Becoming Vegan Express Edition Reviews

Becoming Vegan: Express Edition is a BOTYA (Book of the Year Award) finalist --from among hundreds of books--in the Health category

"Completely revised, this seminal classic offers fresh insights into the implications of becoming vegan for individuals and for our fragile planet. Extensive but easy to understand, new information on the health benefits of vegan diets and in-depth coverage of essential nutrients enable readers to construct an optimal plant-based diet."

"Becoming Vegan: Express Edition" by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina. (Book Publishing Co.)

The American Library Association has given Becoming Vegan: Express Edition a star rating, calling it “the go-to book for understanding and practicing healthy and enjoyable veganism”. Vegetarianism has gained a modicum of mainstream support, but most people draw the line at veganism. Complete abstinence from all animal products just seems too extreme, too difficult, and everyone wonders how vegans get enough protein. Registered dietitians Davis and Melina cover every aspect of the vegan life, from its ethical foundation, based on the recognition that animals are sentient beings, to how very nutritious and delicious a well-planned, plant-based diet can be. Their clear, detailed, and practical coverage of the benefits of eating vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds is supported by easy-to-use, remarkably informative charts, and propelled by expertise and enthusiasm. Plant foods are “low in saturated fat, free of cholesterol, and high in fiber” as well as rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. The authors explain how to maximize nutrition via preparation guidelines, meal plans, and menus for all ages and explicate the ways a vegan diet can help prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. This is the go-to book for understanding and practicing healthy and enjoyable veganism.— Donna Seaman *********

This title has been recommended for young adult readers:
YA/Special Interest: Health-conscious and environmentally aware teens will
appreciate the wealth of information and guidance.

Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina are authoritative and influential leaders in nutrition, and this is one of the most useful guides you will ever own. A plant-based diet provides tremendous power for health. "Becoming Vegan: Express Edition" gives you everything you need to put that power to work for the very best of health. Neal Barnard, MD, author, Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at George Washington University, president PCRM

Leave it to nutrition pros Brenda Davis, R.D. and Vesanto Melina, R.D. to write the definitive work on vegan nutrition. I thank these classy Canadian dietitians for this gift to the plant-based nutrition community – and to all who want a clear, authoritative and readable guide to this increasingly important subject. Becoming Vegan: Express Edition will prove to be a seminal and benchmark work, and as a nutritionally-based M.D., I am delighted to have a copy – it will be well used in my practice. Michael Klaper, MD, consultant, educator, and physician with True North Health CenterContent

“Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina do an outstanding job of nutrition research, bringing readers the most accurate and up-to-date information.”

T. Colin Campbell, PHD, Professor Emeritus of Nutritional Biochemistry, Cornell University, and author of “The China Study”

From Journal of the Academy or Nutrition and Dietetics, August 2014, page 1311. Written by highly acclaimed vegan registered dietitian nutritionists Brenda Davis, RD, and Vesanto Melina, MS, RD, Becoming vegan: Express Edition offers a wealth of information on plant-based nutrition. Readers will find both the information they need to confidently construct a nutrionally balanced plant-based diet, and a comprehensive overview for the tremendous impact adopting a vegan diet has on both personal health and that of the planet. Completly revised, the streamlined Express Edition offers lay readers new evidence of the health benefits of a vegan diet, fresh insight on the treatment of animals in food production, expanded information on phytonutrients, in-depth coverage of all of the essential nutrients (calcium, protein, essential fatty acids, good carbs, and vitamin D and B12), a thoroughly updated food guide, and guidelines on how to design a balanced vegan diet for all age groups, infants through seniors. For more information, visit www.bookpubca.com

When I discovered the original version of this book [meaning the 2000 edition, which was a classic and bestseller], I was SO happy. It’s a great read. Jam packed with all the vital vegan nutrition information you need. And it’s very easy to understand, so if you’re not versed in all things nutrition, you’ll still get a lot out of reading this fabulous book. And then what did they do? They went and made this new, updated version that is bigger, better, faster — well, okay not faster. I got all Lee Majors for a second. But seriously, EVERY VEGAN NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK! This is not only the one of the best vegan books, but I believe it just might be the best vegan nutrition book, especially if you’re looking for information about vegan protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins (including B12), and vegan nutrition for children, seniors, and vegan athletes. And so much more! And I think what I perhaps love best is that they don’t sugar-coat anything. If there is a slight challenge with any particular nutritional aspect of the vegan diet, they let you know and give you recommendations of how to best stay on top of it. Seek out a copy today, for sure. ************************************************** Even as a nutrition book rather than a cookbook “Becoming Vegan: Express Edition” ranked high in Philly Foods V for Veg Top 10 Vegan Cookbooks for the 2013 holiday season, with the comments “Another helpful time-saver is “Becoming Vegan: Express Edition”

David L. Katz, MD, Director, Prevention Research Ctr., Yale University School of Medicine, Nutrition Columnist, O, the “Oprah Magazine” has said of this writing team: "Their books are a must-read for anyone with an interest in raw food and/or vegan diets.” “In typical Davis and Melina fashion, Becoming Raw is thorough, thoughtful, practical, and balanced. It is, in fact, the gold standard on the topic. If the rarefied terrain of a raw vegan diet calls out to you, Davis and Melina are the best Sherpas in the business; don’t make the trek without them!

