Ever wonder what the difference is between being a vegan and following a plant-based diet? Trying to lose weight on a vegan plan and not succeeding? We asked an expert: Plant-based nutrition expert Julieanna Hever, author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Gluten-Free Vegan Cooking" (click to order) and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition" (click to buy now). Get her insights below.
"The optimal way to lose weight is by eating whole plant foods," emphasizes Julieanna. However, "some vegans turn to refined, processed foods because they are looking to replace their previous diet. Those processed foods, including oils and sweeteners, are concentrated sources of calories. The goal is to base your intake of foods that are high in intact fiber and water to promote satiety with the fewest calories." Tip: Get great ideas for cooking from vegan physician Dr. Neal Barnard's book: "The Get Healthy, Go Vegan Cookbook: 125 Easy and Delicious Recipes to Jump-Start Weight Loss and Help You Feel Great" (click to buy).
The Paleo diet has become increasingly popular, and Julieanna supports the fact that it "is healthier than the standard American diet because it emphasizes whole plant foods and minimizes processed foods." But she warns about the animal products featured on Paleo diets. "Eating animal products has been associated with multiple chronic diseases including heart disease and certain cancers. Animal products are filled with steroids, hormones, cholesterol, saturated fats, concentrated pesticides, medication residues, and other toxins and are completely void of fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants --- nutrients rich in plant foods and critical for the prevention of disease."
In addition, Julieanna cautions, "Eating large amounts of animal products is unsustainable from an ecological perspective. I have heard from experts say that we would require two Earths to sustain paleo eaters if it progresses. Overall, eating animal products is risky to your health and to the longevity of the planet." Ready to shift? Learn more by reading "Forks Over Knives - The Cookbook: Over 300 Recipes for Plant-Based Eating All Through the Year" (click to buy). And be sure to get Julieanna's wonderful book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition," now by clicking here.
As to whether you should call yourself a vegan or a plant-based dieter, Julieanna offers these insights: "A vegan diet attaches a philosophical standpoint for many people and is not a biological term as is herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore. Additionally, saying you eat vegan simply explains what you do not include in your diet, thus it is exclusive. Being a vegan means you eschew animal products, but it does not say what you actually do eat. On the other hand, "whole food, plant-based" defines what you actually include in your diet....it means your diet is based on whole plant foods, and is inclusive. A vegan can eat a whole food, plant-based diet but a whole food, plant-based eater does not necessarily have to be vegan."
