Even for those of us who weren’t chemistry buffs, the periodic table of elements always had interesting appeal, perhaps because the renowned chart demonstrated so much ingenuity and potential in the world around us. What else has potential? Choosing vegan foods. Simply by leaving animals off of our plates, we can prevent and reverse illness, preserve the environment and precious resources, and protect billions of cows, chickens, and pigs from a life of suffering.
Here’s some news to chew on: According to a newly-published report featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), vegetarians are likely to live longer than their meat-eating friends.
The Washington Post recently wrote about our friends at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), highlighting the organization’s healthy workplace culture and vegan office policies. PCRM, which promotes plant-based eating as preventative medicine, also encourages vegan recipe exchanges and food sharing (people take turns making smoothies certain mornings.) Why implement these initiatives? PCRM Director of Nutrition Education Susan Levin says simply, “We want to practice what we preach.”
There are few books out there that have revolutionized how people look at their dinner plate like Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s The China Study. Exhaustively researched, Campbell’s work is the definitive guide on the health benefits of plant-based eating, and he argues that most chronic diseases can even be prevented or reversed through diet. The China Study inspired the groundbreaking documentary Forks Over Knives, a cookbook, a foundation, an online plant-based nutrition program at eCornell, and so much more.
Dr. Campbell picks up right where The China Study left off with his new book Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition, released earlier this month. Whole explains the science behind all the evidence presented in The China Study. Dr. Campbell spoke with us about his new book and shared some strategies for helping others adopt and sustain a plant-based diet.
From Tofurky sausages to Gardein chicken to Daiya vegan cheese, plant-based meats and dairy products are quickly gaining popularity–and winning over the hearts and tastes of thousands. In fact, according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, meat consumption nationwide has decreased 12% since 2007–and more people are searching for information on vegan eating.
With nationwide childhood obesity rates reaching unprecedented levels, it’s clear that the time has come to swap the greasy cafeteria “mystery” meatloaf and fatty chicken nuggets out for healthier protein-packed plant-based options. This cafeteria conversion is well underway in schools across the US — from Meatless Mondays to all veg menus — and it’s good news for our health, the planet, and animals.
Can you imagine a day when vegans and vegetarians are no longer asked “where do you get your protein?” — but rather, the initial knee-jerk response to finding out that someone still eats meat is: “But, how do you get enough nutrients in your diet?”
This day might be closer than we think thanks to vegan athletes like triathlete Brendan Brazier, ultra runners Rich Roll and Scott Jurek and NFL guard Deuce Lutui making headlines, winning events and showing off toned, muscular physiques.
Given all the health research behind the benefits of a vegan diet, it makes sense that eliminating animal product intake would enhance athletic performance.
Our fifth annual US VegWeek wrapped up on Sunday, and it was a resounding success!
The weeklong celebration highlighting the many benefits and flavors of vegetarian eating included more than 3,500 people from coast to coast taking our 7-Day VegPledge, 140 restaurant specials offered in 21 states, 150 events held in 33 states, and more media coverage than ever before.
Move over saturated fat and cholesterol; there are two new health culprits in town that are linked to raising heart disease risk. Last month, news circulated widely about one of these culprits when research revealed how consumption of l-carnitine, found abundantly in red meat as well as in dairy, fish and chicken, plays a significant role in the development of heart disease.
In addition, just last week, a new study revealed that through a similar process, lecithin, found in eggs, also raises heart disease risk.