Amen, Nelson! As your father points out, and I love to remind people, reductionism is not only epistemologically damaging, reducing our understanding of the larger picture and the bigger and more essential truths, it is also highly profitable, especially for specialized interests - all across the board - food, medicine, economics, politics, etc. Wholism heals. Whole, organic, plant-sourced foods provide the terrific foundation for radiant health, which, personally for Madeleine and me, after 45 years of vegan living and also traveling extensively and delivering over 4,000 presentations promoting vegan living, we continually see validated. The path to a positive future for humanity and all beings is plainly laid out for us and it is, as you say, simple and joyful and liberating.
"The paranoia about whole fats in plant-based foods is reflected in a phrase famous in the plant-based community ...
'The fat you eat is the fat you wear.' This slogan is just a reincarnation of the same logic used by the dairy industry, who told us to drink milk so we could “wear its calcium” in the form of stronger bones."
My understanding of this expression is primarily in the context of processed foods with added oil and animal foods (meat and dairy).
And yes, some plant foods are naturally high in fat ... which calorically, people like me need to limit. I feel your comment on this has been taken out of context and is disparaging.
For sure, your insights on our PB "community" in general is so true: Why do we get so hung up in arguments and why not be more constructive? I think it's our passion for a healthy world - which for that needs collaboration?
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Cynthia. I appreciate your direct and honest feedback.
I want to clarify one point in particular. When I referenced that well-known phrase in our community, my intention wasn’t to be disparaging, but to highlight how reductionist ideas, though often well meaning, can create confusion. That phrase has often been applied not just to processed foods, but also to whole plant foods like nuts, seeds, and avocados. Over the years, Kim and I have worked in our programs with many people who came to us believing they needed to avoid or severely limit these foods, even though they are part of a healthy whole-food, plant-based diet when eaten in modest amounts (as Nature intended).
When we reduce biology to overly simple, mechanical ideas, such as the example I shared, we can arrive at conclusions that are incorrect and often conflicting. The calorie point you made, for example, can be understood in a broader context. In nutrition, what matters is not just energy content (calories), but the form and composition of the food and how it’s processed in the body. A calorie is simply a unit of energy, and the same amount from an avocado is processed very differently than from a candy bar.
I also agree with you about collaboration. It’s essential, but should be centered on a clear, science-based message that can be easily communicated, in a way that people understand and find appealing. That’s the kind of consensus I hope we can build in our community.
Thank you again for your direct and thoughtful comment. These are exactly the kinds of discussions we need to have in our community to foster consensus and collaboration.
Thank you for this additional commentary because I was concerned I had not communicated my thoughts constructively ...
Oh yes, I remember the discussions over nuts and seeds especially. The essential message is as you explain.
My favorite book of your father's collection is Whole. I had the good fortune to attend a lecture by him years ago, and he kindly signed it. Perhaps reading this book again, in preparation for the upcoming book, would be useful for me?
Do you and your father recommend moderate, whole-food fat intake for those with heart disease? Or are those people the ones the very low fat message should apply to? Have you seen reversal of heart disease with a moderate fat intake?
Hi Dawn. Because I am not a physician, so I cannot dispense medical advice. I can say, however, that there are no studies that have been done (that I know of), looking at the effect on heart disease of moderate whole food fat-intake among a population of whole food plant-based eaters. Having said this, there are lots of studies focused on more general populations that have examined the health effects of foods like nuts and seeds (when consumed in moderation). I suggest you do a simple internet search for these kinds of studies looking at the health effects of higher fat whole plant-based foods like nuts and seeds. You can also use ChatGPT. Thanks for your question.
Beautiful message! I have been eating mostly whole-food plant-based for years now and it has indeed been joyful and health-giving. Thank you for this timely message!
