Product Description

This is the one we’ve all been waiting for - all you need to know about healthy vegan eating, based on the most up to date scientific studies and researched and written by the Chair of the Vegan Society.

This is the book no vegan should be without – not just for our own health, but to challenge myths about veganism put about by the ignorant, the uninformed and those with vested interests in the exploitation of animals.

Studies show that vegetarians live years longer than the general population. With the right choices, vegans could live even longer than vegetarians. We all know we should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and make sure we get our B12, but after that it gets confusing:
* Which foods help us to achieve and maintain an ideal weight?
* How can we reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer?
* We've all heard of cholesterol, but what about homocysteine?
* Where should we get our omega-3 fatty acids?
* Which foods protect our bones and which guard against dementia?
* Why do the Japanese live so much longer?
* What about the Mediterranean diet?
* Do we need a host of expensive pills and potions to achieve a balanced diet?

Backed up by 37 pages of scientific references.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #467460 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 240 pages

From the Publisher
Throughout the book, the emphasis is on support for individual choice rather than any uniform prescription. For those who want a balanced, healthy and enjoyable diet, there are simple guidelines indicating the best approach. For those who want all the details, there are full explanations and a wealth of scientific references. No expensive supplements or exotic foodstuffs are required and everything recommended can be easily and cheaply obtained.

All the recommendations are based on human studies, often involving many thousands of people. None of the recommendations is based on information obtained from experiments on animals.

From the Author
"I am not interested in research for the sake of fine debating " Stephen says, "but to help people improve their lives."

"Studies show that vegetarians live years longer than the general population. With the right choices, vegans could live even longer than vegetarians."

About the Author
Researched and written by the Chair of the Vegan Society - Stephen Walsh. The result of many months of study and discussion, both within the UK and internationally [the author is also Science Coordinator of the International Vegetarian Union]

Acclaimed by The Sunday Times as an "accomplished databuster" in debunking spurious claims by the dairy industry, Stephen Walsh has analysed the results of thousands of scientific studies to produce straightforward recommendations for optimal health at all stages of life.

Customer Reviews

No jargon just the facts.
This book is very easy to read whilst still retaining scientific elements. At the end of each chapter is a short summary making it very hard to forget what you have just read!

This book should give valuable ammunition for those considering a totally vegetarian diet (No animal products). Any worries about deficiencies are covered including the usual suspects - vitamin B12, calcium, iron and protein requirements. Stephen Walsh has worked totally without payment and thus all proceeds go the the Vegan Society. After reading this book that annoying question "So what do you eat?", should be heard less and less (hopefully!)

There's little else currently on the market as comprehensive as this.

Facts Statistics Research Proof - vegan diet is the future
Parts of it are pretty heavy going - It's clear Stephen Walsh is a "databuster" rather than a new Patrick Holford but there are great "Veganism for Dummies" sections at the end of each chapter.

Pages and pages of research - Walsh must have spent years in The British Library finding all those studies.

He says you could eke out an extra 10 years of healthy living compared with following the average western diet - it's got to be worth the £7.95 for the chance of that alone!

Hopefully this book will inspire you to buy one of the excellent new healthy vegan cookbooks on Amazon (ISBN 0600611906 £7.19), visit The Vegan Society Website and make a difference to people, animals and the environment.

Balanced and well-researched
Stephen Walsh is chair of the Vegan society; you could argue that he has a vested interest. However, throughout the book I was impressed with just how balanced his advice was. His reference list shows just how much effort went into researching the facts for the benefit of the readers' health, rather than promoting veganism.

The author did not bestow upon himself the unregulated title of 'nutritionist', nor did I spot any unsubstantiated claims. Instead he presented the recomendations given by government departments and scientific authorities, and offered suggestions as to how these could be met. Biological processes were clearly explained; some of these are inherently complex. This may put some readers off, but for me it validated the recommendations by putting them into context.

I am not a vegan, nor am I about to become one; however I will refer to this book to make the most of the (increasing) plant-based element of my diet.