As of this writing, if you Google "Vegetarians are" you'll find that the top 3 answers are: Healthier, Smarter and Evil. This really highlights the love–hate relationship we have with our diets, conscience and food.
According to WorldAtlas, opens a new window in 2018 the most commonly eaten vegetable is actually a fruit, the tomato, opens a new window! Even scientist can't agree on what constitutes a fruit or a vegetable. Regardless of what is a vegetable or fruit, both are considered healthy and good for the environment.
October 1st marks World Vegetarian Day, opens a new window and I'm celebrating it by taking you on my media/book/information consumption trip leading to becoming a vegan almost 2 years ago. It all started by watching the documentary What the Health on Netflix. The main premise being the rapid health benefits of becoming vegan. How avoiding meats and diary foods altogether can reverse heart disease and diabetes. Mentioned briefly in this documentary, I learned about the so called "vegan bible," The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, Ph. D., which details the results of his longitudinal study in China about the effects of animal protein -- once thought as the cornerstone of nutrition.
I have to admit I listened to the audio book many times to really absorb the myriad of facts, interesting analogies, citations, graphs, and crucial language. Worth the arduous undertaking!
In the process of learning to eat in a Whole Food Plant-Based manner and researching more books, I came across the PBS documentary In Defense of Food and the independently made Forks Over Knives. Both focus on the science and looming catastrophe of our planet's ability to sustain our current carnivore habits.
One of the books I found interesting is How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Greger. Dr. Greger examines the fifteen top causes of premature death in America -- heart disease, cancers, diabetes, Parkinson's, high blood pressure, and more -- and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes trump prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches, freeing us to live healthier lives. Dr. Greger is relatable and entertaining is his writing and provides many sensible pointers for new vegetarians. I definitely recommend!
How Not to Die (Book)
How Not to Die (eBook)
I am omitting cookbooks in this post as I am a bit of a boring cook 😉 but if you have any recommendations, please share below!
Add a comment to: World Vegetarian Day