Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health, The #1 New York Times Bestseller

Forks Over Knives is one of four books (Reversing and Preventing Heart Disease, China Study, and Engine 2 Diet) I recently purchased to help me make a decision about altering my nutrition program. Just recently, Drs. Esselstyn and Ornish were showcased in CNN's interview with former President Bill Clinton and Dr. Sanjay Gupa about heart problems and diet. It was from those interviews that I purchased the four books on the subject from Amazon. I would recommend reading Dr. Esselstyn's Reversing and Preventing Heart Disease first because after reading his book, if you find his recommendation of "not eating anything with a face or a mother" translated into no meat, poultry, fish, eggs and other good stuff...then why read the other three books because with some exceptions on their Do and Don't lists, the remaining books follow the basic theme. If you find Dr. Esselstyn's recommendations worth considering, then for sure read Dr. Ornish's book and The China Study. Each book is very thorough in explaining the background, research, studies, and why they feel their nutritional program is vital for the prevention of not just heart disease but many other major diseases. The authors and families actually eat what they preach and include a generous and well-rounded amount of recipes. The Engine 2 Diet is written by Rip Esselstyn (a firefighter and marathon runner) and is a tad more generous with items on the ALLOWED list and gives a very helpful list of sources for various vegetarian food products.If you feel the need to alter your diet and want to know more about reversing and preventing some major diseases in addition to heart disease, do yourself a favor and consider making a major change in your nutrition program. I am going to give it a whirl for 12 weeks!

Book and DVD. The DVD needs to be watched first as it truly is the heavy of the documentation for what the book briefly discussed. It all discusses the research done by the China Studies and the reworking and evaluation done by these two incredible doctors and their associated teams of people who truly believe by the research that the strict vegetarian diet does truly stop the cancer cell production and they prove it. What they say is that the farmer products of meat, dairy, eggs including grass fed meat are what turn on the cancer cell production. They demonstrate by their research studies that those foods have to be 5% or less to keep cancer cells turned off; the catch is their studies just said keep it out of the diet. They also advocated a wholesome diet of fresh veggies and fruit and staying away from the processed foods chemical diet. Real food and real cooking like people used to do back in the 70's and 80's before the days of packaged food existence is what they recommend. It is the alkaline diet we are talking about. I would add that health supplements, but not all supplements are healthy as per the type of chemicals and additives found in many. I have several I use but they are carefully selected and they work for me, but it took a while to find them. One other one I will mention is MegaHydrate with biochemist Patrick Flanigan; it took 30 years of research to break the code to make this product and what it does possible. What he did is by scientific thought, totally impossible, which is why it took a genius like himself to find the answer. So many things now exist in our world to make life and a quality of life possible, if people are truly working to make it so. Being healthy is hard work and staying healthy despite medical challenges is even harder work, but worth it. I find most people prefer the chemical processed food diet and realize it is harming them but they love the taste and that kind of menu causes cravings to keep it going just like an addiction; it also turns off the "full feeling signal" that the brain normally sends out. So many factors are in play to keep the processed food diet plan. It has no nutrition so the body keeps screaming for nutrition and doesn't get it and people keep eating so it is a vicious cycle also. Eat something processed, you crave more. Real food doesn't do that to a person as it has nutrition in it and is satisfying to the body and the brain.

What an inspiration this book is to me! I purchased this book after watching the DVD "Forks Over Knives". I was so motivated to take charge and be in control of my hypertension and high cholesterol. The DVD was so informative by teaching me the abuse I've been putting my body through just by the foods I was eating. This book is helpful with staying on track with a plant based diet and and the recipes are good! I love the fact that they aren't using dairy or processed foods in their recipes. It has been 10 days and I feel better already. I'm sleeping better as well. I highly recommend that if you are ready to make a change for the better and have your body reward you with the benefits, then make these simple changes to what you put into your body! The most important message I gained from the DVD is when one doctor was saying that switching to a plant based diet might be considered extreme, but the transplant of an artery from your leg to your heart to repair the damage of poor diet IS extreme. Take control of your health and don't be a victim of processed foods.

