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Veganist: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change the World
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Food & Cooking (2011)Kathy Freston wasn't born a vegan. The bestselling author and renowned wellness expert actually grew up on chicken-fried steak and cheesy grits, and loved nothing more than BBQ ribs and vanilla milkshakes. Not until her thirties did she embrace the lifestyle of a veganist--someone who eats a plant-based diet not just for their own personal well-being, but for the whole web of benefits it brings to our ecosystem and beyond. Kathy's shift toward this new life was gradual--she leaned into it--but the impact was profound. Now Kathy shows us how to lean into the veganist life. Effortless weight loss, reversal of disease, environmental responsibility, spiritual awakening--these are just a few of the ten profound changes that can be achieved through a gentle switch in food choices.
Filled with compelling facts, stories of people who have improved their weight and health conditions as a result of making the switch, and Q&As with the leading medical researchers, Veganist concludes with a step-by-step practical guide to becoming a veganist…easily and gradually. It is an accessible, optimistic, and illuminating book that will change the way you eat forever. No less delicious, still hearty and satisfying--just better for you and for all.
Filled with compelling facts, stories of people who have improved their weight and health conditions as a result of making the switch, and Q&As with the leading medical researchers, Veganist concludes with a step-by-step practical guide to becoming a veganist…easily and gradually. It is an accessible, optimistic, and illuminating book that will change the way you eat forever. No less delicious, still hearty and satisfying--just better for you and for all.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2011
About the author
Kathy Freston
15 books40 followersKathy Freston is a New York Times best-selling author with a concentration on healthy living and conscious eating. Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Dean Ornish penned the introductions for two of her books and her work has garnered accolades from such respected names as Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Neal Barnard, Marianne Williamson
and Dr. Deepak Chopra.
Freston has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Ellen, The Dr. O Show, The View, Good Morning America, Charlie Rose, The Martha Stewart Show, and Extra, and also on OWN. Her work has been featured notably in Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Self, W, and Fitness. She is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post.
and Dr. Deepak Chopra.
Freston has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Ellen, The Dr. O Show, The View, Good Morning America, Charlie Rose, The Martha Stewart Show, and Extra, and also on OWN. Her work has been featured notably in Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Self, W, and Fitness. She is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
March 1, 2011
I was pretty skeptical about this book. After seeing Kathy Freston on Oprah, I was worried her book would candy-coat the issue, or that it would be "vegan-light". Or that it would be all about how to eat meat substitutes or more focused on veganism as a diet or cleanse, as it was portrayed in Oprah's show.
Instead, I learned Freston is compassionate about animals, but also wanted to allow multiple entry points for people to learn that veganism (or being a "veganist") is the right way to eat and live.
Freston offers many "promises" of a vegan diet, and examines the vegan diet from the viewpoint of personal health, environment, poverty and world hunger, animal ethics, and spirituality. I personally resonated with the ethics chapter the most and appreciated that she didn't hold back on the real truth of what happens to animals, giving vignettes of workers who actually witness factory farming and slaughterhouses firsthand.
I appreciated the dietary stance and the interviews of well-respected vegan doctors such as Dr. Neal Barnard and Dr. Michael Gregor. The interview with Dr. Gregor is a must read. The information about the safety of animal products is important for anyone to read. It's one of the reasons I try to get others I love to eat more vegan foods and less animal products, I fear for their health.
Kathy poses the approach of "leaning in" to veganism instead of requiring it to be an all or nothing approach. Indeed most people will probably find that more doable. However I think her point about meat and dairy being addictive can make it hard for some people to cut down. I know many people who could go a week without meat but not even a day without dairy. It's something for people to keep in mind if they find themselves stuck in the process of becoming vegan.
I'd highly recommend Veganist to people who want a quick introduction to veganism and are interested in veganism for more than just a diet.
Instead, I learned Freston is compassionate about animals, but also wanted to allow multiple entry points for people to learn that veganism (or being a "veganist") is the right way to eat and live.
Freston offers many "promises" of a vegan diet, and examines the vegan diet from the viewpoint of personal health, environment, poverty and world hunger, animal ethics, and spirituality. I personally resonated with the ethics chapter the most and appreciated that she didn't hold back on the real truth of what happens to animals, giving vignettes of workers who actually witness factory farming and slaughterhouses firsthand.
I appreciated the dietary stance and the interviews of well-respected vegan doctors such as Dr. Neal Barnard and Dr. Michael Gregor. The interview with Dr. Gregor is a must read. The information about the safety of animal products is important for anyone to read. It's one of the reasons I try to get others I love to eat more vegan foods and less animal products, I fear for their health.
Kathy poses the approach of "leaning in" to veganism instead of requiring it to be an all or nothing approach. Indeed most people will probably find that more doable. However I think her point about meat and dairy being addictive can make it hard for some people to cut down. I know many people who could go a week without meat but not even a day without dairy. It's something for people to keep in mind if they find themselves stuck in the process of becoming vegan.
I'd highly recommend Veganist to people who want a quick introduction to veganism and are interested in veganism for more than just a diet.
October 9, 2011
This is an interesting book on nutrition surrounding a plant-based diet and the benefits of eating little to no animal product.
I did appreciate her non-extremist style and opinions, but I just can't get past the poorly supported data and ridiculous claims (walking burns more calories than running per mile. Really? Please explain.) Etc. The statistics and "savings" figures appeared unsubstantiated, although I haven't researched the sources that she does provide.
My biggest problem with this book (as well as her Oprah segment) was the incessant pushing of faux-meat products. She claims throughout the book that whole foods are best for nutrition, yet, when describing a typical meal plan, consistently relies on heavily processed meat alternatives and prepared, frozen dinners/foods.
