Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life

by Ezekiel J. Emanuel

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

USA TODAY BESTSELLLER

INDIE NATIONAL BESTSELLER



From one of America’s leading doctors, an authoritative, practical, and entertaining guide to living a full and healthy life.


Everyone wants to live a full and healthy life—and every day brings a tidal wave of attention-grabbing misinformation, faddish ideas from “wellness” influencers, and bizarre advice from news outlets over-extrapolating the results of tiny, outlier studies. The “Wellness Industrial Complex” prescribes conflicting and complicated regimens while promising us more time to enjoy in the future—though it sure is demanding a lot of time right now. But what actually matters most to our health and longevity? What has the most robust, actionable evidence? What’s the junk you can skip?


In Eat Your Ice Cream, renowned physician Ezekiel J. Emanuel argues that life is not a competition to live the longest and that “wellness” shouldn’t be difficult; it should be an invisible part of one’s lifestyle that yields maximum health benefits with the least work. Dr. Emanuel cuts through the noise with wit and good humor, giving readers just what they simple, high-impact, evidence-based guidelines on such issues as alcohol consumption, food and nutrition, exercise, sleep, mental acuity, and social engagement. Resisting the tide of the latest trends to extend life at all costs, Eat Your Ice Cream reveals that many of the tools for a long, healthy and meaningful life are already within reach.


Pairing common sense with uncommon wisdom based on his decades of expertise and experience, Dr. Emanuel helps us consider which lifestyle changes are worth making and how to most easily implement them for longer, healthier, and happier lives. Readers will come away with greater clarity and a deeper understanding of what really matters for well-being—connection, purpose, and sustainable choices backed by rigorous science.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Self Help, Science

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2026

Reviews

[Sharon Orlopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many books on longevity, health and wellness.

Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel does a terrific job putting everything in perspective so that readers don't need to consume massive amounts of books, articles, and podcasts to live a healthier, more purposeful and meaningful life.

He also allows for grace and not over-obsessing about doing everything 100% perfectly. He feels wellness should be an invisible part of your life. He pairs common sense with uncommon wisdom.

He encourages us to follow Thoreau's advice to live deep and suck all the marrow out of life.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I highly recommend.

[Jenn Ochieng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this was a breath of fresh air!

As a family medicine clinician, my days are filled with discussing lifestyle with patients while trying to combat all the misinformation and marketing that is....everywhere. 

The book is laid out by 6 general principles to support a balanced lifestyle. It is written to simplify health and return back to the crucial, high yield elements that we all need to figure out to maintain a healthy, good life. The author's entire point, which I whole heartily agree with, is that wellness behaviors should just be woven into the fabric of our life (and in that they become more automatic and less cumbersome). This is what I try to teach and reinforce with my patients daily!

I genuinely think the general public would benefit from reading this book especially those that find themselves sucked into the new wellness trend or fad. 

[kellymross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! This book is wonderful. The author is level headed and provides a non shaming reading experience for those of us who want to live long lives- because we want to live full lives and not lives consumed by strict rules or unrealistic goals.

This is a health book for those who are tired of the influencer culture and the hamster wheel of wellness recommendations. This book is great for anyone looking for a healthy reset or just confirmation that they are doing their best! Thanks to NetGalley for an early copy!

[Madeline Richer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author makes some good points about the problems with wellness discourse, and he’s clearly well-researched. However, for my taste, the book was lacking in political analysis. Ezekiel pays lip service to the economic factors that impact people’s health and lifestyle choices. In a time with such extreme health disparities across class and racial lines, these factors deserve more than lip service.

Another issue for me is that Ezekiel’s target audience is the absolute average person as he imagines them. He gives generalized advice without caveats. For example, he makes the sweeping claim that supplements are “probably a waste of money,” without acknowledging that for people with specific health conditions, supplements can be hugely beneficial. He’s not thinking about people with chronic illnesses or disabilities, and in fact uses language that implies that fatness, disability and even autism are conditions to be unequivocally avoided. He also uses binary language about gender, making statements about what “women” need and what “men” need. In other words, he’s behind the times with regard to body positivity, neurodivergence, and gender as a spectrum.

If you’re an able-bodied, cis, upper-middle class person who is at the total beginning of your health and wellness journey, this book might be a good place to start for some concrete next steps.

[Ruth Kindall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non fiction interesting book, but try to get it at the library ( vs owning it)…. Don’t usually read books like this, but I saw the author on CBS Sunday morning and he was so cute I wanted to support him( do buy the book if you want to😂😂😂). His six simple rules for living a long and healthy life made me feel good about what I’m doing right. Some things are hard to change…but you’ll find enough information to probably make it worth your while( no matter your age). I have to give it 3⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Molly Sinderbrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I begrudgingly preordered this book because the title was enticing (and because I was asked to). I do love ice cream.
I was not disappointed. This is a great pop science book; accessible, but still based on rigorous research and analysis. I don’t agree with everything (e.g., I would have emphasized exercise not as an activity, but as a part of life… walk/bike more, use car else). I’m not sure how achievable all the recommendations are (which foods count as ultra-processed?). And it was definitely geared toward people with both time and money. Which means I’m definitely going to recommend it to all the boomers in my life.
Stylistically, it was a fun and easy read. Translating inappropriate words to Yiddish doesn’t make them not inappropriate, but I still appreciated it. I loved the references to R. Lord Dr Jonathan Sacks, z”l, and to Aristotle. Would have liked a little less Franklin and a little more Frankl, but that’s personal preference. I’ve always been more of a James Wilson fan, anyway, in terms of 18th c. reps from PA.
My favorite is the part about dairy. Does my Cheesehead heart proud.
Overall, I’m so glad that there’s a wellness book that puts social connection, and doing for others, first. Not just in terms of health, but in terms of a good life. A wellness book that downplays wellness. It’s about time. Thank you!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an ice cream lover, I was initially drawn to this book because of its title. The author impressed me with his common-sense approach to long-term wellness with guidelines for six areas of our life. His suggestions are easy to implement, unlike the daunting rules of many diet and lifestyle programs. It is so confusing when the medical community advises one thing this year and then completely reverses their opinion the next. We need to avoid extremes and introduce one small change at a time.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

He raises a number of good points and I’m generally in agreement with him about exercise sleep and alcohol. Some of what he talks about in the nutrition section I disagree with I think he’s pushing dairy unnecessarily and I will side with his former professor, Walter Willett and go against dairy. Also, he says that blueberries are a good source of B12 as far as I understand B12 can only be obtained from animal sources and if you’re a vegan, you know, it’s all about nutritional yeast to get your B12.

[Cara]

I won't rate this book because I really only skimmed it. I got a copy from my library after it being recommended to me by a cashier at Trader Joe's. (Yes, those Trader Joe's employees are so friendly and chatty and it's amazing the ground we can cover while they scan my groceries.) While I did not think the six simple rules were earth-shattering, reading about them did make think about how I've already incorporated them into my life, maintaining them, and where I could improve.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book deals with six fundamental wellness behaviors that will yield the maximum benefit for the least amount of work.
This subject matter is presented with both humor, anecdotes, and scientific facts.

[Laurie Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight forward and easy to read. Good focus on choices that really matter to our overall health and longevity, and are maintainable. Great discussion about NOT buying in to all the minutia that may add seconds or nothing to your lifespan while taking away time for family, money and pleasure.

[Rebecca Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensible. Easy Good reminder

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent practical advice for a long and healthy life.

[Scott Carder · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok, But…

Good overview and intertaining but lots too simple and over autobiographical. The title does not describe the quality of the book.