Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Plant-Based Diet [Paperback]

Brenda Davis (Author), Vesanto Melina (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2000

The authors of Becoming Vegetarian explore the benefits of a vegan diet (eating without meat, eggs or dairy products). More and more people are being motivated to become vegans because of the impact of their nutritional choices on their health, the environment, animal rights, and human hunger. As registered dietitians, Davis and Melina are well-qualified to provide the latest information on:

how a vegan diet can protect against cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses getting all the protein you need without meat meeting your needs for calcium without dairy products what vegans need to know about B12 why good fats are vital to healthy and how to get them balanced diets for infants, children, and seniors pregnancy and breast-feeding tips for vegan moms considerations for overweight, underweight, and eating disorders achieving peak performance as a vegan athlete how to deal gracefully with a non vegan world

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brenda Davis is a registered dietitian in private practice and co-author of the The New Becoming Vegetarian and Defeating Diabetes. She is a recognized leader in her field and an internationally acclaimed speaker. Chairperson of the Vegetarian Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association from 1999-2000, Brenda specializes in essential fatty acid nutrition and lifecycle challenges, and has published numerous articles on these and other topics relating to vegetarian nutrition. Vesanto Melina is a registered dietitian and co-author of The Food Allergy Survival Guide, New Becoming Vegetarian, and Raising Vegetarian Children. She co-authored the most recent Position Paper on Vegetarian Diets and coordinated the vegetarian section of the Manual of Clinical Dietetics, 6th Edition, both joint projects of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 281 pages
• Publisher: Book Publishing Company (TN); 1 edition (April 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570671036
• ISBN-13: 978-1570671036
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.6 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (116 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Diets & Weight Loss > Vegetarian

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

577 of 585 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Must Read" for V-People and Anyone Considering a New Diet October 13, 2000

By Peter Roosen

Format:Paperback

I just read Brenda Davis' and Vesanto Melina's new book "Becoming Vegan" and am thoroughly impressed with the material and its presentation.

The authors did a much more rigorous job of researching and presenting the current scientific data, presenting both the pro and contrary findings than in earlier works. I found the directness refreshing in comparison to some of the less scientific and more evangelistic writings that have been published.

Highlights are:

-A unique and thought-provoking look at the relationship between diet and chronic disease and the protective effects of vegan diets against the leading killers.

-One of the most convincing and well researched explanations on why plant proteins are both adequate and preferable to animal protein as the major protein source for humans.

-The most comprehensive examination of dietary fat and essential fatty acids for vegans written to date.

-A thorough and practical discussion on all of the vitamins and minerals of concern to vegans, including calcium, iron and vitamin B12.

-Invaluable guidelines for people at various stages of the lifecycle: pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence and the senior years.

-A detailed and thoughtful discussion on matters of weight and shape including underweight, overweight and eating disorders.

-Straight-shooting advice about vegan diets and athletic performance.

-An exceptional vegan food guide, helping you design a well-balanced vegan diet.

-A lively discussion about diplomacy and how to handle sticky situations gracefully in this nonvegan world.

I suggest this to you as a must read and something for anyone either considering or already on a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Peter Roosen.

143 of 148 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The nuts and bolts of the Vegan diet! April 11, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am not a vegan, but am interested in the diet. I may give it a go, at least to see what it is like, after reading this book and seeing how straightforward and non-exotic it really is! I don't think I will ever be interested in the political aspects of Veganism, so the de-emphasized political tone was welcome in this helpful book, which did a lot to make it straightforward and non-intimidating! (If you want more history/political background, there are a number of excellent books out there you should read in addition to this one.)

The book is long on the nuts and bolts of veganism -- benefits and pitfalls, how to plan a varied, good tasting, healthy menu, how to get the vitamins and minerals that are more difficult to get on a plant-based diet, etc. It does not spend a lot of time on a soapbox, nor proselytizing -- I suppose the assumption is that the reader is open minded simply by the fact that he or she is reading it. Either way, it gives straightforward, no-nonsense advice on how to do it and be healthy while doing so!

One nice touch is a section towards the back called "Vegan Diplomacy" -- which has tactics of how to deal with non-vegans, especially those whose minds are a bit more closed to this kind of thing, and how to maintain good relations with a meat eating world!

This book is a "must have" if one is contemplating going Vegan or interested in the diet.

118 of 124 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sure to become a well-worn resource book! June 23, 2001

By Melanie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Anyone familiar with Becoming Vegetarian, written by the same authors, knows what a valuable resource it is for vegetarians or those hoping to make the switch to a vegetarian lifestyle. Now there is a similar book with all the latest nutritional information just for vegans. It covers everything you could possibly want to know about a healthy vegan diet, including detailed sections on fats, vitamins, and minerals; feeding children; eating while pregnant; overweight; eating disorders; and eating for athletes. Also included are chapters on the roots of veganism, plant proteins, carbohydrates, phytochemicals, vegan diplomacy, and more. This book was written by two of the foremost authorities on vegetarian and vegan nutrition, Brenda Davis, R.D. and Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D. Brenda Davis is chair of the Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association and a noted author, speaker, and educator. Vesanto Melina is the author of three vegetarian cookbooks and the coordinator of the vegetarian section of the Manual of Clinical Dietetics, 6th Ed. She is a respected speaker and consultant and has taught nutrition at the University of British Columbia and Bastyr University.... This book is sure to become a well-worn resource. --Reviewed by Melanie Wilson