Best books for beginning vegan
February 24, 2018 1:05 PM Subscribe
My 16yo is aspirationally vegan and would like to do some reading about making the transition, about good nutrition as a vegan, and about vegan cooking.
My son's status right now is "mostly vegan"--his breakfast eggs are a last holdout--and as he transitions to eating a fully vegan diet, he wants to read up on maintaining good nutrition, making the transition (perhaps including good substitutes for most-loved oco-lacto foods), and cooking well as a vegan.
He's specifically looking for books, rather than websites or other resources.
My son's status right now is "mostly vegan"--his breakfast eggs are a last holdout--and as he transitions to eating a fully vegan diet, he wants to read up on maintaining good nutrition, making the transition (perhaps including good substitutes for most-loved oco-lacto foods), and cooking well as a vegan.
He's specifically looking for books, rather than websites or other resources.
I remember really loving How it all vegan.
posted by greermahoney at 1:20 PM on February 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by greermahoney at 1:20 PM on February 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
There are umpteen books out there on making vegan food tasty. If he's looking especially for nutrition info, these may be helpful:
Vegan for Life by Jack Norris and Ginny Messina
Thrive by Brendan Brazier
posted by whistle pig at 2:33 PM on February 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Vegan for Life by Jack Norris and Ginny Messina
Thrive by Brendan Brazier
posted by whistle pig at 2:33 PM on February 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
The Ultimate Vegan Guide by Erik Marcus or Becoming Vegan by Davis and Melina. The latter is more of a tome, but it looks like there’s now an express edition. Before someone suggests Thug Kitchen (and someone always does), I feel like the profanity makes it unreadable (and I swear constantly). Plus it’s been widely criticized by people of color because the white authors were basically pretending to be black on their blog before they came out with the book and had to reveal their identities.
Vegan.com has a guide to books that’s pretty good (with the exception of recommending Thug Kitchen).
posted by FencingGal at 2:41 PM on February 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Vegan.com has a guide to books that’s pretty good (with the exception of recommending Thug Kitchen).
posted by FencingGal at 2:41 PM on February 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
I am a big fan of Isa Chandra Moskowitz, really good food, a sense of joy and not crazy over-involved recipes.
posted by InkaLomax at 3:14 PM on February 24, 2018 [11 favorites]
posted by InkaLomax at 3:14 PM on February 24, 2018 [11 favorites]
Does he like traditional vegan foods (falafel, hummus, dal, etc) or the meat-replacement kind (vegan burgers, etc)? That might give a clue about what kind of book to buy.
posted by splitpeasoup at 3:33 PM on February 24, 2018
posted by splitpeasoup at 3:33 PM on February 24, 2018
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau has published a few hella yummy, informative and colorful cookbooks (esp. her baking book is kickass - i've tried a dozen recipes from that book and everything is yummy!!), and she also does a solid podcast called food for thought, which covers everything you could possibly think of re veganism (insight, ethics, health, nutrition, advocacy, stories, support etc. etc.) - i'm blown away by the amount of work that she puts into each episode.
posted by speakeasy at 3:37 PM on February 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by speakeasy at 3:37 PM on February 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
If he likes Indian food, this may be a good choice of book.
posted by splitpeasoup at 3:39 PM on February 24, 2018
posted by splitpeasoup at 3:39 PM on February 24, 2018
Response by poster: Does he like traditional vegan foods (falafel, hummus, dal, etc) or the meat-replacement kind (vegan burgers, etc)? That might give a clue about what kind of book to buy.
More traditional stuff, splitpeasoup
posted by Orlop at 4:56 PM on February 24, 2018
More traditional stuff, splitpeasoup
posted by Orlop at 4:56 PM on February 24, 2018
The Isa Chandra Moskowitz cookbooks Isa Does It, Veganomicon, and Superfun Times Vegan Holiday Cookbook together are probably where I turn to for ~90% of the recipes I make.
The book Becoming Vegan has a comprehensive version that has pretty much anything you could possibly want to know about vegan nutrition, but might be overwhelming?
posted by CarolynG at 6:40 PM on February 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
The book Becoming Vegan has a comprehensive version that has pretty much anything you could possibly want to know about vegan nutrition, but might be overwhelming?
posted by CarolynG at 6:40 PM on February 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Regarding nutrition, it is pretty easy as a vegan (barring any individual health issues your son might have). Firstly, most people get way more protein in Standard American Diet than they actually need. Beans, nuts, and certain veggies and grains are loaded with protein. So don’t worry about him not getting enough protein; that’s a myth.
Secondly, the only thing he would absolutely need to supplement is B12. Sub-lingual B12 lozenges are easy to find at any pharmacy. There is also non-dairy milk that is fortified with B12. Some vegans also find they need to supplement D and iron.
Unless he is eating only vegan junk food (of which there is A LOT), the combination of grains and veggies and fruits will lead to a nicely balanced diet.
Don’t worry too much about fats from oils, try to cook with “good oils” like olive oil.
One last thing, I find as a vegan I need to snack more often because higher metabolism and fiber, so I often carry fruit or trail mix wherever I go.
posted by shalom at 10:51 AM on February 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
Secondly, the only thing he would absolutely need to supplement is B12. Sub-lingual B12 lozenges are easy to find at any pharmacy. There is also non-dairy milk that is fortified with B12. Some vegans also find they need to supplement D and iron.
Unless he is eating only vegan junk food (of which there is A LOT), the combination of grains and veggies and fruits will lead to a nicely balanced diet.
Don’t worry too much about fats from oils, try to cook with “good oils” like olive oil.
One last thing, I find as a vegan I need to snack more often because higher metabolism and fiber, so I often carry fruit or trail mix wherever I go.
posted by shalom at 10:51 AM on February 25, 2018 [2 favorites]
VEGANOMICON!
posted by SinAesthetic at 10:43 AM on February 27, 2018
posted by SinAesthetic at 10:43 AM on February 27, 2018
There are so many good vegan books out there now. It's hard to pick to be honest. I reference many over time so a library could be a good resource to try a few. It depends on what you like. Exploring new flavours is a great way to have fun. Above all, avoiding the junk is definitely key, but it does not hurt to indulge once in a while.. Green over grain is ideal as a base. Have fun!
posted by cookiemaster at 7:07 PM on March 7, 2018
posted by cookiemaster at 7:07 PM on March 7, 2018
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posted by Toddles at 1:10 PM on February 24, 2018 [1 favorite]