Seagan Eating

May 16, 2016
Self-proclaimed foodies and “research fanatics” Cramer and McComsey, coauthors of The Vegan Cheat Sheet, team up once again, this time with a new diet to share. It still consists primarily of plant-based foods, but now includes omega-3 fatty acids sourced from sustainable seafood. Per American Heart Association recommendations, it allows for seafood two to three times a week, with the occasional indulgence permitted. This charming guide shares the authors’ personal stories and reasoning for their “cheating” on plants, detailing also why they’ve forgone meat, dairy, and eggs. Cramer and McComsey include an essential shopping list for the diet staples, including baking ingredients and freezer items. And before they go into how to shop for sustainable seafood, they make sure to explain why fish is the healthiest way to obtain essential fatty acids. The bulk of this guide covers all the bases: essential kitchen tools, meal plans, and recipes, along with instructions for navigating restaurants and understanding food labels. Also included are vegan foods to avoid and notes on organic foods, superfoods, and GMOs. This little powerhouse diet will appeal to those looking for healthy nourishment without a militant plan. Agent: Sheree Bykofsky, Sheree Bykofsky Associates.

May 15, 2016

The authors of The Vegan Cheat Sheet have converted to what they call a "seagan" diet, a mainly vegan diet, with the addition of seafood throughout the week. Citing the health benefits of fish as the reason Cramer and McComsey chose to combine seafood with their plant-based regimens, this slim volume is offered as a primer to a healthy seagan diet. As a seafood buying guide, this work provides tips on what to look for and what to avoid when purchasing fish, as well as identifying which products are sustainable choices. Included are a variety of recipes, from basic preparations to soups to richer dishes that have been lightened up. The authors also present an array of vegan recipes, a restaurant guide to veganism, instructions on decoding food labels, and discussions of topics such as organic foods, GMOs (genetically modified organisms), and superfoods. Although the authors try to cover too many topics, the brief chapters deliver a general overview of a seagan diet. Readers can further explore using the resources provided at the end. VERDICT A solid introduction to selecting and preparing quality, sustainable seafood.--Melissa Stoeger, Deerfield P.L., IL

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