Why would I change my food choices?

There are many reasons to transition to a plant-based/vegan lifestyle. Most reasons fall into three major categories:

1. personal health

2. environmental impact

3. animal welfare.
   
   There are plenty of resources out there to help you tap into your why-power. Once the reason(s) resonate within you, you will be highly motivated to start making some small changes that have a big impact. No matter your reasons why, I’ve got you covered!

• Forks Over Knives: Not just a film, FOK has a ton of resources to set you up for success. An elaborate website, cookbooks, meal planning, and even online classes!

• Game Changers: A great place to start to understand why the top athletes all over the world live and thrive on plants.

• What the Health: Insight into how our health system is broken and not supporting true health.

• Cowspiracy: Reveals just how much animal agriculture destroys our planet.

• Eating Animals: Highlights the farmers and the whistle-blowers who are standing up against the atrocities of factory farming. Based on the book, Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer.

• Seaspiracy: A hard look at what is happening in our oceans, and the harms of commercial fishing, hunting and plastics. You won’t believe how critical ocean health is to our very existence!

• The 30 Day Alzheimer’s Solution by Ayesha Sherzai, MD, MAS and Dean Sherzai, MD, PhD: Although their focus is on brain health, what is good for the brain is good for the whole body, so they are one of my favorite resources! Their book, The 30 Day Alzheimer’s Solution is part education and part cookbook, and all amazing!

• Nourish by Reshma Shah, MD, MPH and Brenda Davis, RD: A beautiful book full book taking you through the proven benefits to eating more plants and why it is is a healthy choice for families with children. It myth-busts nutritional worries, and explains nutritional science in a way that is informative and easy to understand. It also has lovely selection of delicious recipes to get you started. A must for any household, but especially for ones with kids!

• Mastering Diabetes by Cyrus Khambatta, PhD and Robby Barbaro, MPH: Two experts who have Type 1 Diabetes show how a plant-based lifestyle can reverse insulin resistance. It is mostly educational but also has recipes in the back.

• The Starch Solution. by Dr John McDougall, MD: Explains why carbs are NOT the enemy, how a high-starch, low-fat, plant-based lifestyle leads to optimal health, and also provides tons of great recipes! The Dr. McDougall website has tons of online learning, books & cookbooks, podcasts, an app, and even a retreat program. There’s a format for every type of learner - whether you want the quick and easy, or the super in-depth lecture series.

• The Pleasure Trap by Dr. Doug Lisle, PhD and Dr. Alan Goldhamer: Breaks down the psychology and sociology of eating, why making mindful choices can be so challenging, and what to do about it. Dr. Lisle is a psychologist that works with Dr. McDougall and True North Health Center. He has a free video series discussing the book on his site.

• The Proof is in the Plants by Simon Hill: Simon Hill is a nutritionist and physiotherapist that breaks down the latest nutritional research in an easy-to-understand guidebook about how eating plants can make us healthier and protect our planet. He also has a website and a podcast called Plant Proof.

If you like to read up on data and go down rabbit holes, check out:

• The China Study, by T. Collin Campbell & Thomas M. Campbell. The China Study was discussed in FOK, but the book will deliver even more details. It is the largest and longest study ever done linking food to overall health. You can also learn a great deal from their website: NutritionStudies.org.

• How Not to Die, by  Michael Greger, Gene Stone. How Not to Die goes into detail about the 15 most common diseases, and how to combat them through nutrition. Dr. Greger also has a plethora of information on his website NutritionFacts.org., and a book

• Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: Lead by Neal D. Barnard, MD, The Physicians Committee is a group of over 12,000 physicians dedicated to “putting prevention over pills”, and “saving and improving human and animal lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research”. A world of resources on its own, they offer education, programs, videos, podcasts and more!

• The PlantStrong Podcast by Rip Esselstyn: Starting with season 1, it is an informative and inspirational podcast that hosts experts and inspirational leaders to help a firefighter named Joe, on his plant-based journey. Season 2 & 3 focus on the heroes, experts, and trail-blazers of the plant-based movement. Rip also has an array of cookbooks & products to help you on your journey.

• The Plant Proof Podcast with by Simon Hill: a nutritionist and physiotherapist helping people eat more plants, and interviewing leading experts in the field of nutritional science, health & wellness. He also has an excellent book, listed above, called The Proof is in the Plants.

• The Rich Roll Podcast by Rich Roll: “A masterclass in personal & professional development”, with expert guest that will educate and inspire you. The interviews are fascinating, in depth, and leave you feeling enlightened and empowered. Athletes, especially, will enjoy a listen.

• Food for Thought Podcast by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, aka The Joyful Vegan: “A discussion in the joys and benefits of living vegan & plant-based.”. She explores emotional, practical, and philosophical topics that come with eating vegan. She helps you feel seen, helps you reflect on your own values, and gives you a sense of grounding and understanding.

• The Brain Health Revolution Podcast by Dean & Ayesha Sherzai M.D.s: Neurologists, researchers, and experts in public health, Dean & Ayesha explore how to take control of your brain health, and overall wellbeing. They host other experts in the medical field and they discuss all aspects that contribute to longevity and wellness such as: nutrition, sleep, movement/exercise, stress, healthy habits, and more!

• Veggie Doctor Radio Podcast by Dr. Yami Cazorla-Lancaster: Dr. Yami is a plant-based & vegan pediatrician and wellness coach. She discusses all things related to having a plant-based/vegan household. Her and her guests talk about nutrition, intuitive eating, and offers practical tips for living a healthful life eating plants. She also has a book, A Parents Guide to Intuitive Eating.