Plant Chat: Kathy Freston

Learn how best-selling author Kathy Freston transitioned to a vegan diet and the challenges she encountered in this interview with Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN. 

Kathy Freston is a bestselling author and health and wellness activist. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Lean, Veganist, and Quantum Wellness. A media favorite, Kathy has appeared frequently on national television, including Ellen, The Dr.Oz Show, Charlie Rose, Good Morning America, The Talk, The Martha Stewart Show, Extra and Oprah. In THE LEAN, Kathy has people leaning into more plant-based foods, which are filled with satiating fiber, and away from animal foods, which are loaded with saturated fat and cholesterol.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Kathy – a fellow vegan and plant-powered advocate – about her transition to becoming vegan and the benefits and challenges of following a vegan diet. She also shares her favorite plant-powered foods and words of wisdom in achieving a plant-powered lifestyle.

When and why did you decide to become vegan?

I came in through the “feeling” or ethical door… I was playing with my little chi chi one day, rubbing her belly and thinking how much I loved animals.  And then a little voice inside of me asked, “If you love animals so much, why are you eating them?”  Yikes.  That sort of started me on the trajectory of moving toward a vegan diet.  I thought I would get fat and probably die 10 years earlier by not eating animal protein (there is so much misinformation out there!).  But the more research I did, the more I realized that you actually lose weight and get super healthy by forgoing animal products.  I was so excited about what I was learning, I wanted to share it.

Personally, I could have never made the transition overnight.  It was too hard and overwhelming to give up all my traditional favorite foods.  So I decided to set my intention and then lean into it.  Within a year or two, I was eating a purely plant based diet and feeling great.  The “leaning in” approach was really successful with me, and I encourage people to go that route so that they can find their footing easily and comfortably.

After becoming vegan, what personal benefits did you gain?

I’ve reached my ideal weight and stay there without thinking about it or trying.  I haven’t had so much as a cold in 9 years, and certainly no flu or anything more serious.  My skin has cleared up (I had acne for years).  But most of all, I feel good in my soul… like something in me is aligned and on target with my best self.  Not only am I exercising my muscle of compassion, but I also feel great about being a good steward for the environment, since animal agriculture is so detrimental to the water, soil, forests, and air.

What are some biggest challenges in eating a vegan diet?

Some of us will eat anything and everything that’s vegan, because we can’t believe cupcakes and cookies and candy can actually be vegan!  Just because something is vegan doesn’t mean it’s healthy!  My advice:  steer clear of junk and sweets… lean more toward whole, nutrient dense foods like beans, veggies, whole grains, and fruits.  (But still have some goodies once in a while!)

What do you think are the biggest challenges for others wanting to adopt a more plant-based diet?

1. You think you have to be perfect.  Its way too difficult and overwhelming (and not very fun) to switch over to a whole new way of eating overnight.  I highly recommend leaning into the shift gradually, and focusing on progress, not perfection.  You can switch out 1 day a week, then 2, then 3 as you become more comfortable.

2. You deprive yourself of your traditional favorite foods like burgers and pizza and a Thanksgiving feast, so you feel left out and unfulfilled.  But you don’t have to give those things up; you can just have better versions of the things you grew up loving:  veggie burgers, pizza made with nondairy cheese and veggie sausage, and meat alternative turkey with mashed potatoes made with soy milk and nondairy butter.  Yes, whole foods are best, but traditions tie us to our families and communities, and you can enjoy them even as you lean more and more toward the healthier stuff.

What are your best tips you can offer to people wanting to incorporate more plant-foods into their diet?

Be patient and gentle with yourself as you continue to learn new ways of eating and living. There is no need for hard and fast rules or white knuckle determination. Keep leaning forward into the positive changes you are making, and then apply that same gentleness to your family and community.
On a practical note, instead of pasta Bolognese, have pasta with meatless meat crumbles.  Instead of a beef burrito, have a black bean burrito with avocados and salsa.  Instead of pepperoni pizza, make a whole grain pizza (crusts are readily available at supermarkets) with nondairy cheese and veggie sausage.  See, all the favorite foods, but without all the problems!

Do you feel that people are becoming more inspired to take on a plant-powered lifestyle?

If so, why? Well, the science is overwhelmingly in favor of a plant-based diet to prevent disease and premature aging.  Our economy simply cannot sustain the out of control health care costs that are brought about by the Standard American Diet wreaking havoc on our bodies.  So by economic necessity, we will move away from eating animals.  It will, of course, help people to stay vegan when they see how good they feel, and how much money they save by not getting sick.  But honestly, I think what’s necessary to really stay vegan – and to be happy about it – is multifaceted.  We have to 1.  Find delicious and fulfilling foods/restaurants that satisfy our cravings, 2. Be moved by the suffering of animals so much that we would no longer dream of eating them. And 3. Get excited that we are at the front of a movement that is about to reach a tipping point.  I don’t know about you, but I love being an early adopter!

What are some of your favorite plant-based resources for recipes and other health inspiration?

Recipes:

https://Vegweb.com
https://Vegancooking.com
https://Vegcooking.com
https://Chooseveg.com/vegan-recipes.asp

Health:

https://www.pcrm.org/health/health-topics/

Eating out:  
https://www.happycow.net/

What do you eat in a typical day? 

I am a hearty eater, so I eat 3 squares and a few snacks.

Breakfast:  I start out with brown rice for breakfast (I make a big batch of it 2 or 3 times a week and keep it in the fridge), with some chopped dates and raw almonds mixed in… heated soy or almond milk on top with a drizzle of agave.

Snacks:  Nuts and goji berries.  Bittersweet chocolate.  Power smoothie after a workout.

Lunch:  Black bean burrito and salad, or lentil soup and cheesy toast, or whole grain pasta with broccoli, veggie sausage, and sundried tomatoes.

Dinner:  Grilled tofu with roasted sweet potatoes, asparagus, and a big salad.

And I always have an apple a day!

What are some of your favorite foods?

I’m a creamy, cheesy FREAK!  So I couldn’t live without

• Daiya cheese (for pizza, grilled cheese, or melted atop anything);
• Cashew cream (super easy to make by soaking raw cashews in water overnight, and blending at a high speed) for pasta cream sauce or creamy soups;
• Silk soy creamer (plain for coffee and tea; vanilla for more desserty type stuff)
• Earth Balance (because life should not be lived without buttery taste.. this is just a healthier, nondairy version of it)
• Purely Decadent Cherry Nirvana soy ice cream.  Need I say more?

Please feel free to share anything else you’d like to add.

When I find restaurants that have both meat AND non-animal protein, they become my go-to favorites because everyone in the group can enjoy their meals.  9 times out of 10, my carnivore friends end up liking what I have better, and they begin to shift.  I also like supporting businesses that are making an effort to upgrade according to this emerging market.