I ordered this book after my dad was recommended to follow the plant-based diet. It's seemed absurd to me that you need to cut out all animal products including dairy and all fats like olive oil, as well as nuts. I can understand meat but the healthy fats and nuts that we've been told are good for you are not allowed. However, after ordering this book and watching the documentary, Fork over Knife, I understand this way of eating is more prescriptive and by following it, you can save yourself surgery, tons of money and the side effects from medication and live a longer, more productive life. Although it is difficult (and I am not currently following it), I am working on reducing animal products and trying to incorporate more all vegetarian eating days. I'm not certain that my dad is 100% sold on this eating plan and would be able to do it although he really should because of his severe PAD and heart issues. I haven't given him the books yet, I'm reviewing them first and then I'm going to pass them along. Although I like most vegetables and grains, many of the recipes are just a little too out there with the seasonings but there are a few that are worth the try. I think they need to keep promoting this plant based eating, especially in the healthcare setting. I'm glad my dad's doc suggested it for him.

This cookbook is a total game-changer! It’s the kind of book that makes healthy eating feel exciting, not restrictive. Every recipe is bursting with flavor, using fresh, real ingredients that turn simple meals into something to get excited about. No bland, boring dishes here — just vibrant, mouthwatering food that leaves you feeling energized and satisfied.It’s perfect for anyone who thinks healthy food is too hard or tasteless. The recipes are super easy to follow and packed with punch, making healthy eating feel like a treat rather than a chore. Whether you're cooking for yourself or whipping up something for friends, you’ll be amazed at how effortless and delicious it is to eat well.What really stands out is how this book celebrates flavor. It’s not about cutting corners; it’s about savoring every bite without guilt. Healthy can absolutely be delicious, and this book proves it. If you want to spice up your cooking, fuel your body, and feel incredible doing it, this cookbook is a must-have.

I originally got this book from my local library, after watching the movie. It has a lot of information in it about nutrition and specifically a "plant based" diet, plus it has quite a few recipes in it that are QUICK, EASY and HEALTHY (but sadly, no pictures). I kept it for a few months, until my library insisted that I return it...go figure...so, I bought my own copy on Amazon and AFTER it arrived in the mail, I returned the other one to the library. I had post-it notes on all the recipes I wanted to try and had to transfer those to my own copy. I love the recipes. The personal stories from others who have changed their lives with going plant based were inspiring...but it was mostly the recipes I was after. I think this is the book I will give out as presents to family members at Christmas (along with the China Study). Highly recommend!!

My review is based on what I expected vs. what the book delivered. I had high hopes that the book would not only put forward compelling and readable science concerning the benefits of a vegan diet, but would also offer guidance on how to live a vegan lifestyle. I am a mostly-vegan but I struggle with dairy and sweets, hunger on the road, and often a lack of satisfaction with my meals (which leads to unsound choices).The book is light on science but has some people profiles that are quite interesting. The science, as I now understand, must be in The China Study (which I have ordered).The book is heavy on recipes, which most vegetarians probably don't need. There are 143 pages of recipes and 54 pages of science, commentary and profiles. The laudable aim seems to be to show just how easy vegetarian preparation is. But I would have liked another 143 pages of science, advice and profiles. Those of us who do need recipes would do better to peruse the many many excellent vegetarian cookbooks on Amazon. In this regard, Forks Over Knives (on its website) is linked with a few other worthy books.I am a HUGE fan of the effort to bring good nutrition to the forefront of American consciousness, and the professionals profiled in this book have the credentials and charisma to do it. But if people are going to start buying books on the benefits of a new vegan/vegetarian commitment, the books need to become less rangy and more concise and procedural. In other words, they need focus: the science, the lifestyle, the recipes.BUT...For a VERY first book on a vegan regimen, this book is not scary, not over-scientific, not very long. I suspect that those who have been awakened by the movie or the buzz will find this book just the right length and density.

