As you get started, let me mention two simple, but important points:
See Your Health Care Provider. If you are taking medication, are seriously overweight, or have any health concern, let me encourage you to work with a physician or other health care provider, and to follow his or her advice about all aspects of your medical care. This is not because changing your diet is dangerous. Just the opposite; a diet change can be very powerful for health. So powerful, in fact, that your doctor may need to change your medication regimen, or perhaps discontinue medications altogether. Do not do this on your own. Work with your health care provider to reduce or discontinue your medicines if and when the time is right.
Also, sometimes a new way of eating can make you feel so good and energetic that you might feel like really ramping up your exercise routine. But be careful. If you have been sedentary, have any serious health problem, have a great deal of weight to lose, or are over forty, have your health care provider check whether you are ready for exercise, and how rapidly to begin.
Get Complete Nutrition. Anytime you alter the way you eat, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need. The way of eating presented in this book greatly improves your overall nutrition—more so than other diets. But even so, please read the information on complete nutrition presented in chapter 5. And be sure to take a daily multiple vitamin or other reliable source of vitamin B12, such as fortified cereals or fortified soy milk. Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nerves and healthy blood.