Help Needed: Into to Veganism Literature

[Jane M]

Ok, it's like this: a dear friend of mine has very high cholesteral and his doctor has told him that at this point the only thing that will help is a vegan diet.

He is about 150 lbs overweight and really out of shape and addicted to German food. He has high blood pressure and is on medication for a variety of ailments. He called me to cry about what the doctor told him but I have been secretly (ok not so secretly) rejoicing that the doctor told him what I have been saying all along.

Problem is he is reluctant to try being a vegan and I need to find some literature that may entice him. Maybe some web sites. (Not sure if he or vegan forum are quite ready for each other.) Any help would be appreciated. He has quite the sense of humor so anything that has a humorous side he would really love.

Thanks all!

[tilly]

It doesn't seem as if your friend cares that much about his health, but more about food.

I would entice him with some delicious vegan goodies...

Y'know, cook him up some vegan german sausage and stuff...

He'll come around ;)

[vegan1969]

There are lots of great books you can find online. Here are some great links to short movies on the topic. These links are free whereas books will cost and some folks prefer to watch things instead of read, plus it's easy to send some links to them. Hope this is helpful:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5215695644951404318&q=vegan
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3214100593069532942&q=vegan
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5674462438240127907&q=vegan
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1308977765978236346&q=vegan

[Jane M]

Thanks for the links! That may be the way to go.

I've fed him vegan food before and he ate it quite happily...even went back for 3rds and 4ths!!!! Problem is he also stops off on his way home for a couple of his favorite fried pork steak sandwiches....says he needs some protein...groan....

It isn't going to be easy to get him to change his ways. He really is addicted to food. I am determined though. He is a great person and I am not prepared to let himself eat himself to death.

[eclectic_one]

I've mentioned it before, but this site has lots of health information:
http://www.pcrm.org

[treehugga]

Maybe the way to go is to ease him into a new diet with some books by dr gillian mckeith or 'the liver cleansing diet' by dr sandra cabot MD. These professionals discuss diet and health and provide an almost vegan diet with some limited amounts of fish I think. The emphasis is on fresh fruit, veg and legumes as protein also some soy. These diets are great for reducing cholestorol and relating it to any health issue. They also have web sites, just type in their names.

[Smoothie]

i still love the "how it all vegan"-cookbook.

[DianeVegan]

If you're looking for humour, then Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a Non-Vegan World (https://btorres.backpackit.com/pub/180414) is a good one, but it's more for people who are already vegan. However, it does have a chapter describing how the authors went vegan, so that might help your friend.

If he needs a little more convincing on health issues, then The Vegan Diet as Chronic Disease Preventi (http://www.lanternbooks.com/detail.html?id=1590560388)on is an easy read.

I have the same type of situation with a coworker who works in the health care field but won't change despite the literature and encouragement I've given her. She's at least 100 pounds overweight with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and she's in her 40's. Good luck with your friend.

[Jane M]

Thanks everyone. Right now he's being a bit rebellious...or is it stupporn??? At any rate whenever he's acting receptive I got plenty to slide in on him!

[Darky_]

Ahhhh JUST the book I was just searching for as
DianeVegan mentioned above: -

Vegan Freak: Being Vegan in a non-Vegan world...
(and I like the suggesstions of other recipe and cookbooks)
I am reading that right now and i deffo recommend it so far. It's got a lot of really good points. I think it is great for vegan to be's and new vegans, especially. Really quite enjoyable and readable. It's not boring at all. Easy to read and has a bit of everything about the vegan lifestyle and why you should switch.

The only thing I am slightly concerned about is, with some people, its hard to make them into something they are not truly interested in. Your friend might look at this book, and not even get past the first few pages because it's just not a important part of his life enough to truly enjoy it and maybe even WANT to understand it properly. If he isn't enthusiastic enough, then he might never go Vegan. But Its worth a try, deffo, don't give up! Just hope he doesn't blank the "Vegan" thing or at least cutting out the worst of his food. . . :(

Shame with people that are addicted to the bad world of food. That sucks a lot. It's a difficult urge at first, to switch, but I finding as many cookbooks on vegan german cooking could be good...

Try persuading your friend to do more to help him lose weight apart from eating, as well... Maybe join some course (anything fun and free for anyone), or do more activities, if you don't already, i don't want to make it seem your not doing enough to help....and maybe even do some Volunteering, but do it together so you can enjoy it together, keep active, and maybe eventually sway him to gaining more energy to get him on the Vegan path....shhhh! ;)

Ride bikes, go swimmin, jogging, play outdoor games, etc etc.

:) Hope something works well and he isn't TOO lazy either...

[Roxy]

Somebody just wrote in their "hello" thread that the book Skinny Bitch is what brought them to veganism. :)

[eve]

Somehow I can't see a fat man being attracted by the "Skinny Bitch" book. What about some of these -
Turn Off the Fat Genes by Neal Barnard
Breaking the Food Seduction by Neal Barnard
Food Chemical Sensitivity by Robert Buist
The China Study by T Colin Campbell

I reckon the China Study is first class for someone who wants to investigate thoroughly. Breaking the Food Seduction is also excellent for people who find themselves addicted to food.

[Roxy]

Somehow I can't see a fat man being attracted by the "Skinny Bitch" book.


LOL :D

[AnneCE]

My suggestion is to encourage him to focus on the benefits he will reap from eating and living in a healthier way - I am in a similar situation to him health-wise but am making a lot of progress in losing weight and increasing fitness by changing my mind on a lot of things! I find focusing on images of what a healthier life means to me helps a lot. It is not about cutting bad foods out but including good foods (and then excluding the bad stuff, and eating smaller portions), and being more active.

I was fortunate in that I went vegan before I fully woke up to the health risks I am running.

Your friend is lucky to have you as his friend!

[eve]

AnneCE, I like your posting, and it is quite true that whilst some vegans say they became so after reading a book, seeing a video etc, the majority of people on this planet just LOVE meat. So it seems to me that the best way to approach your friend is what you have written, that is, encourage him to focus on the benefits he will reap from eating and living in a healthier way. :D

[Roxy]

My suggestion is to encourage him to focus on the benefits he will reap from eating and living in a healthier way - I am in a similar situation to him health-wise but am making a lot of progress in losing weight and increasing fitness by changing my mind on a lot of things! I find focusing on images of what a healthier life means to me helps a lot. It is not about cutting bad foods out but including good foods (and then excluding the bad stuff, and eating smaller portions), and being more active.

I was fortunate in that I went vegan before I fully woke up to the health risks I am running.

Your friend is lucky to have you as his friend!

Congratulations on your progress AnneCE!

[treehugga]

'ENLIGHTENED EATING" by Caroline Marie Dupont. Good informative nutrition based book without over the top preaching, while backing itself with facts on nutrition. Does contain some quotes which I found a little religious based, but good dietry/health related info.