Kudos to her for not making the claim that a small amount of meat will guarantee a gruesome death -- as so many vegan activists do. This was bare bones and interesting to read -- I surprisingly found the section on animal cruelty to be most eye-opening, even though I read this book to learn about nutrition.
I did appreciate her non-extremist style and opinions, but I just can't get past the poorly supported data and ridiculous claims (walking burns more calories than running per mile. Really? Please explain.) Etc. The statistics and "savings" figures appeared unsubstantiated, although I haven't researched the sources that she does provide.
My biggest problem with this book (as well as her Oprah segment) was the incessant pushing of faux-meat products. She claims throughout the book that whole foods are best for nutrition, yet, when describing a typical meal plan, consistently relies on heavily processed meat alternatives and prepared, frozen dinners/foods.
Kudos to her for not making the claim that a small amount of meat will guarantee a gruesome death -- as so many vegan activists do. This was bare bones and interesting to read -- I surprisingly found the section on animal cruelty to be most eye-opening, even though I read this book to learn about nutrition.
June 2, 2016
This is one of those books that, now that I have read it, I wish I had a million copies that I could just hand out to random people I encounter throughout my days! It is JAM-PACKED with a TON of information on nutrition, the harsh realities of factory farming, health, weight management, spirituality, food-borne illness facts, and that is just to name a few. Admittedly, there are chapters of this book that are very difficult to read. If this is your first time learning about the horrific animal abuse that takes place on factory farms, then this is a great place to get that information and then feel like there is something you can do about it. If you are aware of factory farm horrors already, then you might skim over that chapter. But what I loved about this author's approach was that she herself recommends you read these chapters AS YOU ARE READY. She truly meets you where you are, and I think that is the future of the veganist movement. Nobody wants to be told that the choices they are making in their lives are BAD and they are BAD people for making them. Shame doesn't help anyone or effect any lasting change (in my opinion!). We are all on our own journeys and doing what we can to improve ourselves every day. This book advocates JUST THAT: making small gradual changes, as we can and as we are ready, that eventually lead us to the person we want to be. In the meantime, we have all of the information we need to make those educated choices, and she also recommends several resources to help us along in our journey. I also enjoyed the fact that she discusses dietary change in relation to spirituality and religion. That our diets are a part of our spiritual evolution; not some isolated aspect of ourselves. Everything is inter-connected. This is an aspect of health and nutrition that, to me, is refreshing and quite frankly, long overdue! It is about time someone made that connection. So in conclusion, this book is an absolute gem. Read it and pass it on to a friend. I feel that this book will change a lot of lives, just like I was forever changed the first time I read "Diet for a New America" by John Robbins over a decade ago. Kathy is a fresh, uplifting, helpful voice. I didn't feel that she was speaking down to her readers EVER; in fact, you feel like you are just taking a long walk with a close friend who has something very important to tell you! And indeed she does! Great job, Kathy! (P. S. I also loved the use of the term "Veganist"... I hope to see it used more often!)
March 6, 2015
Ugh, my phone ate my lengthy review. Reworded: I had trouble taking the "health" claims seriously when she kept advocating highly processed foods and unfermented soy without acknowledging that they are total junk food. The entire sample diet in the back of the book made me cringe. Not only is fake meat/dairy not close enough to the real thing to satisfy a meat eater making the transition, but to eat it at every single meal? Yuck. Find yourself a good vegan cookbook (like Veganomicon) and go from there. If it's daunting, start with one meal a week, then one full day, then a few dinners a week, etc. Build up a repertoire of recipes and it will be easier as you gain confidence. I enjoy a good fake sausage or some Daiya now and again, but it is nothing like the real thing so remove yourself from those expectations first.
The one part of the book I found worthwhile was the chapter with details on how animals are treated. I am a long time vegetarian and only eat local eggs from a known source, but dairy is a weakness. That information was unpleasant but a necessary read for me so I know what I am supporting with dairy purchases.
Speaking of local known sources, I found it unfortunate that there was no mention of meat outside of the context of CAFOs. I think there is a world of difference between CAFO meat and the humanely raised meat you can get at the farmers market. (A vegan may argue there is no humane way to raise meat, but regardless there is a difference in standards and environmental effects with small farmers.) While I personally aspire to a (whole foods based) vegan diet, I think my friends who belong to a local meat CSA and eat real food are far healthier than anyone following the sample diet in the book which is referred to throughout. They are also using a smaller carbon footprint and probably more in touch with their spiritual side, to address a few of the arguments made for veganism in the book.
The one part of the book I found worthwhile was the chapter with details on how animals are treated. I am a long time vegetarian and only eat local eggs from a known source, but dairy is a weakness. That information was unpleasant but a necessary read for me so I know what I am supporting with dairy purchases.
Speaking of local known sources, I found it unfortunate that there was no mention of meat outside of the context of CAFOs. I think there is a world of difference between CAFO meat and the humanely raised meat you can get at the farmers market. (A vegan may argue there is no humane way to raise meat, but regardless there is a difference in standards and environmental effects with small farmers.) While I personally aspire to a (whole foods based) vegan diet, I think my friends who belong to a local meat CSA and eat real food are far healthier than anyone following the sample diet in the book which is referred to throughout. They are also using a smaller carbon footprint and probably more in touch with their spiritual side, to address a few of the arguments made for veganism in the book.
August 3, 2011
This puff piece on the benefits of the vegan diet presents scientific and anecdotal evidence to support it's claims.
There are several things that rubbed me the wrong way about this book. Yes, of course there is evidence that eating a plant-based diet is better for you. However, Freston bases her book around "promises" of what your life will be like if you adopt a vegan diet. Sure, most of them are, probably true such as weight maintenance and lowering your risk of cancer. But then she also "promises" that you will be helping the global poor, "following the wisdom of great spiritual traditions" (how is that a promise?), and that you will "evolve and take the world with you". Guess what? You can be vegan and still get cancer, or have chronic illness, or be chubby (she does point out that you can make junky vegan choices). Diet is a major factor in illness but it is not the only factor. She gives a lot of fuzzy data and very little citation of where she got it.
