Wise words to build a happier, healthier you

New health and wellbeing titles offer fresh and exciting inspiration to transform your life in 2026

- With HANNAH STEPHENSON

Healing art, high-fibre eating, a continuing kickback against processed foods and books focusing on weight-loss jabs are among the offerings of new health and wellbeing titles in 2026, while women can absorb more menopause information and learn how to stay fit in their later years.

"Following on from this year, there are a lot of books on slowing down and basically the benefits of doing nothing," says Bea Carvalho, Waterstones head of books.

Weight-loss injections have changed the face of the traditional diet book, says Caroline Sanderson, associate editor of trade magazine The Bookseller. “Long gone are the days of the hip and thigh diet and all those in-your-face ‘lose weight’ books. We've moved on to being preoccupied with other things.”

DIET CHANGES

"You've got people like Joe Wicks saying that whatever you're doing it's got to be sustainable and you've got to combine exercise and diet," Sanderson points out.

"Protein is a big thing as trends go, with his new Protein In 15 book (Leap, £22), leading the way."

"The big trend for diet is fibre - there's an awful lot on fibre next year," adds Carvalho, including High Fibre Heroes from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (Bloomsbury, May 7, £26).

EXERCISE

There may be renewed interest in running if BBC journalist Sophie Raworth's book Running On Air (Bloomsbury Sport, April 23, £20) takes off, Sanderson predicts.

The 57-year-old TV presenter, who has completed 15 marathons, three ultra-marathons and other huge running challenges, is likely to inspire readers to give running a chance, Sanderson reckons.

There's also a buzz around personal trainer Elizabeth Davies' new book Training For Your Old Lady Body (Leap, March 19, £16.99), who pulls no punches as she shares her knowledge in helping women keep their muscle mass strong and safeguarding their quality of life by forming new exercise habits - and insists it's never too late to start.