Here are Nutrient Rich.com we are promote a nutrient dense "nutrient rich", whole foods "based" diet. That does not necessarily mean vegan or vegetarian. Here are some insights on the difference between a plant based diet and a vegan diet which may or may not be healthy since it does not mean it is a based on whole foods.

For a diet to be truly healthy it much be a plant based, "nutrient rich" (which also means it does not contain non nutrients), whole foods diet.

Here are some notes from Rogina Jeffreys a Student in the Certificate for Plant Based Nutrition from T. Colin Campbell and ECornell.

Again I like to start with the China Study and the discovery that people eating a plant-based diet lived long and well. Similar evidence has been found in the Mediterranean.

T. Collin Campbell's work and others has shown that a plant-based and whole grain diet can provide pretty much every thing that a meat based diet provides with fewer side effects. By side effects I mean the effects that can induce heart disease, cancers, type 2 diabetes, etc.

Among the many benefits of plants/grain that they are the only source of fiber and cut out cholesterol.

I think the trick is to explain what you mean by a plant based diet. I.e. a diet based on the Produce, Beans, Nuts and Seeds, healthy fats and some Grains.

That way those who prefer fries, a grilled cheese and a shake topped off with a cookie, can gently be lead to understand the difference between "plant based diet," and a whole host of other dietary preferences from vegan and vegetarian to Atkins and South Beach!

Most of our meat comes from plant eating animals (and when they do feed meat to animals we seem to huge have problems!). Plants and algaes, provide just about every nutient we need.

Does that mean you can never have a hamburger or a taste of *steak*? No. Does that mean you can never go to a pasta bar or eat pizza? Also generally no. But eventually you may not want much of them.

It means your focus will want to be on plants.

It does mean that the vast majority of our calories should come from plant based foods. Going "vegan" may be a great option for many, and it certainly can help when eating out and you can't read the labels.

Last spring I attended a cookout and enjoyed a nice juicy hamburger on a white bun. I felt sick the rest of the day. But if I have a few ounces of beef with a ton of vegetables and quinoa or a salad, I feel fine. Since my focus has turned to the vegetables, I've found the prime rib doesn't have the hold over me. Much of time, I now eat a pretty traditional vegan diet at many meals.

Another issue for me and for many, is sugar. Sugar is in nearly everything and it is very hard to eliminate in a personal diet. The simple sugars, refined carbohydrates, and excessive starches are an great American problem. Grocery stores, even Whole Foods stores, are laden with aisles and aisles of cookies, candies, muffins, breads, etc. generally laden with this stuff. Having cancer I try my hardest to avoid simple sugars.

But I also have kids who constantly want some of what they see others getting. They have their own food problems and so we must balance the issues of dairy and gluten intolance with kids who are taught by the outside world that every meal should end with dessert and have friends and family who might not eat a 'green food' if it were the last thing on earth!

To me it's all about learning about the facts of nutrition and adjusting a personal balance.