Reviews of Becoming Vegan by Medical Doctors, Registered Dietitians


Reviews of "Becoming Vegan" by Medical Doctors, Registered Dietitians, Health Professionals, and others

I suggest you buy "Becoming Vegan” by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina. It’s a terrific book that will answer all your questions.
David L Katz, MD. Oprah magazine (see Q&A below)*

"All I can say is "Bravo!" This is the definitive work on vegan nutrition and I can heartily recommend it to all. A magnificent job presenting up-to-date information on this most important subject."
Michael Klaper MD, Hawaii, LA, and New Zealand

"Every so often a book comes along that you feel should be on every vegan's bookshelf (and probably every vegetarian's too). Becoming Vegan is one such book. Written by two Canadian dietitians, Becoming Vegan is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to vegan nutrition.
Paul Appleby, researcher and statistician in The Oxford Study and The EPIC study,
Oxford, England

Brenda Davis, the American Dietetic Association's Vegetarian Nutrition Chair, and Vesanto Melina have written an out-standing guide to vegan diets. Becoming Vegan begins with a look at the history of the vegan movement, goes on to thoroughly cover basic nutrition topics for vegans, provides a vegan food guide, and discusses topics like overweight, eating disorders, and the vegan athlete. It ends with an excellent chapter on vegan diplomacy and vegan resources. Davis and Melina, who previously worked together on Becoming Vegetarian, have written a book that will appeal to both health care professionals and educated lay-people.
Many complex issues, including lipid metabolism and the stages of vitamin B-12 deficiency are clearly explained using a variety of techniques to great advantage. The book features a number of tables, bulleted points, sidebars, and boxed bulletins to simplify information and to reinforce points made in the text. Case studies also give the reader very practical, useful help. While some of the information presented may be over-the-head of the beginning vegan with no nutrition background, the tables and summary points could be easily used by even a beginner to understand the more important issues.
The tone of the book is both humorous and serious. Humor is used to add life to the sometimes ponderous topic of vegetarian nutrition while the discussion of eating disorders is done so sensitively that I know that I will refer to this chapter again and again.
Nutrition professionals can rely on this book as a credible source of information for themselves and for their clients. While only selected references are included in the book, a website is given where a more complete list of references can be found.
I highly recommend Becoming Vegan to health care professionals, vegans, and those interested in moving towards a more plant-based diet."
Reviewed by Reed Mangels, PhD, Registered Dietitian, Amherst MA

"Becoming Vegan is packed, virtually packed with useful information. Congratulations to Brenda and to you for a terrific job."
Louise Lambert Lagacé, Registered Dietitian, Montreal

Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Plant-based Diet by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina, Book Publishing Company.
A new book by two registered dietitians (one the chair of the ADA's Vegetarian Practice Group and the other a coordinator of the vegetarian section of the Manual of Clinical Dietetics) is one of the most comprehensive, interesting and inspiring books ever published on vegan diets. Ranging from a fascinating history of the vegetarian and vegan movements from the 19th century to the most scientifically accurate studies from the late 1990's, BECOMING VEGAN is a wonderful book on many counts. A note from the authors at the beginning of the book declares "Every step you take towards a more compassionate world is one of celebration." Then the entire 281 pages of this user friendly book is full of facts, figures, research results, nutrient counts, tables, side bars and recipes that will turn even the most skeptical reader toward a more plant-based diet - truly reason to celebrate. A chapter on vegan diplomacy offers advice for vegans in a non-vegetarian world. A chapter on raising children as vegans offers reassuring data from scores of studies. Whole chapters devoted to fats, carbohydrates, and minerals answer every conceivable question about which foods in our diets contribute to health and which detract from it. Be sure to get two copies of this book: one to send to your relatives who worry about the way you eat and one to keep handy on the most accessible shelf in your house.
Patti Breitman, literary agent for John Robbins' "Diet for a New America", San Francisco.

"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 rigorous job of researching and presenting the current scientific data, presenting both the pro and contrary findings. 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.
       Peter Roosen, Vancouver BC.

“Becoming Vegan” by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina is an impressive new guide to adopting a healthy plant-based diet. It follows “Becoming Vegetarian,” which I’ve come to rely on as a storehouse of practical information.
A vegan (pronounced “vee-gun”) diet is based on fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It excludes all foods made from or by animals – even honey. Many vegans don’t wear leather, silk, or wool, or use soaps and household products that contain animal ingredients.
As someone who doesn’t follow a vegan lifestyle, I squirmed a little as I read the introduction to this book. But it didn’t take me long to get comfortable – and become engrossed. “Becoming Vegan” doesn’t set out to convert its readers. Rather, it tells you how to balance your diet if you chose to be vegan, or if you’re shifting your eating pattern in that direction. And while the authors are personally committed to the vegan way, they’re honest and fair-minded in their presentation of the pros and cons of different eating styles.
“Becoming Vegan” is a must read for new vegetarians and parents whose kids suddenly decide they don’t want to eat animals. Davis and Melina offer practical advice for the child who wants to live on pasta and bread (yes, some “vegetarian” kids turn up their noses at vegetables!) as well as the adult who mistakenly tries to get by on salads and stir-fried veggies.
Judy Toews, M.Sc, Registered Dietitian, Nelson, British Columbia.

