Shows how changing perceptions of "ideal" body shapes have influenced cultural and dietary changes through history.
Weight Loss
weight-loss
The Food Factor
1986
Barbara Griggs
Discusses how food is the fundamental factor in our overall health.
General nutrition
general-nutrition
Diet For a New America
1987
John Robbins
John Robbins critiques the meat industry and advocates for plant-based eating for health, ethics, and the environment. A mini-classic
Vegetarianism
vegetarianism
The Amino Revolution
1987
Robert Erdmann, M.D.
A great introduction and overview of the roles of different amino acids in health and healing.
Minerals and Supplements
minerals-and-supplements
Jean Carper’s Total Nutrition Guide
1987
Jean Carper
Nutrition advice by popular nutrtion writer, Jean Carper.
General nutrition
general-nutrition