Amen, Nelson! As your father points out, and I love to remind people, reductionism is not only epistemologically damaging, reducing our understanding of the larger picture and the bigger and more essential truths, it is also highly profitable, especially for specialized interests - all across the board - food, medicine, economics, politics, etc. Wholism heals. Whole, organic, plant-sourced foods provide the terrific foundation for radiant health, which, personally for Madeleine and me, after 45 years of vegan living and also traveling extensively and delivering over 4,000 presentations promoting vegan living, we continually see validated. The path to a positive future for humanity and all beings is plainly laid out for us and it is, as you say, simple and joyful and liberating.
Thanks for your comments Will. I think we are birds of the same feather!
Regarding the quote from your book:
"The paranoia about whole fats in plant-based foods is reflected in a phrase famous in the plant-based community ...
'The fat you eat is the fat you wear.' This slogan is just a reincarnation of the same logic used by the dairy industry, who told us to drink milk so we could “wear its calcium” in the form of stronger bones."
My understanding of this expression is primarily in the context of processed foods with added oil and animal foods (meat and dairy).
And yes, some plant foods are naturally high in fat ... which calorically, people like me need to limit. I feel your comment on this has been taken out of context and is disparaging.
For sure, your insights on our PB "community" in general is so true: Why do we get so hung up in arguments and why not be more constructive? I think it's our passion for a healthy world - which for that needs collaboration?
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Cynthia. I appreciate your direct and honest feedback.
I want to clarify one point in particular. When I referenced that well-known phrase in our community, my intention wasn’t to be disparaging, but to highlight how reductionist ideas, though often well meaning, can create confusion. That phrase has often been applied not just to processed foods, but also to whole plant foods like nuts, seeds, and avocados. Over the years, Kim and I have worked in our programs with many people who came to us believing they needed to avoid or severely limit these foods, even though they are part of a healthy whole-food, plant-based diet when eaten in modest amounts (as Nature intended).
When we reduce biology to overly simple, mechanical ideas, such as the example I shared, we can arrive at conclusions that are incorrect and often conflicting. The calorie point you made, for example, can be understood in a broader context. In nutrition, what matters is not just energy content (calories), but the form and composition of the food and how it’s processed in the body. A calorie is simply a unit of energy, and the same amount from an avocado is processed very differently than from a candy bar.
I also agree with you about collaboration. It’s essential, but should be centered on a clear, science-based message that can be easily communicated, in a way that people understand and find appealing. That’s the kind of consensus I hope we can build in our community.
Thank you again for your direct and thoughtful comment. These are exactly the kinds of discussions we need to have in our community to foster consensus and collaboration.
Thank you for this additional commentary because I was concerned I had not communicated my thoughts constructively ...
Oh yes, I remember the discussions over nuts and seeds especially. The essential message is as you explain.
My favorite book of your father's collection is Whole. I had the good fortune to attend a lecture by him years ago, and he kindly signed it. Perhaps reading this book again, in preparation for the upcoming book, would be useful for me?
I think Whole is always good for a second read.And again, thanks for your honest feedback
Do you and your father recommend moderate, whole-food fat intake for those with heart disease? Or are those people the ones the very low fat message should apply to? Have you seen reversal of heart disease with a moderate fat intake?
Hi Dawn. Because I am not a physician, so I cannot dispense medical advice. I can say, however, that there are no studies that have been done (that I know of), looking at the effect on heart disease of moderate whole food fat-intake among a population of whole food plant-based eaters. Having said this, there are lots of studies focused on more general populations that have examined the health effects of foods like nuts and seeds (when consumed in moderation). I suggest you do a simple internet search for these kinds of studies looking at the health effects of higher fat whole plant-based foods like nuts and seeds. You can also use ChatGPT. Thanks for your question.
Beautiful message! I have been eating mostly whole-food plant-based for years now and it has indeed been joyful and health-giving. Thank you for this timely message!
Thanks for your comment Mary.
A timely message, well said. I have noticed those tendencies for several years now.
Thanks for your reply Neil
Great post. Can't wait for the book!
Thanks for your comment Tim