Hi Jennifer,
I'd like to recommend Cooking a la Heart, a cookbook I co-authored with fellow RDN Linda Hachfeld. Published in 2023, Cooking a la Heart starts with two chapters on the science and strategies for cooking for improved cardiovascular wellness that are followed by 18 recipe chapters focusing on meal occasions as well bc as specified ingredients. The book includes 512 recipes! Many chapters feature "Simply Cooked" recipes that are building blocks for other recipes. These recipes can help beginner cooks develop kitchen competence and confidence.
Linda and I focused messaging on healthful eating patterns. The only nutrient we limited intentionally was sodium, but we put a big emphasis on deliciousness and flavor. One recipe chapter Is devoted to sodium free spice blends and seasonings.
The book is available in print and e-book formats on Amazon and, as the publisher likes us to say, "Anywhere books are sold."
Warm regards,
Amy
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Amy Myrdal Miller, MS, RDN, FAND
6th Year Delegate, Food & Culinary Professionals DPG
Carmichael (Sacramento), California
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-17-2025 04:04 PM
From: Jennifer Watson
Subject: Recommended Cookbook or Text for Heart Healthy Cooking?
Hello everyone,
I am teaching a heart healthy University level cooking class in the Spring. I have students from hospitality, culinary, and nutrition and dietetics in the course. I am looking for a good cookbook that we can use as a text for the course. I try to use popular press books that are inexpensive, trying to mimic what a a client or patient might buy if they are going to "start trying to eat healthy". I was kind of disappointed in the American Heart Association cookbook we tried last semester, so I'm looking for new ideas. We have 5 weeks of class, including 3-4 weeks of cooking, with a 3 hour time block. I also aim to keep the book under $30, as our students often struggle to purchase textbooks due to cost. Appreciate thoughts and ideas!
Cheers,
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Jennifer Watson, PhD, RDN
Assistant Professor, Food & Beverage
MSU Denver, Colorado
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