Inside Belle Gibson’s real The Whole Pantry wellness book from Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar

The Whole Pantry book that Belle Gibson writes in Apple Cider Vinegar is totally real. It includes around a hundred vile-sounding recipes, some rather out-there wellness advice, and plenty of cancer claims we now know she made up. Here’s a look inside Belle Gibson’s actual book, The Whole Pantry.

Wait, Belle Gibson really wrote a book like in Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar?

Yes. So, the character Milla is fictional, but appears to be inspired by the tragic true story of an influencer called Jessica Ainscough. Milla’s book From Hell to Well in Apple Cider Vinegar looks very similar to Jessica’s real book Make Peace with Your Plate: Change Your Life One Meal at a Time.

But Belle Gibson did really write a book, like in the Netflix show Apple Cider Vinegar. Its full title is The Whole Pantry: 100 Recipes for Eating Deliciously, Getting Back to Basics, and Living a Well-Nourished Life. The recipe book has similar content to her The Whole Pantry app. It came out in October 2014.

@novel.nook

Who else has gone down the #applecidervinegar rabbit hole 🤯 #netflix #bellegibson #thewholepantry

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The publisher Penguin explained they didn’t investigate the truth of Belle Gibson’s claims about her cancer. A spokesperson told the Daily Mail in 2015: “Penguin did not seek or receive documentary evidence of Belle’s medical condition or birth date prior to publication. We did not feel this was necessary as The Whole Pantry is a collection of food recipes, which Penguin has published in good faith.”

After Belle Gibson admitted to lying about having cancer, Penguin pulled the book from shelves.

Belle Gibson’s The Whole Pantry book contained lots about her cancer ‘story’

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The book has around 100 recipes, 80 of which were apparently written especially for the book. The food tends to be high in vegetables, but low in carbs and protein. Most meals are gluten-free. Recipes include “lettuce wedges with sumac and yoghurt dressing”, “sesame-crusted carrot fitters with minty green salsa” and “quinoa, almond and ricotta ‘meatballs’ with zucchini pasta”. (Zucchini pasta appears to just be strips of plain courgette.) There are also instructions for making your own “coffee body polish” and “remineralising toothpaste” from clay and coconut oil.

There’s a section of the book called “The Story So Far”, which narrates Belle’s life. It includes many, many claims we now know to be false – such as her brother being autistic,  cooking dinner for her family from the age of six, being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, being 20 in 2009, and having a stroke.

One subheading says, “What do you think it was about your Instagram posts that attracted so many followers?” Belle Gibson wrote, “Authenticity and integrity. It really is that simple. Too many people over-edit themselves. There’s not enough honesty out there”.

The Whole Pantry book contains lots and lots of lifestyle advice. Belle advises people to not drink anything at mealtimes, avoid genetically modified crops, never consume “toxic drinks” (i.e. fizzy drinks), and clean their house with lemon and vinegar instead of shop-bought products.

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Breakfast content from The Whole Pantry Let me know if you want to see any specific pages for longer #thewholepantry #applecidervinegar #bellegibson #netflixseries #thewholepantrybook

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A whole chapter is devoted to “detoxing”. The section called “Eating for beauty” does legitimately tell people to start their day by drinking two glasses of filtered water with lemon juice and half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. About a quarter of the recipes do actually have apple cider vinegar in.

The book has a disclaimer which says, “The information in this book is of a general nature. It is not intended to constitute professional medical advice and is not a substitute for consulting with your doctor or other healthcare provider. The publisher, Penguin Group (Australia) and author, Belle Gibson, are not responsible  for any adverse effects or consequences arising from the use of any suggestions, preparations or procedures included in this book.”

Signed copies of the book are now worth hundreds of pounds

You can’t buy a new copy of The Whole Pantry in a bookshop anymore. But old copies of the book are now worth lots of money. Some people are selling signed copies on eBay for upwards of $700 (£345).

Apple Cider Vinegar is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.

Featured images via Netflix.