Every so often a book comes along that you feel should be on every vegan’s bookshelf (and probably every vegetarian’s too). ”Becoming Vegan: Express Edition“ is one such book. Written by two Canadian dietitians, “Becoming Vegan: Express Edition” is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to vegan nutrition. Paul Appleby, Senior Statistician, Cancer Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford and statistician for the EPIC-Oxford and Oxford Vegetarian studies

THE LATEST VERSION OF BRENDA DAVIS and Vesanto Melina’s classic, Becoming Vegan, adds the tagline “Express Edition” to the title, a nod to today’s faster-paced world, as compared to 2000, when the book was first published. “It is remarkable the amount of new information that has been published over the 13 years since its release,” says co-author Brenda Davis. (A “Comprehensive Edition“ is also in the works; look for it in early 2014). Becoming is an all-stones-turned study of veganism, a cross between CliffsNotes and a Dummies book (without the illustrations), jammed with so much information on vegan history, nutrition, and ethics it would be an antioxidant-rich superfood if it were edible. Davis and Melina deliver as always, providing us with an up-to-date, enjoyable read that can be easily shared with those either new to or just exploring the plant-based lifestyle. Becoming Vegan: Express Edition truly represents veganism in the 21st Century.

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS)–More and more people are going vegan and a couple of long-time advocates have updated their how-to guide for ditching meat and dairy. Dietitian Vesanto Melina, co-author of “Becoming Vegan, Express Edition,” made the switch 20 years ago when, after two decades as a vegetarian, she realized her use of dairy product still put farm animals to harm.
She says you don’t have to make the change, if you’ll pardon the expression, cold turkey. The book can help you with steps.

“It gives people a real confidence and we’ve got menus and ways of eating clearly laid out for people to show that it’s very, very simple.” Melina insists veganism provides plenty of protein. “People don’t really think that there are a lot of plant alternatives and that big animals like cows and elephants get all of their protein from plant food and that we could to the same.” The book’s food guide recommends a couple of vitamin supplements. For more information on veganism, visit: https://becomingvegan.ca/

Becoming Vegan: Express Edition. CBS Philly

When I went vegan just over three years ago, the book Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy, Plant-Based Diet (Book Publishing Co., 2000) by Brenda Davis, R.D. and Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D. was indispensible on my journey. Written by two experienced and knowledgeable registered dietitians, this is a scientifically backed resource on living optimally on a vegan diet. My copy has certainly become dog-eared, highlighted, and well loved, as I have used the information and advice in it time and time again.

That’s why I was thrilled about the brand-new follow-up book by the same authors. Becoming Vegan, Express Edition: The Everyday Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition (Book Publishing Co., 2013) is a streamlined version of the classic title that still manages to cover all of the necessary topics that both new and veteran vegans need to know about. With chapters on everything from basic nutrition to special dietary needs, this fantastic resource presents complex material in an easy-to-digest format, with threads of compassion and practicality throughout.

I was lucky enough to prepare some questions for the authors, both of whom are well respected in the realm of vegan nutrition. The topics they cover here (especially the health-related ones) are further explored in Becoming Vegan, Express Edition, which I am sure will become an asset to your library.

Forget the paleo diet—go vegan.

For years, many people looking for a solid resource on vegan nutrition have turned to Becoming Vegan, the 2000 book by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina. Well, those seeking the latest information will be glad to hear that the pair of B.C.-based registered dieticians—Davis lives in Kelowna and Melina resides in Langley—has updated that work.

In August, Book Publishing Company released Becoming Vegan: Express Edition. Subtitled “The Everyday Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition”, the 284-page book spans 14 chapters, which cover such topics as protein, vitamins, weight, pregnancy, seniors, and fitness. The final chapter is a vegan food guide.

Interestingly, Davis and Melina devote two pages to the popular paleo diet, which purports to emulate how humans ate way back in the Paleolithic period of the Stone Age. Using nutrient-intake data, they show that the vegan diet is actually much closer to the true Paleolithic diet than the new paleo diet. That’s because, the authors argue, the meat and vegetables eaten at the present differ greatly from those consumed by Paleolithic humans. Plus, many of today’s paleo dieters eat more meat than their ancestors did.

Davis and Melina state: “If people want to move closer to a true Paleolithic diet, they might turn their attention to becoming vegan—it’s as close to a true Paleolithic diet as most modern-day people can achieve.”

While Becoming Vegan: Express Edition is aimed at you and me, Davis and Melina are also putting together a larger book for health professionals. Becoming

The book "Becoming Vegan" by Brenda Davis and Vesanto Melina is featured in the 2014 dance movie "Step-Up 5" movie (also called "Step Up: All In"). There also is a scene about veg and non-veg family dietary choices.

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The 2nd male lead, Robert "Moose" Alexander III (Adam Sevani) and his wife are vegan, and 20 minutes into the film they have a dinner-making scene with our "Becoming Vegan" book on the counter right behind them, full front cover, for quite a while--not just a quick flash. A similar shot plays during part of the credits. (They also have a scene 30 minutes into the film where they are talking about vegan choices at a dinner with Moose's parents.)