This book is a must-have, especially as an adjunct to the stellar documentary. As a 62-year-old, previously lazy "50% vegetarian" type, I must tell you that the movie AND this wonderful book finally "did the trick". My husband, a stubborn (but lovable!) "Brooklyn Boy", has even jumped on the bandwagon, after a few weeks of great meals gleaned from this book. We were, quite literally, "digging our graves with our teeth", until this gentle yet forceful call-to-arms came along! The compelling personal profiles contained in the book are terrific, and the recipes are unbelievably delicious! I've learned so much from this book, particularly how crucial the right herbs and spices are to keeping one motivated! "Lemme tell ya", these recipes are so great that you honestly do not "miss" the meat, fish, etc. Your palate is awakened, refreshed, and beckons you forth on a new journey to wellness. "Clean food" is the key to giving one vitality, clear-headedness, and vibrant health. I have a new grandson, which makes me determined to stay away from medicine and general "malaise" (as President Carter was fond of diagnosing...) My husband, twenty years older than I, had started down the path of allopathic drugs, etc. and had begun showing signs of side-effects. I am confident that in a few months, this new diet will bring about a renaissance, and add years to both of our lives. This book is a great picklock to a treasure trove of new ideas and greater happiness -- through sensible eating!

Very nice and interesting book

I bought this book after watching the documentary and it is a fantastic tie in, packed with great recipe ideas and a guide to staying on the whole foods, plant-based diet.The documentary and the book provide convincing and proven information about how this kind of diet can help maintain excellent health and moves away from the traditional "Medicate" mentality.Highly recommended to anyone considering this approach.

I was expecting more info on the pros of a PLANT based diet with scientific facts, instead I found mostly recipies.I want to help people get better. I know so many people who need a reason to convert, but this book doesn't even convince me, ...and I'm a plant eater.

I absolutely LOVE this book. I bought it after I watched the documentary two or three times, and seriously this documentary, book and the Forks Over Knives cookbook all changed my life completely.I lost weight, my acid reflux and sinus issues disappeared completely, I lost weight, gained a ton of energy, don't have to sleep as much anymore, my acne went away, even my hair is shinier (seriously! haha).I can't explain to everyone how much this docu and books have helped me turn my life around. I never imagine ever being able to feel so good on a daily basis as I feel now eating a whole foods, plant-based (and organic) diet. I eat as much food as I want, and still lost weight, I never count calories or anything crazy like that - who needs to when you feed your body actual FOOD (and not processed trash and processed animal products!).It's so crazy, but yet so simple, the concept of healing your body through what you eat. But it actually works. I literally haven't been sick in almost a year now, and I used to get sick ALL the time. I haven't even had so much as a cold! When I start to feel a sore throat coming on, I make an extra smoothie for myself, eating as much raw as possible, and it's literally worked every time. Eating as much raw as possible is so important, but I can't believe how much stronger my immune system is now that I eat healthy, REAL food and no longer eat processed garbage and animal products. Yuck! I have more variety in my meals every day than I ever did when eating junky, processed food and animal products, and the food tastes sooo much better than a burger and fries or boring meat and potato dish! I never thought I'd hear myself say those words, but it's true! Haha.Anyway, totally recommend this documentary and book, 100% - you won't regret it, it's incredible. And anyone who gives it a shot will see exactly what I mean.Good luck everyone, hope this was helpful. Happy, healthy eating to all! :) And, remember:"Let food be thy medicine." - Hippocrates

Ce livre accompagne le film du même nom qui a fait un tabac aux Etats-Unis, pays pourtant du Fast-Food et du Coca Cola. Il arrivera en France aux printemps 2013 sous le titre "A vos fourchettes". Il faut absolument aller le voir et le faire voir. Des scientifiques du plus haut niveau expliquent comment faire reculer la plupart des maladies de civilisation - en changeant sa façon de se nourrir.