April 15, 2021
Part of the Q & A Health Guide series, this manual addresses common questions regarding meatless and non-animal-product diets. Introductory material includes an overview of plant-based regimens, concise but helpful guidance about evaluating health advice, and a few pages that shoot down commonly expressed misconceptions regarding the cost, monotony, and physical consequences of vegetarian cuisine. The main section offers detailed responses to over 30 queries, ranging from basic (What is a plant-based diet?) to advanced (What are lectins, and why are they a problem when eating a vegetarian or vegan diet?) to specific situations (Can pregnant women have a healthy baby while following a vegetarian or vegan diet?) to social aspects (How can I convince my family and friends to accept my plant-based diet without alienating them?). Answers are straightforward and factual, if a little dry, and entries feature occasional references to popular trends (Mediterranean Diet, China Study). A glossary and list of resources round things out. Readers looking for no-nonsense, researched-based information will find it here.
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May 1, 2021
Registered dietician Richer (Food Allergies) follows the format of other books in Greenwood's "Q&A Health Guides" series, aimed at young adults and college-age readers. The introduction discusses vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, and pescatarian diets, as well as their underlying philosophies. Thirty-three questions and answers follow ("What are the potential health benefits of plant-based diets?" "Why is soy so controversial?"). Five case studies (profiling, for instance, a pregnant woman, and a person having trouble adhering to a nutritious diet), a glossary, and a directory of resources complete the book. VERDICT Evenhanded, with solid nutritional information and suggestions for navigating social interactions when adopting new eating patterns.
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