Considering a Plant-Based Diet - 3 Informative Books to Read

ByHealy Youngton

Have you thought about becoming vegetarian or vegan, but need more information? It's always good to do a bit of research before making a lifestyle change. This advice certainly applies to eating habits. Since changing to a plant-based diet, I've read many books on the subject and regard the following three to have been very useful, authentic, and informative.

The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, PhD, and Thomas M. Campbell, MD, Copyright 2006, BenBella Books, Inc.

There's nothing like analyzing good hard research before making a decision. In fact, one of the mantras for success is "research, research, research." The China Study provides probably the best authentic research on the impact of plant-based diets and meat-based diets to human health. The authors conducted a well-funded and continuous study for 27 years focusing mostly on the effects of protein consumption on cancer growth. They compiled so much data that they were able to make salient findings not only on cancer, but also on many other health conditions. In fact, they made "more than 8,000 statistically significant associations between various dietary factors and disease."

They concluded that "people who ate the most plant-based foods were the healthiest and tended to avoid chronic disease." The healthiest diets excluded meat, fish, and dairy products. The healthiest protein sources were from vegetables and whole grains. The research findings are presented well and make a strong case for the benefits of a non-meat and non-dairy eating style.

Becoming Vegetarian by Vesanto Melina, RD, Brenda Davis, RD, and Victoria Harrison, RD, Copyright 1994, Macmillan Canada.

If The China Study convinces readers to become vegetarian, then the first step to a plant-based diet, for many, is to start reducing meat consumption on a weekly basis, rather than excluding it entirely. Making the transition is a gradual process and it helps people slowly accommodate and enjoy more vegetables in their diet. The next step is to eat vegetarian meals exclusively, meaning that meat, fish, and poultry are removed from one's diet, but dairy products are still consumed and used in cooking.

The book, Becoming Vegetarian, is a wonderful summary, guide, and resource to learn about the vegetarian diet from all perspectives -- benefits, motivations, nutrition, lifestyle recommendations, recipes, social implications, and more. It is very comprehensive, considerate of all factors to be weighed by individuals during and after the transition, and very practical if you are new to vegetarian ingredients. It is written in a welcoming style to all readers and helps motivate and teach at the same time.

Being Vegan by Joanne Stepaniak, MS Ed, Copyright 2000, Lowell House.

It takes time to determine if a vegetarian diet is sustainable and habit-forming. For those who attain the new lifestyle, it's not long before one realizes that the production of dairy products is linked closely to the production of meat products and presents the same issues which turn people off of meat. Upon reaching this point, the book Being Vegan is recommended reading.

The author does a thorough job of explaining that being vegan is more than just a dietary change. It is a change in thinking, compassion, and ultimately a personal philosophy with a world view. A vegan diet is vegetarian but also excludes dairy products and any animal derivatives used in the ingredients or used to make the ingredients. The book teaches that the reach of one's compassion must change to encompass all living things. It is a very powerful thought and illuminates the mindset to live with and appreciate a plant-based diet.

After reading these three books, those considering changing to a plant-based diet should have a good feel for the range of issues associated with vegetarian and vegan lifestyles and be prepared to start eating differently if so desired. The concept of eating meals cooked only with vegetable and grain ingredients has been part of human discourse since ancient times, but with a bit of research it's not hard to become familiar with the concept and all of its implications.

Healy Youngton

http://www.MakeSimpleVeganMeals.com/find-the-ecookbook.html

It's simple to make delicious vegan meals. My mini eCookbook, Make Simple Vegan Meals, offers 15 tasty recipes which have sustained, delighted, and nourished me for the past decade and helped me appreciate a vegan diet, mindset, and all of its health benefits. The vegetable recipes in this cookbook include soothing soups, refreshing salads, and delicious stews, chili, and pasta which you can easily prepare at home.

Visit my website and blog at the above link for more information about my eCookbook, nutrition, and a healthy vegan lifestyle.

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Healy Youngton

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