A Note to the Reader

THIS BOOK WILL INTRODUCE YOU TO THE POWER OF VEGAN FOODS. It’s easy to put that power to work, and the payoff is huge, as you will soon see! Even so, let me mention two important points:

If you have a health condition or use medications, see your health care provider. Often, people need less medication when they improve their diets. This is common for people who have diabetes or high blood pressure, for example. Sometimes, they can discontinue their drugs altogether. But do not change your medications on your own. Work with your health care provider to reduce or discontinue your medicines if and when the time is right.

Get complete nutrition. Plant-based foods are the most nutritious foods there are. Even so, you will want to ensure that you get complete nutrition. To do that, include a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes in your routine, and I would suggest a special focus on green leafy vegetables. And be sure to have a reliable source of vitamin B₁₂ daily, such as a simple B₁₂ supplement. Vitamin B₁₂ is essential for healthy nerves and healthy blood. You will find more details in Chapter 5.