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

Great resource for a beginner like me

I was intrigued by a CNN story by Dr. Sanjay Gupta called ???The Last Heart Attack.??? As I am a 58 year old male, this story peaked my interest and I began researching the various diets and their health benefits. Fortunately, I found this audio book right off the bat. I am now listening to the book for the 2nd time, since it is all new to me it takes a while for the information to settle in. So, my review is not intended to compare one resource to another, but I want to say that the book was exactly what I am looking for.

Kathy Freston makes the information personal and interesting and the book narrator is expressive without going overboard. It is obvious that Kathy Freston is passionate about the subject, but does not hit you over the head with a harsh, negative position. Instead, she provides a very rounded perspective of the vegan lifestyle and how they (we) fit into the mainstream, as well as interviews with leading experts on the subject. She also answers some of my questions. How do I relate to people now that I do not eat meat? Will I be considered odd? How do I handle invitations to someone's house for dinner or a cookout? Kathy has made me want to continue the vegan journey. I recommend this book.

Excellent Book - Really Good Research

This is one of those audio books that I go back to all the time....it really was well put together, well researched and certainly gives a good nudging as a friend would do to possibly give a healthier way of living a try. I am going the route of the Vegan or Veganist now....too many facts point to the great benefits of this way of eating. Anyway kudos Kathy Freston!

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.

good ideas. Practical.

I expect the author to defend her position, but she offers little margin for other points of view. It's not quite as solid science as she portrays it to be. Still, the book challenged me and opened my mind to some great vegan ideas. The animal treatment part is true (I've worked poultry and cattle), though her handling of the pig story was way too touchy feely, and detracts from her argument. Her biblical angle is solid, and I'd never considered how Genesis starts out as a vegan world. A good read. The narrator was slow and hard to listen to. I felt like someone was trying to hypnotize me. But I do recommend the book.

Will be leaning into vegan

I really enjoyed Kathy's explanations and details about choices for becoming vegan.It did get a bit gory in parts where she went into the industry, but the health information is really great. And it IS easy to start adding in a few vegan meals during the week. I'm excited and feel confident about trying it out.

Excellent overview of being a vegan

Would you consider the audio edition of Veganist to be better than the print version?

No. The print version has tables, graphs, footnotes, etc.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book doesn't have

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book.

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.

Slow Narrator makes it difficult to listen to

I am listening to the book now and I enjoy the content. The narrator reads terribly slow. I actually thought something was wrong with my audible app on my phone, but it was fine. The book is written for new vegans, or those considering veganism. She writes on how to ease into it. If you are already vegan, don't buy it, you'll be bored. I would rather read the book than listen to it, that's how bad the narrator is, and I listen to A LOT of books.

Mediocre

What did you love best about Veganist?

I liked the research, and most of the health claims are true as are the environmental impacts.

Would you recommend Veganist to your friends? Why or why not?

No. The narration was annoying, and the emphasis on guilt over our food choices I feel would cause people to shut out the possibility of going even vegetarian.

Would you be willing to try another one of Karen White’s performances?

No. I think she rehashes information over and over, and says very little that I did not already know. Her delivery is poor, and places too much emphasis on guilt as well as coming across as morally superior.

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.