nutrition basics
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WellnessSee article7 Things That Happen When You Stop Eating Meat
People go plant-based for lots of reasons: Weight loss, a desire to feel more energetic, reducing the risk of heart disease, and decreasing the number of medications they take are just a few of the motivators for ditching animal products. But what really happens when you stop eating meat? The healthiest, happiest version of yourself […] -
WellnessSee articleFor Fork’s Sake: Rachael Brown’s New Book Makes Whole-Food, Plant-Based Eating Easy for Families
Plant-based parents are all too familiar with the challenges of raising a family without animal products. From pesky “how will you get your protein?” questions to picky eaters, prioritizing the health of your family isn’t always a walk in the park. Luckily, Rachael J. Brown, a certified plant-based nutrition educator and WFPB parenting extraordinaire, is […] -
NutritionSee articleAre Potatoes Actually Healthy? What Research Reveals
The average American consumes nearly 50 pounds of potatoes per year, making it the most popular vegetable in the United States. So why do the starchy spuds still have a bad rap? From fitness influencers to low-carb fad diet enthusiasts, you’ve surely heard the advice to steer clear of potatoes if you’re trying to lose […] -
WellnessSee articleShould You Avoid Nightshades? A Look at the Research
While the name might seem ominous and call to mind the contents of a sorcerer’s cauldron, nightshades are among the most common fruits and vegetables, and you likely already have some in your kitchen. So, what are nightshades, and are they good for you? What Are Nightshades? There are 2,500 species of flowering plants known […] -
WellnessSee articleWhy You Should Have a Fruit-Filled Summer
If you’re like most Americans, you probably aren’t eating enough fruit: Americans eat a single serving of fruit per day, on average. In fact, only a small minority—24 percent and 13 percent, respectively, of the population—are meeting the recommended minimum for fruit and vegetable consumption, which is between 5 and 9 servings per day. Low […] -
HealthSee articleCalcium and Bone Health: What Plant-Based Eaters Need to Know
DO YOU NEED TO DRINK MILK FOR CALCIUM? First: Do you need to drink milk for calcium? The answer is a resounding no, as Neal Barnard, MD, FACC explains: “The natural source of calcium is plants,” says Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and author of the book Your Body in Balance: The New […] -
WellnessSee articleThe No-B.S. Guide to Plant-Based Protein
It’s the question that vegans and whole-food, plant-based eaters hear all the time: “Where do you get your protein?” Given the abundance of misinformation on the subject, concern over protein deficiency is understandable—but totally unfounded in science. In this guide, we’ll review what protein is, how much protein we need, how much most people are […] -
WellnessSee articlePlant-Based Diet vs. Vegan Diet: What’s the Difference?
The American diet is changing. More people than ever are questioning the wisdom of consuming large amounts of animal foods and are moving to a life with more plant foods. Indeed, this shift is evidenced in the booming plant-based food industry, which saw $3.3 billion in sales in 2018 alone. We all by now have […] -
How ToSee articleIs Your Doctor Vegan-Friendly? How to Find a Plant-Based Doctor
Transitioning to a whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet is a great way to lower your risk of chronic diseases, boost your energy, and cut down on doctor visits in the long term. But it’s not a reason to cut out your doctor altogether. If you’ve recently switched to a plant-based diet or are considering it, […] -
How ToSee articleBuild a New Foundation
Let’s face it: If getting high-quality nutrition were super simple, we would all be living healthy, happy, and fit lives. Nutrition does seem simple on a surface level. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables; avoid processed and junk foods. But it’s not that simple. We lead busy lives, and we’re bombarded by advertisements convincing us […] -
WellnessSee articleVitamin B12: All Your Questions Answered
Vegans are regularly advised to mind their levels of vitamin B12, but vegetarians and even meat eaters often come up short on this important nutrient, which helps keep nerves and blood cells healthy. In this informative Q&A—and in the video below—Dr. Sofia Pineda Ochoa goes deep on where vitamin B12 comes from, why we need […] -
WellnessSee articleWhy Every Vegan and Vegetarian Needs Vitamin B12
Eating a plant-based diet is one of the most healthful actions you can take, but it carries the very serious and potentially fatal risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Although plant-based diets are full of other vitamins and minerals, they are generally devoid of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is naturally found in animal foods […]