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.

As a 53 year old male and veggie (not always strict vegan) for 30 years, I have not found a book as informative on vegan nutrition as “Becoming Vegan”.
John Mooter, Pennsylvania

While Becoming Vegetarian really makes the case for a vegetarian diet, Becoming Vegan is perfect for those of us already converted vegetarians who need a reference that covers every aspect of daily nutritional concerns.
Highlights include the Vegan Food Pyramid, as well as whole chapters on the truth about the health benefits of the vegan diet, plant protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Incredibly useful are the chapters dedicated to kids, elderly, overweight, eating disorders, underweight, and athletes. For example, the "Growing Vegans" chapter for kids includes sections on vegan babies, a vegan food guide for toddlers, how to (realistically) plan a vegan diet for a child, the slow-growing child, the picky eater, soy allergies, and teens.
The book ends with an inspiring chapter on tactful vegan diplomacy and an appendix of useful information. With a wide scope yet an ability to remain comprehensive, this book is a must have for everyone from the lacto-ovo vegetarian who is heavy on the lacto to the strict vegan - it should be the required textbook for Vegetarianism 101.
Trevor Murdock, Victoria, Vancouver Island

Aimed at the more motivated vegetarian, Becoming Vegan is densely packed with useful information. It makes a super gift for anyone who wants complete, accurate, up-to-date information on planning a healthful diet free of all animal products. The authors include solid information for all stages of the lifecycle. Athletes, weight loss and gain, a food guide pyramid especially for vegans and a small resource section.
Vegetarian Nutrition and Health Letter

Thank you so much for inspiring me! I am on chapter 3 and it is hard for me to put the book down.
Sandy Otton, Pennsylvania

I just wanted to take the time to tell you how thrilled I was to see "Becoming Vegan" come out. I have been a vegetarian for 6 years and a vegan for 2 of those years and during my transition to veganism I was desperate for guidance and good nutritional information. I know this wonderful book will keep me on the right track and give me the guidance, confidence and courage to continue my veganism forever. I have also recommended your other two books- "Becoming Vegetarian" and "Cooking Vegetarian" to countless vegetarians and non-vegetarians (new and old) while working in the natural foods industry. These books have provided a wealth of quality nutritional information for many people and I must thank you for that.
Lucia Sollecito, Calgary

I marched down to Selfridges and bought a copy of “Becoming Vegan”.
I must say that I would have been lost without it, and, what is worse, I would have neglected many indispensable ingredients that constitute a healthy diet.
You have made a profound influence on my eating habits; and I'm sure that you have done the same for many people. Thank you once again for taking the time to write a sound book that will undoubtedly aid many people on the path to a better life. It is reassuring to know that there are other people in the world who have a deep and immutable concern for nature and life, and are willing to go out and make a positive difference.
Tony Overington, London, England

From Journal of Nutrition Education
"Overall, Becoming Vegan supplies an in depth view of vegan nutrition. The information is too detailed for novice vegans and would be best suited for use by a registered dietitian and possibly by a physician when counseling vegan patients.
      Natalie Rosemeyer and Lynn Siecke, Graduate Dietetic Interns and
      Melanie Tracy Burns, PhD, RD, Assistant Professor and Dietetic Coordinator
      School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Easter Illinois University, Charleston IL.

*From Oprah magazine, August 2006, page 124.
Q. My 14 year old niece has decided to become a vegan. Is the diet nutritionally sound for a growing girl?
Paulinka Frances, Mississauga, Ontario
A. Vegetarianism is generally healthy for both the person and the planet. Most of the available evidence suggests less cancer obesity, diabetes and heart disease in vegetarians. And benefits to the environment relate to the fact than many more acres of crops are needed to raise livestock than to feed people directly. But you are right to ask about a vegan diet—one with no meat, no dairy, no eggs. For your niece, I recommend mostly natural foods rather than processed ones, and at least 10 percent of her calories should be protein, which can come from a varied diet of beans, lentils, soy, and grains. She’ll need to supplement 2.4 micrograms of B12. Since I can’t offer comprehensive guidance here, I suggest you buy "Becoming Vegan” by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina for your niece. It’s a terrific book that will answer all your questions…..and hers.
David L Katz, MD., professor at Yale University and medical contributor for ABC News