This is in response to "A New Year's Resolution" in the Dec. 30 newspaper.
I agree with you - mostly. Going vegan is a good starting point, but adopting a whole food plant based diet is much, much better for your health.
Fast food plant based burgers are, at best, transition foods. Or, if you're only vegan for the animals, then they are a good alternative to meat. But, they are far from healthy - loaded with chemicals, oils, sugar, sodium.
Eating whole foods as close to how they are grown in nature is best if you're concerned about your health. Avoid all meat, dairy, eggs, oil and added sugars. The least processed the food is, the healthier it is.
It is not an easy process to change, but it is definitely doable, and worth it. Your taste buds will adapt. We are all so used to the SAD (standard American diet) - eating "foods" so completely loaded with chemicals, salt, animal fats and unhealthy processed vegetable fats and sugar, that we think real, actual food is bland.
Most plant-based experts agree that if you give real, whole foods a chance, after a few weeks you'll crave them and be turned off by the fake stuff. Start today, don't wait for New Year's day. You'll appreciate how much better you feel - not just physically.
There are so many great recipes to replace the meat-based foods you love. Or, you don't even have to use recipes. You can easily learn to enjoy fruits and veggies as-is. Make it simple so you're more likely to stick to it. Choose it as a lifestyle, not just a 2022 resolution.
