“Healthy eating may be best achieved with a plant-based diet, which we define as a regimen that encourages whole, plant-based foods and discourages meats, dairy products, and eggs as well as all refined and processed foods. Research shows that plant-based diets are cost-effective, low-risk interventions that may lower body mass index, blood pressure, HbA1C, and cholesterol levels. They may also reduce the number of medications needed to treat chronic diseases and lower ischemic heart disease mortality rates.” ~ Kaiser Permanente

The word is finally out (and spreading rapidly) that a well-planned vegan diet greatly lessens our susceptibility to many of our most widespread health concerns such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, the prevalence of which is currently crippling the health of our population and monopolizing the resources of our healthcare system.

Even the mainstream and conservative Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association, and described by www.eatright.org as “the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals”) confirms that you do not need to eat animal products to maintain your health.

“It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that appropriately planned vegetarian (including vegan) diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits for the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. These diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood adolescence, older adulthood, and for athletes

• Vegetarians and vegans are at reduced risk of certain health conditions, including ischemic heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, certain types of cancer, and obesity.
• Low intake of saturated fat and high intakes of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, soy products, nuts, and seeds (all rich in fiber and phytochemicals) are characteristics of vegetarian and vegan diets that produce lower total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and better serum glucose control.

These factors contribute to reduction of chronic disease.”

A growing number of notable healthcare professionals now enthusiastically promote the health benefits of a vegan diet, along with many high profile athletes who have switched to a plant-powered diet to improve their health and performance.

Many who become vegan report that their health greatly improves as a result. The lighter, healthier body that emerges with veganism mirrors the inner peace that comes with ridding one’s system of all that we absorb when we ingest products of violence.