Sure, I see what she's saying but it just felt too fluffy, too "best scenario" for me. The book includes interviews with doctors and then anecdotal cases of people who have radically changed their lives through going vegan. It just felt canned to me. (BTW-I'm vegetarian and have been vegan in the past.) However, for those who are simply searching for more evidence and others' experiences with the vegan diet, this could be a good introduction. Or better yet, get a book from a doctor like Dean Ornish or Neal Barnard.
There are several things that rubbed me the wrong way about this book. Yes, of course there is evidence that eating a plant-based diet is better for you. However, Freston bases her book around "promises" of what your life will be like if you adopt a vegan diet. Sure, most of them are, probably true such as weight maintenance and lowering your risk of cancer. But then she also "promises" that you will be helping the global poor, "following the wisdom of great spiritual traditions" (how is that a promise?), and that you will "evolve and take the world with you". Guess what? You can be vegan and still get cancer, or have chronic illness, or be chubby (she does point out that you can make junky vegan choices). Diet is a major factor in illness but it is not the only factor. She gives a lot of fuzzy data and very little citation of where she got it.
Sure, I see what she's saying but it just felt too fluffy, too "best scenario" for me. The book includes interviews with doctors and then anecdotal cases of people who have radically changed their lives through going vegan. It just felt canned to me. (BTW-I'm vegetarian and have been vegan in the past.) However, for those who are simply searching for more evidence and others' experiences with the vegan diet, this could be a good introduction. Or better yet, get a book from a doctor like Dean Ornish or Neal Barnard.
October 14, 2016
My re-read of this gives it 5 stars.
When I listened to audio last year for free on Hoopla as I was going vegetarian, and was checking out various books for information.
Now I am leaning into being a vegan and I got the hardback from the library. I think this is an outstanding resource! I like her style and her attitude of "progress not perfection." And the idea of "leaning in". For me, this is a perfect resource. I am thankful this book and will be looking at more by this author.
When I listened to audio last year for free on Hoopla as I was going vegetarian, and was checking out various books for information.
Now I am leaning into being a vegan and I got the hardback from the library. I think this is an outstanding resource! I like her style and her attitude of "progress not perfection." And the idea of "leaning in". For me, this is a perfect resource. I am thankful this book and will be looking at more by this author.
December 17, 2012
I'd call this a "quick read" about the benefits of a vegan diet and a great intro for someone curious about why people choose to be vegan. (I borrowed this book from my friend Lori, who's been vegan for about 30 years; as a long-term vegan, Lori said she didn't gain much new knowledge from the book. One of the most impressive books on veganism that Lori has read recently and that she highly recommends is The World Peace Diet by Dr. Will Tuttle.) Kathy Freston defines "veganist" as "1. Someone who looks closely at all the implications of their food choices and chooses to lean into a plant-based diet; 2. Progress, not perfection." Thus, as the definition implies, the entire book focuses on only one aspect of being vegan - the vegan diet. If you become a veganist, Kathy promises that 10 things will happen:
* Promise 1: Your body will find and maintain its ideal weight - effortlessly
* Promise 2: You will lower your risks for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes - and even reverse diseases already diagnosed
* Promise 3: You will live longer - and better
* Promise 4: You will take yourself out of harm's way
* Promise 5: You will save money
* Promise 6: You will radically reduce your carbon footprint and do the single best thing you can for the environment
* Promise 7: You will be helping provide food to the global poor
* Promise 8: You will reduce animal suffering
* Promise 9: You will be following the wisdom of the great spiritual traditions
* Promise 10: You will evolve - and take the world with you
Each of these promises forms a chapter, in which she uses research and interviews to support the promise that she's made. The interviews were fun to read, and I found out about some interesting and inspiring people, such as Dr. Ruth Heidrich, who at 75 years old has been "running every day for more than forty years, and has been a vegan for almost thirty years. She credits her veganism both for her formidable intellect - she has her bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology, her PhD in health education, and has lectured across the country, from Stanford to Cornell - and for her excellent health. She has won eight gold medals in the Senior Olympics, has completed six Ironman Triathlons, and has set age-group records in every distance from the 100-meter dash to the 5K road race to ultramarathon, pentathlon, and triathlon."
My main issue with the book is that Kathy frequently talks about faux meat products. At the back of the book is a section entitled "Three Weeks of Meals." Many (maybe even a majority) of the meals include some sort of processed vegan food product as a centerpiece, such as veggie sausages, meatless ground beef, Gardein products, soy cheese, seitan skewers, and so on. Let's face it: faux meats are seriously processed, and to emphasize these products is doing a disservice to people trying to get healthy. I think she mentions once or twice that people who first make the switch to veganism can splurge on animal-free versions of familiar comfort foods and that after some time, a wholefoods diet is best. I would have liked to have seen more emphasis on a wholefoods diet.
End of the review.
