Plant-Based Nutrition
Every mainstream health organization recommends eating more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains and imposes restrictions on animal-product consumption. Eating more plant foods is universally recommended by all major health organizations, and vegetarianism and veganism are simply the natural extension of this recommendation.
There is a reason mainstream health organizations are trying to get the public to eat more fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Plant-foods are high in disease-fighting fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants; they have no artery-clogging cholesterol and are generally low in saturated fat.
Conversely, animal products have no fiber, phytochemicals, or significant amounts of antioxidants, and they are loaded with cholesterol and saturated fat. They also bring a high risk factor for numerous chronic degenerative diseases like heart disease and stroke. The American Dietetic Association states:
“Appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, as well as for athletes.”
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is an organization of medical doctors and researchers. They promote preventive medicine, conduct clinical research, and encourage higher standards of ethics and effectiveness in research.
Plant-based Nutrition Resources:
NutritionFacts.org
Dr. Michael Greger‘s NutritionFacts.org is a great resource for all your veg health questions. Dr. Greger does extensive research on all the latest nutrition information and compiles short informative videos.
NutriSpeak
Plant-based nutrition and health information from Vesanto Melina, Registered Dietitian. Lots of great book recommendations, info on food allergies, raising vegan children, vegan food guides and more.
Dr. McDougall.com
McDougall is one of the pioneers of nutritionally-based preventative medicine and is a local resource if you live in Northern California (he practices in Santa Rosa). Although most doctors know very little about nutrition, McDougall has studied it exhaustively for his entire career.
