Forks Over Knives Family

August 15, 2016
Doctors Pulde and Lederman capably build on the philosophy laid out in their previous book (The Forks Over Knives Plan) that “a whole-food, plant-based diet is the optimum choice a person can make.” This installment is a handbook for parents to help them and their families transition to such a diet. Separate chapters cover pregnancy, infancy, and childhood, along with issues that come up once children begin spending more time outside the home, such as handling school lunches. The authors draw on their medical and parental expertise, as well as advice and information that comes from interviews with visitors to their website. This is a manual, not a book that requires reading from front to back. Readers can pick morsels relevant to them and leave the rest. Over half of the book is a cookbook with delicious-sounding recipes from chef Darshana Thacker for both basic foods like muffins and baked ziti and more unusual fare such as Sunflower Seed Paté and Chickpeazella Sticks. Throughout, the writing is accessible and well-
documented by footnotes.

September 1, 2016

The 2011 documentary Forks Over Knives started a food revolution of sorts with the claim that disease can be prevented and reversed by simply eating a whole-food, plant-based diet. Following the film, several related books were released and became New York Times best sellers. This title, aimed at young families, is sure to follow. Physicians Pulde and Lederman begin with an introduction to the diet's principles, stressing the importance of calorie density and outlining how the body reaches satiation with fewer calories consumed. The next three chapters focus on pregnancy, baby's first year, and beyond the first year. The bulk of the content comes in the second half of the book, which contains over 100 recipes by vegan chef Darshana Thacker. VERDICT Variations of nachos, burritos, and snacks such as fig and walnut granola will tempt even carnivores, but a few hard-to-find ingredients (such as date paste) will deter even the dedicated. Still, expect demand for this title; librarians would do well to purchase multiple copies.

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