The following are notes for myself from the book (feel free to read):
"Consider the reflections of the Jesuit priest John Dear, who explains that 'today Jesus ... would want us to change every aspect of our lives, to seek complete physical, spiritual, emotional, and ethical wholeness....So, when we sit down to eat ... we should also choose to adhere to his life of compassion and nonviolence by maintaining a vegetarian diet.'....'we know that as we practice mercy to one another and to all God's creatures, we too shall receive mercy and blessings, as Jesus promised in the Beatitudes.'" pp. 202-203
"Saint Francis [of Assisi] not only spoke eloquently about compassion for animals but also...taught that kindness to animals is good spiritually and promotes peace among humans. 'Not to hurt our humble brethren, the animals, is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission: to be of service to them whenever they require it. If you have people who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity you will have people who will deal likewise with other people.'" p. 203
"See, I have given you every plant-yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food." (Genesis 1:29-30) p. 196
"My friend the novelist Jonathan Safran Foer, who was inspired to commit to vegetarianism by the birth of his first child and wrote a wonderful book about it called Eating Animals, put it this way: 'Compassion is a muscle that gets stronger with use, and the regular exercise of choosing kindness over cruelty ... change[s] us.'" p. 204
"[Rabbi Moses] Maimonides explains that there is 'no difference...between humanity and the other animals' in relation to the pain a mother experiences if she sees her young harmed. 'For the love and the tenderness of a mother for her child is not consequent upon reason but upon the activity of the imaginative faculty, which is found in most animals just as it is found in humanity.'"
"There is not an animal that lives on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but forms part of communities like you....they all shall be gathered to their Lord in the end." (Qur'an 6:38) p. 211
"The Buddhist scriptures relate that the Enlightened One advised that 'those who keep close company with me must not eat meat. Even if, in a gesture of faith, almsgivers provide them with meat, they must shrink from it as they would shrink from the flesh of their own children,' because 'eating meat destroys the attitude of great compassion.'" p. 213
"Try a thought experiment yourself. Imagine what it takes for a piece of chicken leg to end up on your plate (confinement, transportation to slaughter, slaughtering, defeathering, skinning, butchering, slicing up, and cooking). Now imagine the process involved in eating an apple (pluck it off the tree) or loaf of bread (harvesting the grain, milling it into flour, baking). Would you rather have your energies contribute to a world of slaughter or one of harvest? It's a decision we make everyday." pp. 214-215.
* Promise 1: Your body will find and maintain its ideal weight - effortlessly
* Promise 2: You will lower your risks for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes - and even reverse diseases already diagnosed
* Promise 3: You will live longer - and better
* Promise 4: You will take yourself out of harm's way
* Promise 5: You will save money
* Promise 6: You will radically reduce your carbon footprint and do the single best thing you can for the environment
* Promise 7: You will be helping provide food to the global poor
* Promise 8: You will reduce animal suffering
* Promise 9: You will be following the wisdom of the great spiritual traditions
* Promise 10: You will evolve - and take the world with you
Each of these promises forms a chapter, in which she uses research and interviews to support the promise that she's made. The interviews were fun to read, and I found out about some interesting and inspiring people, such as Dr. Ruth Heidrich, who at 75 years old has been "running every day for more than forty years, and has been a vegan for almost thirty years. She credits her veganism both for her formidable intellect - she has her bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology, her PhD in health education, and has lectured across the country, from Stanford to Cornell - and for her excellent health. She has won eight gold medals in the Senior Olympics, has completed six Ironman Triathlons, and has set age-group records in every distance from the 100-meter dash to the 5K road race to ultramarathon, pentathlon, and triathlon."
My main issue with the book is that Kathy frequently talks about faux meat products. At the back of the book is a section entitled "Three Weeks of Meals." Many (maybe even a majority) of the meals include some sort of processed vegan food product as a centerpiece, such as veggie sausages, meatless ground beef, Gardein products, soy cheese, seitan skewers, and so on. Let's face it: faux meats are seriously processed, and to emphasize these products is doing a disservice to people trying to get healthy. I think she mentions once or twice that people who first make the switch to veganism can splurge on animal-free versions of familiar comfort foods and that after some time, a wholefoods diet is best. I would have liked to have seen more emphasis on a wholefoods diet.
End of the review.
The following are notes for myself from the book (feel free to read):
"Consider the reflections of the Jesuit priest John Dear, who explains that 'today Jesus ... would want us to change every aspect of our lives, to seek complete physical, spiritual, emotional, and ethical wholeness....So, when we sit down to eat ... we should also choose to adhere to his life of compassion and nonviolence by maintaining a vegetarian diet.'....'we know that as we practice mercy to one another and to all God's creatures, we too shall receive mercy and blessings, as Jesus promised in the Beatitudes.'" pp. 202-203
"Saint Francis [of Assisi] not only spoke eloquently about compassion for animals but also...taught that kindness to animals is good spiritually and promotes peace among humans. 'Not to hurt our humble brethren, the animals, is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission: to be of service to them whenever they require it. If you have people who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity you will have people who will deal likewise with other people.'" p. 203
"See, I have given you every plant-yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food." (Genesis 1:29-30) p. 196
"My friend the novelist Jonathan Safran Foer, who was inspired to commit to vegetarianism by the birth of his first child and wrote a wonderful book about it called Eating Animals, put it this way: 'Compassion is a muscle that gets stronger with use, and the regular exercise of choosing kindness over cruelty ... change[s] us.'" p. 204
"[Rabbi Moses] Maimonides explains that there is 'no difference...between humanity and the other animals' in relation to the pain a mother experiences if she sees her young harmed. 'For the love and the tenderness of a mother for her child is not consequent upon reason but upon the activity of the imaginative faculty, which is found in most animals just as it is found in humanity.'"
"There is not an animal that lives on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but forms part of communities like you....they all shall be gathered to their Lord in the end." (Qur'an 6:38) p. 211
"The Buddhist scriptures relate that the Enlightened One advised that 'those who keep close company with me must not eat meat. Even if, in a gesture of faith, almsgivers provide them with meat, they must shrink from it as they would shrink from the flesh of their own children,' because 'eating meat destroys the attitude of great compassion.'" p. 213
"Try a thought experiment yourself. Imagine what it takes for a piece of chicken leg to end up on your plate (confinement, transportation to slaughter, slaughtering, defeathering, skinning, butchering, slicing up, and cooking). Now imagine the process involved in eating an apple (pluck it off the tree) or loaf of bread (harvesting the grain, milling it into flour, baking). Would you rather have your energies contribute to a world of slaughter or one of harvest? It's a decision we make everyday." pp. 214-215.
