Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide To Adopting A Healthy Plant-Based Diet. - Brief Article - Review - book review

Vegetarian Journal, March, 2001 by Reed Mangels

Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina, two vegetarian dietitians, have written an outstanding 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, addresses the needs of children and pregnant women, 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 those who want to know more about veganism.

This book is a credible resource on vegan diets. Many complex issues, including lipid metabolism and the stages of vitamin [B.sub.12] deficiency, are clearly explained. 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.

Readers should note that this is not a cookbook and only a couple of recipes are given. However, the book is full of practical tips and ideas.

I highly recommend Becoming Vegan to vegans who want to learn more about vegan nutrition, health care professionals, and those interested in moving toward a more plant-based diet.

Becoming Vegan (ISBN 1-57067-103-6) is published by the Book Publishing Co. It can be ordered from The Vegetarian Resource Group, PO Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203 for $20.95 including postage. Reviewed by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD..