Veganist

Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change the World

By: Kathy Freston

Narrated by: Karen White

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Kathy Freston wasn't born a vegan. The best-selling author and renowned wellness expert actually grew up on chicken-fried steak and cheesy grits and loved nothing more than BBQ ribs and vanilla milkshakes. Not until her 30s did she embrace the lifestyle of a veganist - someone who eats a plant-based diet not just for their own personal well-being but for the whole web of benefits it brings to our ecosystem and beyond. Kathy's shift toward this new life was gradual - she leaned into it - but the impact was profound.

Now Kathy shows us how to lean into the veganist life. Effortless weight loss, reversal of disease, environmental responsibility, spiritual awakening - these are just a few of the 10 profound changes that can be achieved through a gentle switch in food choices. Filled with compelling facts, stories of people who have improved their weight and health conditions as a result of making the switch, and Q&As with the leading medical researchers, Veganist concludes with a step-by-step practical guide to becoming a veganist, easily and gradually. It is an accessible, optimistic, and illuminating book that will change the way you eat forever. No less delicious, still hearty and satisfying - just better for you and for all.

©2011 Kathy Freston (P)2011 Tantor

Disappointing

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I was interested in learning about eating vegetarian. Start a healthy diet and life style. Instead, the book is a political forum against the meat/food industry. Had I paid full price, I would be asking for a refund. There is more time spent on animal torture than giving me vegetable food ideas!

What was most disappointing about Kathy Freston’s story?

the time spent on statisitcs on the meat industry and diseases. Yes, I'm sure the stats are there but I did not need to hear scare tactics.

Annoying

I did not enjoy the narration at all, I felt there was way too much intonation, and it was hard to concentrate on the content. As to the content- I didn't find it very interesting, even though I have a vegan husband and am interested in the topic in general. I was disapointed.

Some Good Information but Poor Dietary Advice

First of all, the lady reading this book really detracts you from the content. Her reading was so slow, even pausing in the middle of sentences at times. The intonations in her voice were very distracting, as well, sounding constipated and whiny through most of the program. On another note, I was unable to get through the chapter about animal abuse on the farms. I’ve read a lot of books on this subject and the scenarios in this book were really too graphic for my taste. However, this really is not a criticism, just an observation.
On the positive side, the personal accounts in the book were fun to hear about. I think the work that Kathy Preston is doing is really amazing. I’ve seen her in interviews. She is gorgeous, well-spoken and truly a great role model for a veganist. She does a nice job getting the word out about people making dietary changes for their personal health, the welfare of factory farm animals, and the health of the planet. This book has some great information in it.
My main criticism comes from Kathy’s dietary advice, though. If you plan on making dietary changes for ethical reasons, this could be the book for you. If you want to make dietary changes for health reasons, I think this could steer you in the wrong direction. Sure, some of the foods Kathy talks about are extremely healthy but there is an emphasis on junk, like faux meats, cheeses and dairy. One example is Daiya faux cheese whose ingredient list contains Titanium Dioxide. Look it up folks. On a personal note, the ethical part of me, is a bit repulsed by meat and I don’t want to substitute frankenfood that “tastes” like meat. Also, she speaks highly of processed garbage foods like Amy’s, Gardein’s, Tofurky and Morningstar. I doubt she eats this stuff herself.
Perhaps this is an improvement over the average American diet, I’m not sure. Maybe Kathy wants to appeal to the masses, knowing that it is going to be hard for people to change the way they eat, leaving behind foods they are familiar with and perhaps this could be a “bridge” to a healthier diet.
I’ve got two words for you. Whole Foods, Plant-Based. This includes Fruits, Vegetables, Beans, Legumes, Nuts and Seeds. Don’t substitute an unhealthy diet for another unhealthy diet. Go all the way. Do it right.

In opposition to Microbiome diet

Because this book proposes a diet of lectin foods your intestinal tract will have “leaky gut.” Do not even waste your time. Better to get and Dr Gundry book

dubious science and preachy tone

I only got half way into the first chapter after the introduction— and I have to stop. The author is quoting dubious science I know to be false, such as “meat rots in the intestines” so now I can’t trust any of her other claims. She says we weren't “meant” to eat meat; look at our teeth; look at our intestines—taking on the whole Paleo clan in one statement? What does “meant” mean anyway? She didn't use the word “evolved” once in her argument which is what the word “meant” would imply….(unless she’s an evolution denier, never thought of that….)

She trashed the Atkins diet saying that its preliminary success is only due to water loss and an overall calorie reduction (what??) when you cut carbs out of your diet and eat only protein and fat. Then, in the same breath, she makes the same claim for a vegan diet – that overall calories are reduced so you'll lose weight without even trying.

Also, the tone is far more preachy than I can tolerate; I’m here to learn, not join a cult.

I eat a mostly plant-based diet and I appreciate (what I’m learning) are its benefits. But I don’t feel that the benefits Freston is touting are actually inherent in the diet. For example, she says that “all your cravings will go away” and that you’ll just never crave another doughnut. Some of us know it’s not quite that cut-and-dry. My cravings are reduced, for sure, but I’m not cured of my tendency to overeat – my cravings are a dopamine/acetylcholine brain imbalance (i.e. addiction) AS WELL AS nutritional deficiency.

I just finished listening to Fat Chance, by Robert H. Lusting, and it was chalk-full of nutritional facts I could trust – I could trust them because I’ve read probably hundreds of books on nutrition and I’m starting to be able to tell the facts from the myths. And his book even cleared up some issues I’ve been confused about: Like why are Gary Taubes and Dean Ornish are on such opposite ends of the spectrum, yet both right?? So this book was really good; and going from that to this one from Kathy Freston was a big step backwards.

And also the narration was annoying. I’m quite picky about narration so I wouldn't have mentioned it; it’s probably fine for most people. But since I’m unhappy with the book I’ll include this pet peeve: Why do narrators read non-fiction like they’re selling an insurance package? The pauses, the subtle sarcasm, the subtle patronizing tones – it’s trying to sell me something! But I don’t need to be “sold”; I already bought the book! I just want to learn some stuff. I call it the “sensational” voice; I’m so tired of it.

I can't recommend this book, even to the novice-nutritionist, because the claims are at least partly false (didn't listen to the whole book) and you don't want that as a foundation to your nutritional knowledge base. There are tons of great reasons to go vegan, vegetarian, raw-vegan -- but Freston isn't giving them to you straight up.