Read
August 3, 2013The introduction was very promising. Her approach seems accessible. I appreciated that she makes a point to tell readers to skip chapters and come back to them later if they are not yet ready for some of the more difficult truths, rather than discard the book entirely.
Then I actually started the book and it just wasn't what I personally wanted. The promises can be a bit grandiose though they're common in veg advocacy. For example: "You will be helping provide food to the global poor" just isn't true unless you're donating your time or money to address global poverty and hunger issues. Eating a vegan diet might lessen your complicity to some extent, but that lifestyle change alone isn't going to break government subsidies to animal feed crops.
Quinoa is a recent example how demand for a healthy plant food can cause a crop to become too expensive for locals to consume, losing out a staple source of nutrition to export demands for the wealthy and middle class of other nations. Point being that our food systems are far more complicated than can be addressed by veganism alone. I do think veganism is a good gateway into a more mindful life and may inform and inspire useful action, whether it be political or philanthropic.
I appreciate the general ideas behind these claims, and they're good for a brochure or leaflet, but with an entire book, there is plenty of time to better flesh out what a vegan diet actually accomplishes.
I don't appreciate that I felt alienated as early as page 3:
"If you look around, you won't see many fat vegans. Vegans tend to be slim and strong, gorgeous and glowing, and that's because a healthy, plant-based diet creates vitality and vigor--and weight loss simply happens as a result of not eating fatty animal protein."
Um, no.
This is an oversimplified understanding of weight gain delivered in a very privileged manner that ignores the reality that vegans come in all sizes. The idea that vegans are all naturally slim is at the root of body-shaming and discrimination within the AR movement. How many vegans who don't fit the "ideal" have been made to feel as if they're not capable advocates for veganism? How many have blatantly been accused of "cheating" because everyone knows "real" vegans are thin and you can't possibly be overweight if you're eating the "right" way?
The book contains a lot of compelling information and I don't mean to discount it too readily, but as someone who has read more than a few vegan books in the past four years, I just... can't they just... won't someone just... get it right? Because we have a lot of why-to and how-to go vegan books, but very few figures within the movement who represent the average consumers/citizens.
Then I actually started the book and it just wasn't what I personally wanted. The promises can be a bit grandiose though they're common in veg advocacy. For example: "You will be helping provide food to the global poor" just isn't true unless you're donating your time or money to address global poverty and hunger issues. Eating a vegan diet might lessen your complicity to some extent, but that lifestyle change alone isn't going to break government subsidies to animal feed crops.
Quinoa is a recent example how demand for a healthy plant food can cause a crop to become too expensive for locals to consume, losing out a staple source of nutrition to export demands for the wealthy and middle class of other nations. Point being that our food systems are far more complicated than can be addressed by veganism alone. I do think veganism is a good gateway into a more mindful life and may inform and inspire useful action, whether it be political or philanthropic.
I appreciate the general ideas behind these claims, and they're good for a brochure or leaflet, but with an entire book, there is plenty of time to better flesh out what a vegan diet actually accomplishes.
I don't appreciate that I felt alienated as early as page 3:
"If you look around, you won't see many fat vegans. Vegans tend to be slim and strong, gorgeous and glowing, and that's because a healthy, plant-based diet creates vitality and vigor--and weight loss simply happens as a result of not eating fatty animal protein."
Um, no.
This is an oversimplified understanding of weight gain delivered in a very privileged manner that ignores the reality that vegans come in all sizes. The idea that vegans are all naturally slim is at the root of body-shaming and discrimination within the AR movement. How many vegans who don't fit the "ideal" have been made to feel as if they're not capable advocates for veganism? How many have blatantly been accused of "cheating" because everyone knows "real" vegans are thin and you can't possibly be overweight if you're eating the "right" way?
The book contains a lot of compelling information and I don't mean to discount it too readily, but as someone who has read more than a few vegan books in the past four years, I just... can't they just... won't someone just... get it right? Because we have a lot of why-to and how-to go vegan books, but very few figures within the movement who represent the average consumers/citizens.
July 26, 2016
I'm about halfway into this and have read more than enough to know what I think of the book.
This might seem like a good, accessible, and quickly-readable (but -very- shallow) overview of the issues that prompt folks to go vegan, but I take issue with it for several reasons.
First, she makes unrealistic promises about weight loss. Veganism is not a magic get-out-of-calories-free card and eating vegan will NOT guarantee you to lose weight at all, much less rapidly and effortlessly, as the author repeatedly states. She does at least acknowledge vegan junk food and caution against excessive refined carbohydrates, but she fails to acknowledge the extent to which our genetics and other external factors play into weight. She edges dangerously into the territory of fat shaming or at least implying that all people who make good food choices will naturally and effortlessly have socially sanctioned bodies and be in good health.
Second, she makes overstated health claims, particularly with respect to preventing or even curing cancer. Yes, a vegan diet will generally reduce cancer odds, but there is no such thing as immunity; vegans can and do get and die from cancer. Fortunately, she very clearly makes a point of saying she is -NOT- blaming anyone for disease (in direct contrast to the nasty and infuriating implications in Skinny Bitch, which I despise, but that's another rant...).
Finally, she fails to back up many health, nutrition, environmental, and scientific claims with citations. Many of the things she notes may well be entirely accurate, but failing to cite good research undercuts / weakens the case. Also, when she presents controversial or unsubstantiated claims as fact, I believe this is particularly detrimental because folks who are swayed by that information may very well do a 180 when they find contradictory information ("if that's not true, is any of this?") or realize her claims cannot be well-substantiated.
