I’m STOKED for today’s book giveaway!!
Tom is a good friend of mine (we share a love for snow sports and Star Wars!) and such a fun, young, bright spirit that he alone gives me high hopes for the future of medicine and the plant-based movement. (We also co-taught a few classes in the new plant-based program through eCornell!)
You might know his previous work… The China Study, which he co-wrote with his father (the other Dr. Campbell!).
Tom’s also my expert co-host on today’s Meal Mentor podcast. Listen here.
Tom answers your burning questions about nutrition and wellness on the podcast and now he’s sitting down with us on the blog to discuss his NEW book, The Campbell Plan: The Simple Way to Lose Weight and Reverse Illness, using The China Study’s Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet (which includes some of my recipes!).
What inspired you to write The Campbell Plan?
After the success of The China Study, we realized that people are looking to take the next step and change their lifestyle. I wanted to arm them with the knowledge about a whole-foods, plant-based diet. The goal was to create a practical guide to living this way that is as simple as possible: eating simple, whole foods and plant-based foods for optimal health results, whether your goal is to decrease disease or to lose weight.
How does the Campbell Plan differ from The China Study?
The China Study is the argument for living a whole-foods, plant-based lifestyle – it only has about four pages of how to execute that diet. The Campbell Plan is an outgrowth of The China Study. The new book is the nitty gritty on living a whole foods, plant-based lifestyle that includes the latest evidence out there on fish, soy, sugar, oil, gluten and more, and is as practical as possible. The Campbell Plan focuses on the details of day to day life of plant-based eating.
What are some top line medical benefits of eating a plant-based diet?
As the research in The China Study demonstrated and additional evidence in the 9 years since then has proven even further, eating a plant-based diet reduces the risk of diabetes (even reversing it), heart disease, and cancer. Recent research even found that a whole food, plant-based diet was successful in treating prostate cancer. Low fat, fiber rich, plant-based diets are also linked to healthier gut bacteria.
Do you have a list of staple foods any newbie should have on hand?
Yes! So many people focus on what they have to eliminate to follow this lifestyle, it’s important to remember you’re introducing foods too. Just some of my favorites/most useful items are as follows, but there are many more: 100% whole wheat pasta or brown rice pasta, quinoa, beans (I often use canned due to my busy schedule, but dried are great too – they just need to be soaked overnight), sweet potatoes/yams, hummus (make your own without oil or tahini), unsweetened almond milk, lots of spices. This is just a handful of what I find the most useful.
What are your suggestions for oil substitutes in baking?
Many fruit purees are surprisingly good for baking. Sometimes they change the food’s texture, but in general prune paste and unsweetened applesauce work very well for soft baked goods like muffins, breads and cookies. Don’t forget to use non-stick and silicone baking materials, as well as parchment paper!
What are some of your go-to recipes from the book?
I love the Tasty Tostados (pg. 208), Ocean Chickpea Sandwiches (pg. 214), and Sweet Potato Fries (pg. 219) are always a fun snack or side dish. I really love the Soba Peanut Noodles (pg. 221) that you were nice enough to contribute for the book!
Aww Tom! You’re making me blush!!!
Click here to buy your copy of The Campbell Plan.
For a chance to win a free copy, name your favorite plant-based protein source. AANND to turn one of the “vegan myths” on its head, you can’t say beans, nuts, seeds, soy, tofu, seitan, or faux meats as your answer ;) Because why??? ALL PLANT FOODS PACK PROTEIN!
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
