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Much is being made of Bill Clinton’s new vegan diet, which he’s adopted for health reasons (as opposed to ethical ones). He says he’s cut out all red meat, chicken, and dairy products and now eats primarily beans, fruits, and vegetables.
I have no doubt that Clinton’s new regime is a far sight healthier than the burger-and-fries binges of yore. But let’s be clear: it’s not the absence of meat or dairy products that makes this a healthy diet. It’s the absence of fried foods, starches, and sugar (all of which could be vegan).
Hey, I support anyone who chooses to eliminate animal products from their diet (for whatever reason). And I certainly support anyone who wants to cut out French fries and eat more vegetables!! I just want to remind everyone that a diet can be heart-healthy without being vegan (and vice versa!).
As I wrote in “Should You Be A Vegetarian?“:
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or a meat-eater, your diet will only be as healthy as you make it. And the rules are basically the same for everyone. Here they are:
- Don’t eat too much. No matter what kind of foods you do or don’t eat, it’s important to maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a balanced and varied diet that meets your nutritional needs.
- Eat your fruits and vegetables.
- Limit your consumption of processed foods, which tend to be high in sugar and salt.
See also: Can a Vegetarian Diet Cure Arthritis?
I have one thing to say, amen! Ny wife is a nutritionist that gives the exact same advice. Why use all the diets and label? It’s a way of living. Great post!
Everything you say is true. But, it’s also important to say that a vegan diet is at least correlated with all the good stuff you mention in points 1-4.
(1) A lot of calorie dense, nutrient poor foods are out.
(2) Some pros and cons here, but vegans tend to be interested in food and diet and for most omnivores the lack of balance is on the veg side of things
(3) It’s hard not to get enough fruit and veg on a vegan diet
(4) A lot of processed foods contain animal products and are out.
As an ethical vegan, I wouldn’t recommend that someone goes vegan purely on health grounds. But, I do think that a vegan diet can help to promote good health with a little care.
As a vegan (for health and ethics) I am proud to say I have never felt better! (And I would even go as far to say I practice a lower fat vegan diet….) My skin cleared up, the afternoon fog went away, I feel lighter and happier after ditching all the meat and dairy. I am not saying it works for everyone, but focusing on a plant-based diet is definitely a smart way to go. Most Americans could benefit from the lower amount of calories, as well as the high amount of nutrients found in a low-fat vegan diet. Kudos to Clinton for being brave and letting everyone know about his new found lifestyle and the benefits it totes.
I agreed , I’m a community educator with the “Nutrition &Health Program” from Cornell university and what we promote is know what you eat , reading labels before you buy, and be awaewof your choices
Smack-dab what I was looking for-ty!
All of those plants should be anti inflammatory. I have read stents can be inflamed over by tissue (and rendered dangerous). And plant based diets can be like taking low level aspirin:
http://is.gd/GHc8Bl PDFs
After reading The China Study, by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, I am convinced that animal protein in any amount can be harmful. Monica, do you have any podcasts that respond to this information, or to the same information as presented in the documentary Forks Over Knives? I always like to hear what you have to say
Thanks!
The China Study convinced a lot of people that animal protein is harmful. However, scholars have pointed out serious flaws in Campbell’s data, methodology, statistical analysis. Although I think it’s fine to avoid animal products if you choose, the evidence simply does not support Campbell’s assertions. If you’re open to exploring an alternate point of view, here is a good starting place: http://rawfoodsos.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/minger_formal_response2.pdf
Thank you so much for forwarding me the above information! I confess that I don’t understand all the data presented in Denise Minger’s response, but I do understand her conclusions, and I agree (reluctantly!) that she makes sense.
I am really searching for the “right” healthy diet to follow, and there is so much conflicting information out there! Those people following Dr. Campbell’s, Dr. MacDougall’s, and Dr. Esselstyn’s recommendations (all vegan) seem to be avoiding heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and many other chronic diseases so common in our country. So what do you think it is that makes their whole foods plant-based diet so healthy? The lack of processed foods and refined sugars? Or is it the sheer volume of fruits and veggies that provide so many antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients, or something else? I look forward to your response when you have time, and I really appreciate your opinion…I know you do your research and are very knowledgeable. Thank you!
Hi! I found the Nutrition Diva while doing some research. I like the sight a lot, so I checked to see if there was any information on the following. Yup! Good articles and discussion.
Just after this thread got started, in Sept. of 2011, I became a convert to the no-animal-products way of eating. It happened on the third day of a very uncomfortable gastric disturbance and physical malaise I was having when I happened to tune in on Sanjay Gupta’s “Last Heart Attack” show–with Bill Clinton, of course, and the amazing Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. As I watched all the evidence of how adversely our bodies are affected by the standard American diet, lights started going on in my head. I realized that what I was eating was making me sick. Less than a year before I had lost my mother to heart disease after watching her suffer with various vascular problems for many years. She loved to eat and so do I. But, I vowed then and there that I wasn’t going down that road.
So, there I was at age 68, basically changing my lifestyle. The first thing that happened was that weight started dropping off. I had already lost about fifteen pounds over a couple of years after giving up a serious candy habit, but now it plummeted. Since last Sept. I’ve lost about 25 pounds and am seeing the south side of 200 lbs. for the first time in decades. Then there are the energy benefits. Things started getting done around the house. I’ve started talking a lot more to people about health and diet. So far, aside from yard work, etc., I’m not making much headway with exercise, but I’m looking at ways of getting into the regular kind.
One of my hang-ups is sweets, and I love nuts, which are very high in fat. I’m developing some snacks which will eliminate the bad stuff and give me the taste and crunch I crave. This is turning out to be fun.
My wife was eager to support me in getting healthy, but slow to get all the way on board food-wise until we sat down and watched “Forks Over Knives” one night. That did it for her! We are both gung-ho after that. For even more understanding we watched the recent HBO series “The Weight of the Nation”. Whoa! I now see the all-American diet that I was raised on has had a devastating effect on the country and it’s getting worse. But, there is real hope in the Esselstyn approach to diet. His son, Rip, has great practical videos and boot camps. See “Engine 2” Diet.
Hope this helps someone out there.
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