This might seem like a good, accessible, and quickly-readable (but -very- shallow) overview of the issues that prompt folks to go vegan, but I take issue with it for several reasons.
First, she makes unrealistic promises about weight loss. Veganism is not a magic get-out-of-calories-free card and eating vegan will NOT guarantee you to lose weight at all, much less rapidly and effortlessly, as the author repeatedly states. She does at least acknowledge vegan junk food and caution against excessive refined carbohydrates, but she fails to acknowledge the extent to which our genetics and other external factors play into weight. She edges dangerously into the territory of fat shaming or at least implying that all people who make good food choices will naturally and effortlessly have socially sanctioned bodies and be in good health.
Second, she makes overstated health claims, particularly with respect to preventing or even curing cancer. Yes, a vegan diet will generally reduce cancer odds, but there is no such thing as immunity; vegans can and do get and die from cancer. Fortunately, she very clearly makes a point of saying she is -NOT- blaming anyone for disease (in direct contrast to the nasty and infuriating implications in Skinny Bitch, which I despise, but that's another rant...).
Finally, she fails to back up many health, nutrition, environmental, and scientific claims with citations. Many of the things she notes may well be entirely accurate, but failing to cite good research undercuts / weakens the case. Also, when she presents controversial or unsubstantiated claims as fact, I believe this is particularly detrimental because folks who are swayed by that information may very well do a 180 when they find contradictory information ("if that's not true, is any of this?") or realize her claims cannot be well-substantiated.
February 4, 2011
I was thinking this was going to be a cookbook and give me ideas on how to go "veganist." I have been dealing with health issues and had been doing pretty well going vegetarian for a while--but I slipped up only after about 9 months over the holidays and gave in to eating meat again (I've stayed away from red meat for years though). I thought this book would help me with my health issues and was the big reason I decided to get this as a Kindle purchase.
Very few books have really hit me emotionally like this book did. Her book is written in a non-threatening, friendly style full of details, compelling stories by every day people, doctors, and those who have gone undercover advocating reasons why going vegan is the best choice for not only our own health, the animals but also for the earth. More than a few times my eyes welled up and I had to take a breath and keep reading the stories. Sure, the statistics in there helped give perspective, but the stories she related in her book which also really made me think hard why I should make the full transition from being a vegetarian to a veganist. A plant-based life will not only be extremely beneficial to me physically and spiritually, but I will be helping give back so much more. This is a very powerful book and I'm glad that I saw it on my Borders Book suggested reading list.
Very few books have really hit me emotionally like this book did. Her book is written in a non-threatening, friendly style full of details, compelling stories by every day people, doctors, and those who have gone undercover advocating reasons why going vegan is the best choice for not only our own health, the animals but also for the earth. More than a few times my eyes welled up and I had to take a breath and keep reading the stories. Sure, the statistics in there helped give perspective, but the stories she related in her book which also really made me think hard why I should make the full transition from being a vegetarian to a veganist. A plant-based life will not only be extremely beneficial to me physically and spiritually, but I will be helping give back so much more. This is a very powerful book and I'm glad that I saw it on my Borders Book suggested reading list.
September 26, 2011
A more accurate subtitle might be ”Eat Carrots, Be a God” . Parodying the promises Kathy Freston’s makes in her meat-free manifesto would defy Mark Twain. According to Freston putting away the cheeseburgers will allow you to effortlessly lose weight, cure any diseases you may have including heart disease and cancer, and literately take on a ”golden glow”. Avoiding cheese dogs will make you not only more sexually attractive but actually better at sex. She does stop short of claiming that tofu will give you the power of flight but likely it was expurgated from an earlier draft.
The major problem with the book is that the majority of it is taken up with these promises. Tales of carnivores dying of horrible diseases and reformed omnivores coming up negative on tests for pernicious cancers abound. She offers some clinical evidence of the claims but these conveniently avoid mention of genetic predispositions, environmental factors and other confounding variables. No research on whether vegans actually glow appears.
In short, Freston’s rampant overselling ill-serves what is probably a reasonable argument given the absence of heart disease in cultures without access to abundant meat. Maybe an apple a day really does keep the doctor away.
July 27, 2011
I had been finding myself leaning in to vegetarianism and veganism more and more and have been eating less and less meat as a general rule. So far I've let beef and chicken behind and most pork products. Still eating some bacon on occasion. But this is convincing me to let that as well as eggs go also. I'm afraid the hard one for me is going to be cheese. Having grown up on a farm and been in close contact with killing animals both domestic and wild I am feeling better by no longer subsisting on flesh. I'm feeling better about myself and the impact of how much one person stopping eating meat can make. Admittedly this is high summer and we have all the fresh fruits and veggies so we'll see how it goes when winter comes along.
This book is a great re-enforcer and as Ms. Freston says and I alluded to in my first sentence try "leaning in" to the vegan lifestyle. I think we will all be better for it.
This book is a great re-enforcer and as Ms. Freston says and I alluded to in my first sentence try "leaning in" to the vegan lifestyle. I think we will all be better for it.
May 12, 2011
I'm a recent vegan convert and I've been trying to informe myself as much as possible. I thought Veganist was a good starter book because it covered all elements from health, nutrition, environment, animal suffering, and spirituality. The author incorporated some stories from different individuals and medical professionals which I liked. No heavy duty epidemiological studies are portrayed here like China Study (which I also recommend), but these studies are expressed in more simplistic ways. There are no recipes and this is not a cook book. I'd say read this if you want to learn more about different factors and reasons to being vegan. I definitely would recommend to those who are ready and open minded about being vegan or just want to learn more about why some people would want to choose going vegan.
