Eat Your Ice Cream

Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life

by Ezekiel J. Emanuel

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Pub Date Jan 06 2026 | Archive Date Dec 31 2025

W. W. Norton & Company

Health, Mind & Body | Nonfiction (Adult) | Self-Help

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Description

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 need: 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.

About the Author: Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD is a vice provost and professor at the University of Pennsylvania. A bioethicist, health policy expert, and oncologist, he was one of the architects of the Affordable Care Act. He is a regular guest on CNN and MSNBC and often contributes to the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and Atlantic. He lives in Washington, DC.

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...

Advance Praise

"A provocative, practical read on how to lead a healthy life. With his signature clarity and candor, Ezekiel J. Emanuel debunks disinformation, punctures pseudoscience, and reveals what really counts for longevity." -Adam Grant, New York Times best-selling author of Think Again and Hidden Potential

"Eat Your Ice Cream is the wellness book we’ve all been waiting for—refreshingly honest, brilliantly pragmatic, and deeply human. In a world awash with biohacking fads, expensive supplements, and overengineered health advice, this book cuts through the noise with rare clarity. A must-read for anyone who wants a clear, compassionate, and common-sense roadmap to well-being." -Mark Hyman, MD, New York Times best-selling author of Young Forever

"With masterful skill and rigor, Ezekiel J. Emanuel cuts through the confusion and complexity of wellness culture and offers a clear path to better health. Essential reading for anyone who wants to get to heart of how to live a healthy and fulfilling life." -Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, former surgeon general of the United States

"In a world of schmucks, dimwits, gluttons, couch potatoes, sheep counters, and tech bros touting all manner of solutions to extend your life, it’s a comfort that a highly qualified mensch like Ezekiel J. Emanuel is there to guide us through our health journey. This substantive, fact-rich, and funny account on how to be alive is must-reading for those who value expertise and wisdom." -Kara Swisher, New York Times best-selling author of Burn Book

Available Editions

EDITION	Hardcover
ISBN	9781324117537
PRICE	$28.99 (USD)
PAGES	240

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Additional Information

Average rating from 4 members

Featured Reviews

Jennifer O, Reviewer

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.

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Sharon O, Reviewer

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.

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Madison M, Reviewer

Eat Your Ice Cream was a surprising book for me! I picked it up expecting a very strong health book, but the author Emanuel keeps things simple and easy to understand, the six rules are straightforward and actually doable, and I loved how grounded and realistic his approach felt. Some parts were a little basic, but the overall message was so encouraging.

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Kelly D, Librarian

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!