The Smart Girl's Guide to Going Vegetarian

October 28, 2013
Nutritionist and educator Warren lays out a realistic, accessible, and enriching plan for readers in the beginning stages of embracing vegetarianism or other diets, from vegan to “ethical carnivore.” Ten handbook-style chapters explore dietary choice, addressing myths about being vegetarian (such as “Vegetarian diets are way healthier than omnivorous ones”), the nutritional makeup of veggies and other vegetarian foods, and tips for cooking and choosing meals when eating in or out. Those who aren’t set on giving up meat products entirely but want to improve their health through creative and informed eating will also benefit from Warren’s nuanced approach, which emphasizes the importance of eating according to one’s personal values over any prescribed notions. Recipes and additional resources are included. Ages 12–up. Agent: Danielle Chiotti, Upstart Crow Literary.

November 15, 2013
Detailed yet concise, this guide to vegetarianism encompasses a broad range of possible choices for teens interested in adopting plant-based diets. From going completely vegan to simply eating meat that is produced relatively ethically, nutritionist Warren breezily suggests that teens take her short quiz to determine what eating style works best for them. She addresses her audience directly and offers a bit of her own background, including a decision to become a vegetarian as a teen that resulted in less-than-optimal nutrition due to a tendency to view French fries and rice as foods around which to center her diet. The guide is particularly useful in the care it takes in elucidating the myriad terms that exist in labeling food, the breakdown of what foods are good for vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians at ethnic and chain restaurants, and the potential pitfall of an animal product showing up in food where it would be least expected (fish sauce in "vegetarian" pad Thai; anchovies in Caesar salad). Warren also provides plenty of information on optimal vegetarian nutrition, veg-friendly colleges, online resources, as well as easy recipes and practical but polite ways to talk with adults about eschewing meat. An upbeat, informative resource that will come in handy for many a teen--a shame that teen boys will almost certainly avoid it due to the title. (Nonfiction. 12 & up)

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February 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-With a friendly tone and a ton of nutritional information, this guide will be easy for teenagers to digest. Warren's explanations of the various ways to go veg is neither preachy nor threatening. In fact, she encourages readers who are considering changing their diet to begin by participating in Meatless Mondays. Chapters include information on nutrients that are crucial to a healthy diet and what foods they can be found in for all types of diets (vegan, lacto-ovo, pescetarian). The book also includes types of restaurants with vegetarian-friendly options and an explanation of how to use the choosemyplate.gov resource to practice planning a healthy meal when cooking at home. As in most cookbooks, some of the recipes call for obscure ingredients. The best parts of this title include the author's philosophy that every person has the right to eat according to her own personal values, a section debunking myths about going vegetarian, and what a young adult should say to her parents if they are questioning her dietary choices. Unfortunately, this great resource will not be picked up by teenage boys simply because of the title.-Lindsay Klemas, JM Rapport School for Career Development, Bronx, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2014
Grades 8-12 A vegetarian herself since age 12, Warren knows the questions that teen girls ask and the arguments their parents raise when kids want to experience vegetarianism or veganism. Here, she offers sound advice for girls who are considering being or have chosen to go vegetarian or vegan and for those who waver about where they stand on the topic. She emphasizes the importance of balanced nutrition and takes girls through ways to include each nutritional element, vitamin, or mineral in their meal plan. Among the questions she addresses: How does a teen girl make wise choices in a school cafeteria? Or should one pack a lunch? When eating out, how can one make sure that no meat is lurking in what appears to be meat-free? She includes tips for finding restaurants when traveling; quality vegetarian organizations and related websites; and simple-to-make, appealing veggie recipes. The catchy, accessible text is broken up by generous topic headings and questions. Overall, a sound guide for any teenager, really, and her or his parents.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)