The New Becoming Vegetarian: The Essential Guide to a Healthy Vegetarian Diet

I can't praise this book enough in terms of its accuracy, density of valuable information and practicality. It says everything that needs to be said concisely and addresses the "gotchas" of going vegan. I was educated as a biochemist and taught Physiology in a university at one time. This book is accurate and addresses potential problems such as not getting certain essential amino acids and fatty acids. This material is presented in just enough detail for layman and without extraneous content. I also found the book an enjoyable read and the authors kept me engaged all the way through. The organization was well thought out and they make a very compelling argument for a vegetarian diet based on sound information. The tone is also balanced and I didn't find the book dogmatic although they do argue their point well. An added bonus is that this book contains some recipes a good nutritional recommendations including for children. They do not take a fanatical approach and their section on shopping. You really can't go wrong adding this book to your library. If you are only going to buy one that covers everything that is important, this is a great choice.

If you're just starting out with your new vegetarianism, this book is your guide. If you aren't vegetarian yet, this book will tell you how and why to do it. But it won't shove a veggie agenda down your throat; it presents the positive and negative aspects of carnivorous, vegetarian and vegan diets fairly. If you're a vegetarian gone astray -- you don't eat meat, you just eat chips and junk instead -- this book will get you back on track. It doesn't just tell you how to avoid meat. It tells you how to be as healthy as possible within the vegetarian and vegan diets. It's not just a vegetarian guide, it's a diet plan as well. The authors tell you exactly what you need to get the nutrients you need, and how to get it. There are some recipes at the back, but this goes beyond the average cookbook. It helps you learn the vegetarian philosophy, the vegetarian lifestyle. Which products to buy. Where to look for them. Why you need them. Interestingly, it also includes a social guide to being vegetarian, advising you on how to deal with people opposed to your diet, how to deal with eating as a guest, and so on. A great book at a great price. When vegetarianism was just starting to gain popularity so rapidly, this was one of the first and best books out there. In its new edition it includes all the scientific research since completed, making it the obvious choice for any longstanding or soon-to-be vegetarian.

This is book is absolutely necessary for anyone transitioning into a vegetarian or vegan diet and a great reference for those of us already there. It goes through all of the nutrients that vegetarians and vegans might have trouble getting enough of and explain why it's important and the best ways to incorporate that nutrient into your diet. It also gives dietary advice for prenanct women, children, and the elderly. There is so much information, I find myself constantly referring to this book as a reference guide. Many other reviwers have noted that this book is objective and not "preachy." I agree. It points out honestly what's wrong with and what's good about omnivorous, vegetarian, and vegan diets and then shows how to improve in each case. It does address reasons for veganism, but this book is in no way dogmatic. There's also an entire section on "diplomacy," that is how to resolve issues between ominvores and vegetarians. One of my favorite parts of this book is the latter half, in which advice is given on transitioning to vegetarianism or veganism. To often the changes that need to be made in lifestyle aren't addressed, in favor of reasons for going vegan or recipes. Here, however, they provide advice on mundane but necesary topics like meal planning and grocery shopping. This is definitly not a recipe book by nature, by several recipes are provided in the back. These are not gourmet or experimental recipes. Rather they are recipes that the authors themselves eat on a regular basis and which new vegetarians can realisticly incorporate into their menus. The recipes were also all chosen with nutrition as well as taste in mind, so they contribute to learning how to plan well-rounded vegan meals. My favorite, for instance, is a traditional marinara pasta with lentils dissolved in the sauce to make it creamier and add protein. In addition, instead of meatballs, a variety of vegetables are added to make it chunky. I've tried several of the other recipes as well, and have been pleased with them all. I really can't stress how amazing and necessary this book is. I find myself returning to it over and over again, so it was definitly worth buying.

I have purchased a few books on vegetarianism, and this is the most informative. As a new vegetarian who is still learning, I feel that the authors are not snobs about the subject. They clearly feel that the lifestyle is the healthiest, but I think they make an effort to be objective and accepting of those who do not adopt a strictly vegan menu. Additionally, their book so far is the most informative. I am learning so much about nutrients and how they affect each other. Even if you do not ultimately choose a vegetarian lifestyle, the book is an excellent choice if you just want to learn how to eat better.

Collaboratively written by Vesanto Melina and Brenda Davis, The New Becoming Vegetarian: The Essential Guide To A Healthy Vegetarian Diet is a straightforward guide for those new to vegetarian diets. Individual chapters deftly cover reasons for becoming a vegetarian; the wide varieties of foods available; the fine-tuning a personal diet for proper nutrition; healthy diet choices throughout all stages of life, and more. A special section devoted to diplomacy and dealing social situations, Thanksgiving dinners, etc. in which the vegetarian is being pressured to eat meat is what clearly distinguishes this healthy, helpful, recommended guide.