TESTIMONIALS

"Adopting a very high nutrient vegan lifestyle allowed me to lose 26 pounds in just 6 weeks, lowered my systolic blood pressure by 25 points, and also increased my energy tremendously ... I am never going back!"

- Maarten V, Voorschoten, The Netherlands

"Since becoming vegans, my husband and I have virtually eliminated any chance of experiencing the vascular/heart disease so prevalent in our families.  Our lipid figures indicate that we will never need the quadruple coronary bypass surgeries required by both our fathers.  Just as important to me, I now maintain my ideal weight of 110 with a way of eating that I love and can cheerfully live with forever. I had been a yo-yo dieter for over thirty years, with a top weight of 165."

- Laurie M, Norman, OK

"Since becoming a vegan, I lost about 10 pounds and lowered my cholesterol by 107 points! While the health aspect is fantastic, it is my love of animals that keeps me vegan. My conscience is clear and I feel good about the example I set for others, even if they do not follow my path."

- Corrine W, Newington CT

"The first few weeks are the hardest; everyone thinks you’re crazy, and it seems like everything is made with eggs and dairy. But soon you start feeling more energetic, thinner, and better than ever, which makes it all worthwhile!"

- Andrea B, Woodinville, WA

"After shifting to a plant-based diet for health reasons, I soon learned that the vegan diet can also help end world hunger, radically decrease global warming, and save billions of animals from torture.  We live in an unsustainable system that simply must change for the future of life on Planet Earth ... and for our children who follow us."

- Jim Hicks, CT

Former Executive VP, Polo Ralph Lauren

"A little over a year ago I was on Lipitor with a cholesterol level of 234 and was about 25 pounds overweight. I was also on allergy and nasal medications and had the beginning stages of arthritis in my fingers.  After adopting a vegan diet, my cholesterol dropped to 160, my allergies are gone, the arthritis is no longer an issue, I've lost over 25 pounds and was able to eliminate the usage of all medication. I have much more energy and feel consistently better now.  My husband also joined me and at 6'6 was close to 250 pounds with a cholesterol level of 199.  After adopting a vegan lifestyle, he lost 45 pounds and dropped his cholesterol to 158. Both of us just turned 60, and wish we would have adopted this non-processed, vegan way of eating long ago."

- Kathy E, Scottsdale, AZ

"Going vegan helped me feel less guilty about my food choices, better about my body and helped me recover from an eating disorder."

- Sarah K, San Antonio, TX

"My pregnancy was stellar because of my vegan diet. I had no morning sickness, I was so comfortable, and I felt great. My newborn was super-healthy. She hasn't had an ear infection yet, and when she gets a cold, she kicks it very quickly. I'm sure that's because she never had dairy, and doesn't have a build up of mucus."

- Sarah G, Santa Cruz, CA

“Since becoming a vegan the intestinal problems that I dealt with for the first 42 years of my life disappeared."

- Ann W, Belvedere, CA

"As a farm animal 'mom' for over 20 years, I know what a difference my vegan diet is making – every time I look into the eyes of a cow, pig, or chicken. Farm animals ARE animals, and they feel pain and comfort, or joy and sorrow, just like a cat or dog, or you and I. When I was 16 years old, I decided that if I loved animals called 'pets,' it was wrong to eat animals called 'dinner.' I feel very fortunate to be able to continue expressing my love for animals, every time I sit down to breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

- Lorri Bauston, CA

Founder, Animal Acres
Co-founder of Farm Sanctuary

"Ever since I adopted a nutrient dense, plant based eating style I am a changed woman. I have accomplished so much, have so much more energy and a whole new outlook on life. I've lost 72 lbs so far too!"

- Isabel P, Ontario, Canada

"I didn't become vegan for health reasons, but found, nonetheless, that I have much more energy and I never feel sluggish after eating!"

- Elliot G, Tacoma, WA

"The one thing I was most unaware of and surprised about when I first learned about vegetarianism was that humans have no nutritional need for animal products, and that plant-based foods are nutritionally superior. Like most of us, I had assumed that animal products were necessary for our health. How else could one justify the needless suffering that animals are put through to become our food? The fact is that it cannot, and becoming a vegetarian and ultimately a vegan became mandatory."

- Ron S, San Francisco, CA

"Although I'd been a vegetarian for 12 years, I made the leap to a vegan diet three years ago. It wasn't really that difficult (yes, you CAN get all the protein you need from beans and soy) and I'm amazed at how much better I feel. I haven't gotten sick--not even with a common cold--in three years!"

- Andrea B, Woodinville, WA

"I'm 45 and in menopause - my symptoms are much less than my friends. I'm sure it's because I don't eat dairy."

- Sarah G, Santa Cruz, CA

"One of the most positive changes our family has made in the past 2 years, was deciding eat vegan. My meat and potatoes" Iowa-raised husband took to it easier than I ever would have imagined. He not only lowered his weight by 40 pounds in 5 months, but was able to stop taking Lipitor, as his cholesterol dropped by over 100 points. He also had to get a new contact lens prescription as his eyesight improved. I was able to lose 65 pounds in 7 months and have never felt better... the increased energy and healthy hair and nails are just a few visual results. I always think about the benefits we can't see, that are taking place inside our bodies... leading us down a road to a healthy life, free from many of the diseases of western culture. And the importance of showing our two boys, ages 6 and 9, how everything they eat impacts their future is of vital relevance as the number of sick and obese children is reaching unprecedented levels. I just wish that this lifestyle was more openly embraced by mainstream society."

- Robyn R, Glendale, AZ

"Many people think vegans are too skinny. Interestingly, I was actually underweight before going vegan, and the vegan diet helped me to put on five needed pounds. I think the vegan diet helps you achieve and maintain a healthy weight - whether that means you need to gain or lose weight."

- Elliot G, Tacoma, WA

"Although initially my journey to better health seemed only an easy way to lose weight (just eat tons of veggies!), as I continued educating myself I could no longer deny that the benefits of eating healthy were so much greater than just losing a few. I began to see this as a gift I could give my children and so far, so good. My 2 1/2 year old is one of the few toddlers I know who heartily gobbles down eggplant, broccoli, artichokes... We all do so much to protect our children, be it car seats or bike helmets or teaching them the dangers of smoking. In my mind, teaching them to eat vegan is yet another way to keep them healthy and safe."

- Colleen E, Springfield, VA