April 22, 2019
Only read this because it was the only book about veganism on Overdrive. Terribly researched; anyone with a high school education should be able to tell you shouldn't write an entire book with only one source: a personal interview you had with 1 doctor.
March 15, 2012
I bought this book for the library thinking that it would be one that I bought and purposefully never read ... because sometimes we don't want to know too much. I haven't read Jonathan Safran Foer's "Eating Animals" and I haven't watched "Food, Inc" for those reasons.
Yet for some reason "Veganist" made it to the top of my "to read" pile and I really did enjoy it.
Kathy Freston gives the introduction that she didn't become a veganist until she was in her thirties -- she started slowly cutting different foods out of her diet over time and she seems very accepting of peoples hesitations and mistakes.
Kathy separates the book into 10 promises: becoming healthier, saving money, and caring for the environment (these are broken into more categories but these are the main three).
She allows that is you choose to have a "Meatless Monday" or go for the whole enchilada and go completely vegan, any little bit helps your health and you are voting with your money to help animals and their well-being. She gives tips about eating out and travel.
Since it is the time of year when farmer markets and Community Supported Agriculture shares start. I am much more interested in bringing more vegetables to the table ... but going completely vegan may not be in my immediate future.
Yet for some reason "Veganist" made it to the top of my "to read" pile and I really did enjoy it.
Kathy Freston gives the introduction that she didn't become a veganist until she was in her thirties -- she started slowly cutting different foods out of her diet over time and she seems very accepting of peoples hesitations and mistakes.
Kathy separates the book into 10 promises: becoming healthier, saving money, and caring for the environment (these are broken into more categories but these are the main three).
She allows that is you choose to have a "Meatless Monday" or go for the whole enchilada and go completely vegan, any little bit helps your health and you are voting with your money to help animals and their well-being. She gives tips about eating out and travel.
Since it is the time of year when farmer markets and Community Supported Agriculture shares start. I am much more interested in bringing more vegetables to the table ... but going completely vegan may not be in my immediate future.
November 6, 2011
Wow. This lady pulls out all the stops. From her graphic descriptions of animal slaughter houses to the chapter that claims the First Testament is proof that Jesus would want us all to be vegans, I can't say that Freston trusts her readers to decide much for themselves. The use of science is sometimes solid but often inconsistent and self-serving, and her gratuitous use of adjectives makes me cringe. If a chicken is covered in poop and dropped in boiling water while still alive I can pretty much figure out what descriptors fit the bill. BUT... there I was this weekend buying fake chicken tenders and veggie burgers. This afternoon, I'll be stopping by the local health food store to see what sorts of cheese substitutes I could live with. I'm quasi-excited about weighing myself over the coming months and finally following through on my doctor's nagging to get my cholesterol tested before I see her again next year. I feel a little guilty about my 3-star rating, as the chapters about health truly inspired me to make significant lifestyle changes. I just want Freston to know I would have done it without the manipulation of scare tactics and spiritual rhetoric.
February 22, 2015
This was a tough book to rate; I had trouble deciding between three and four stars. Most of the information in this book is accurate, but some it total b.s., namely the chapter about losing weight "effortlessly." Losing weight is not effortless, vegan diet or otherwise. While Freston delves into important facts through her interviews of well-respected scientists and nutritionists and citations of significant studies, her conclusions sound a little too simple, that you can easily lose weight and feed a starving world by going vegan, both of which are more complicated issues than she presents them.
I took Freston's advice and read the chapters in the order I wanted. My favorite chapter was on following the wisdom of spiritual and religious traditions. She cites spiritual leaders and religious texts that support vegan diets and compassion toward animals. I enjoyed the chapter because this element is missing or barely mentioned in most vegan books.
Overall, it's a good starter book for those thinking about a vegan lifestyle, but is often somewhat misleading in its simplicity.
I took Freston's advice and read the chapters in the order I wanted. My favorite chapter was on following the wisdom of spiritual and religious traditions. She cites spiritual leaders and religious texts that support vegan diets and compassion toward animals. I enjoyed the chapter because this element is missing or barely mentioned in most vegan books.
Overall, it's a good starter book for those thinking about a vegan lifestyle, but is often somewhat misleading in its simplicity.
April 6, 2011
Kathy's non-dogmatic, gentle tone made this book about veganism refreshingly approachable! I'm a new veganist and I've struggled finding the words to explain what I'm doing to my friends and family. Instead of trying, I plan to just give them copies of this book! It's a great overview of the many benefits of a vegan lifestyle, without all the dogma/stress that some books include. In particular, I really like her "lean in" approach to going vegan - I think readers will find it an easier way to approach making the switch to a vegan diet than some other books that make you feel like you need to go "all in" from the very beginning.
May 4, 2011
Everybody who eats should read this book. Here, you can find all of the good reasons to eat a truly healthy diet; health, nutrition, avoiding illness, longer and more active life, and reducing the horrid cruelty to animals that occurs in factory farms. I was impressed by all the interviews with true experts in the field. I was also impressed by the depth into which each aspect in the areas of health is explored. I also appreciated Freston's appproach to being a vegan--you don't have to go crazy; you can "lean toward" being a vegan and gain the fantastic benefits. My only qualm was toward the end of the book, when various supermarket items are listed--way too much processed food.
July 27, 2011
With its breezy, friendly style and chapters headed with "promises" about the benefits of going vegan, this is a very appealing book. Freston sells veganism well, claiming it will make you healthier, save you money, help you lose weight "effortlessly", and help the environment, among other things. In the back matter, she suggests three weeks worth of menu plans (no recipes, and a heavy reliance on soy meat-replacement products), offers a shopping list, and points to several cookbooks and websites. If you're already veg*n, there is nothing new here. If you are curious about why someone would want to give up meat AND dairy AND eggs, check this one out.
