
No stop signs, speed limit,
Nobody's gonna slow me down
Hey momma, look at me,
I'm on my way to the promised land
AC/DC
Seven years or so ago, as I began this crazy food journey I am on, there was no "plant-based diet", or a "whole foods diet", or even a "McDougall' diet. (Ok I suppose there was, but the terms were not very popular yet.)
Nope, as far as "I" knew, it you didn't eat meat, dairy, or eggs, you were following a Vegan Diet, and that made you a Brand New Vegan.
Today however, that is an entirely different story.
There are literally DOZENS of names for a Vegan diet.
- Some people follow this plant-based doctor, and some follow that one.
- Some focus on greens and smoothies, and some focus on tons of starch.
- Some like their food cooked, others like it completely raw.
- Some swear off all fat and oil, and some absolutely love their nuts and avocados.
- There are starchivores, and herbivores, and Vegans, and now even Pegans (Paleo Vegans)
It's getting kind of NUTTY out there in the plant-based world, and it can be very confusing!
Who's right? Who's wrong? And does it even matter?
Vegan vs Plant Based
Why are there so many different versions of basically the exact same diet?
The way I see it, it basically depends on what's important to you.
The word Vegan for example, is not really about a diet per se, but more about the prevention of animal cruelty and exploitation. So as long as your 'diet' doesn't contain any animal products - it's fair game.
And there's nothing wrong with that!
But just keep in mind, many of the vegan food products on the market are heavily processed - meaning they're chock-full of fat, sugar, and salt. So if you need to lose some weight - it's not happening. In fact, you may just end up gaining.
Vegan junk food is still junk food.
But if your primary goal is diet, health, or weight loss - then you're going to lean more towards a whole foods, plant-based diet which focuses on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
There are many plant-based doctors and nutrition experts who recommend a plant-based diet. And yes, even among themselves there may be some differences.
Dr. McDougall stresses a starch centered diet.
Dr. Esselstyn is very strict on NO fats.
Dr Fuhrman likes nutrient dense foods.
Dr Greger recommends a handful of nuts ...
So you see, we're all a little different, but yet we're all still following a 'Plant-Based' or 'Vegan' Diet.
The Highway to Health
Of course with all these different variations, it's only natural to have some strong opinions from time to time. It's bound to happen.
But what really gets me fired up, is when these groups start picking on each other, and trust me, it happens more than you think.
A good friend of mine got banned from one group because she promoted a class taught by another. I myself have gotten beat up on several blog post because they contained a little sugar, or honey, or oil.
I see comments all the time on various Facebook Groups that just make me want to cringe.
Honey is NOT vegan!
This recipe is NOT compliant.
Dr McDougall does NOT promote a Vegan Diet.
Junk food vegans are not a whole lot better off than SAD eaters
Guys! Gals! Please!
We're ALL on the SAME ROAD here!
The way I see it, (and please feel free to join in if you disagree), is that we're all on the same path, or road if you will. And currently, there's not that many of us. Recent stats show Vegans only make up like 2.5% of the population of the United States.
Just 2.5%.... we've basically got the whole road to ourselves.
Meanwhile that SAD highway over there is literally bumper to bumper with unhealthy, ill, or obese people just waiting for the right opportunity to get off the ramp and come join us.

Believe it or not, I'm sure many of them would actually love to join us.
But do you really think they're going to want to if all they see is us fighting and bickering with each other? Ready to judge them like we judge each other at the drop of a hat?
Think of all these different vegan variations as the cars that we drive. Remember we're all on the same road together. We just happen to have different vehicles. So ff you're not getting the results you want with one car? Just switch to another! It's really that easy!
Pop in a McDougall Van for a week or two, how does that make you feel? Still a little bumpy? Try that Barnard Bus for a while instead.
It doesn't matter which car you take, we're still on that same road together, and probably have the same destination in mind. (Or maybe you don't really have a destination, you just enjoy the ride. That's fine too.)
What's important to remember here, is that we're NOT on that OTHER road.
For some, that road truly is a Highway to Hell..... for us, the animals, and our planet.
In my opinion, no matter which version of a plant-based diet we choose, we are way better off that the poor people over there stuck in a literal traffic jam forever. A traffic jam of cruelty, useless slaughter, climate change, dwindling resources, insane medical costs, chronic sickness, and eventually disease.
Let's play nice together, shall we? We may be driving different cars, but we're still on the right road.
The Highway to Health.
"Let's get along..... people are watching" - Jeff Novick RD
Nancy
I was thinking of the variations of the plant based "diets" and came to the conclusion the reason there are so many is because of the personalities surrounding each, With each personality, there is a variation that makes what they promote stand out from the others so that they can sell their style. The problem is that the "followers' become cultish with all the rules.
However, the principles of what to eat are basically the same: eat food, real food and as close to how mother nature intended.
Terri
I laughed oat milk out my nose when I read Barnard bus. I love Dr Neal Barnard, Dr McDougall introduced a whole galaxy of plant based superstars to me Barnard being one of many I adore. Dr McDougall’s were the first books i bought waaaay more than a few years ago. My first introduction to vegan being healthier not just a dangerous fad. Yes it is much easier to be vegan today but still we are Brand New Vegans everyday with the information we need to choose and prepare our meals
Gloria Parker Kersh
I agree -- well said. It really frustrates me when I see a plant-based person telling another plant-based person they aren't doing it right because they do consume oil, or cooked food, or whatever. You make an excellent point!!!
Sandy Kane
Very well said.
Sheena McKinnon
Amen!
Kim Cornman Hawkins
YES! THANK YOU!
Laura Oliveri
Excellent post, Chuck!
5busyrussells
Wonderful post. I use this same approach with my family - I follow plant based no oil, and they eat the meals I make, sometimes with some modifications - but baby steps. I do not criticize them for not eating 100% the way I eat ...