March 1, 2016
I thought this book had some good information, but if you've already read a lot on the topic, there's nothing new. She covers the usual topics: health, environment, plight of factory farmed animals, etc. Sometimes came across a bit preachy, but I can't say she's wrong. Since finally becoming completely vegan a month ago, I have saved some money, lost ten pounds, become more--ahem--regular, and my blood pressure has dropped to an awesome 102/69. I wish I could tell you how great I'm feeling, but right now I'm fighting off a terrible cold foisted on me by germ-ridden house guests (and you know who you are), so I guess being vegan can't fix everything.
January 13, 2012
I really liked this book. I have been researching food in relation to health for about 9-10 months now, and I like to refresh every so often. This book talks about vegan eating from health standpoints, enviromental standpoints, animal cruelty standpoints, spiritual standpoints, ect.
I have been eating dairy free since last April, but this book has really pushed me into giving up meat as well. I am going to give it a try as of yesterday! The animal cruely stuff is really powerful.
I have been eating dairy free since last April, but this book has really pushed me into giving up meat as well. I am going to give it a try as of yesterday! The animal cruely stuff is really powerful.
January 4, 2013
My favorite vegan info book so far.
Author Kathy Freston talks about 'leaning' into the vegan lifestyle...
I got a lot of good info from this book and I consider myself an ethical vegan. I am very pro animal rights.
Author Kathy Freston talks about 'leaning' into the vegan lifestyle...
I got a lot of good info from this book and I consider myself an ethical vegan. I am very pro animal rights.
February 6, 2011
As far as books promoting veganism, this one falls short. I recommend Skinny Bitch. It's entertaining, informative, and supplies the concise raw truth. Don't waste your time or money on Veganist.
April 17, 2011
It's hard to read a book when you feel like kicking the author in the shin. There are better books out there on this topic.
September 21, 2019
I recommend reading most of the interviewed doctors: Ornish, McDougall, et al.
July 5, 2023
Before I begin, I want to clarify the position I am commenting from: I have a daughter who is entirely vegan for health and moral issues, and I am an omnivore who is making more vegan choices to support my daughter, for health reasons (I'm not getting any younger and the weight is starting to stick more), and because I am not happy about supporting cruel factory farming practices with my food dollars. On to the book: With a title like "Veganist," it's pretty clear what you're getting into when you pick it up. The general arguments for going vegan are fairly well-trodden and fine, but I had a few quibbles. First, I find that some of the promised benefits of a vegan diet seem to overpromise. Some of the comments from others are uncritically reprinted (I listened to the audiobook and I'm not going back to double-check the wording, but I seem to recall one person quoted as referring to all chicken, of all types, as "carcinogenic." Hmm). The number of processed vegan foods recommended in the sample menus and shopping lists at the end were a little eyebrow-raising. Processed food is processed food and not necessarily the best for you in large quantities. Finally, there's no critical look at farming practices of nonmeat foods that might be questionable. What about raising water-hungry crops in areas experiencing an alarming degree of groundwater depletion, like almonds grown in Southern California? What about coconuts being picked by monkeys in Thailand? Heck, what about the poor treatment and payment of itinerant farm workers in the United States? I sometimes wince when eating almonds, coconuts, and vegetables, knowing about those issues, but I do not feel bad about the eggs I eat that I buy from a local farm stand, because I can see the chickens strutting about on the farm next door, leading what appears to be a pretty darn good life. I guess my point is that although eating more plants is generally a very good idea, which I support, everything is a trade-off, and the more honest we can be up front about the multiple sides an issue may have, we may end up having a more productive dialogue.
February 5, 2018
I loved this book. First of all, I love her approach to becoming a vegan. I have wanted to give up meat and dairy and struggled with cravings for along time. It took me about 3 years to give up all meat and dairy completely. Kathy's approach is gradual and lets you know that becoming a vegan does not have to be all or nothing. This is not a diet plan but covers several topics which make an overall case for adopting a plant based diet. Kathy covers all the physical health reasons including weight loss, avoiding and curing diseases like cancer and heart disease, and avoiding food born illness. The fact that influenza is a virus born in barnyards was news to me. Kathy also covers the topics of saving money at the grocery store and environmental reasons including problems with factory farming and world hunger. Finally Kathy discusses world religions and some great spiritual teachers who advocate for plant based diets and the treatment of animals. This books is well researched and Kathy includes several interviews with experts and personal stories of individuals who have become veganists. Whether you are already dead set on being vegan or just entertaining the notion, this book is a good read.
September 17, 2020
I switched to a plant based diet almost a year ago, so I thought it would be interested to see if a book written over 10 years old would hold up. Overall I liked the tone of this book, the author gives compelling facts and doesn't preach about being a vegan. I especially liked that she encourages small changes, it's not an all or nothing approach.
I've seen so many incredible changes within my family over the last year, I'm a believer. Thankfully it's a lot easier to eat this way than it was 10 years ago, there is no doubt that this lifestyle works. I think there are better books on the subject, but this is a very good introduction to vegan/vegetarian diets.
I've seen so many incredible changes within my family over the last year, I'm a believer. Thankfully it's a lot easier to eat this way than it was 10 years ago, there is no doubt that this lifestyle works. I think there are better books on the subject, but this is a very good introduction to vegan/vegetarian diets.
June 5, 2021
I've read a lot of books about veganism, including cases for going vegan, and this one basically follows the same model. There are a list of reasons to go vegan in chapter form and it is pretty much the same as other books that list the reasons: animal welfare/rights, human health, environment, global hunger, etc.... I've read so many of these that usually reading another one is not really that groundbreaking for me anymore. Some of the data and information seems a little reductive, but I hope that those who pick this one up are able to better think about how their food choices affect others (including animals) and themselves.
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