| I thought this was going to be a book about | | | | any traditional cultures that are purely vegan. |
| nutrition but I was wrong... | | | | The macronutrient ratios of the first 3 cultures |
| That's only half of the story. The real message of | | | | turned out to be very similar: Carbohydrate |
| this book is about love, and caring for each other. | | | | 69-74%, Protein 10-13%, Fat 15-18% of calories. |
| John Robbins didn't disappoint me. He cares deeply. | | | | I was a little disappointed that the Okinawan |
| About people, about the planet and about our | | | | figures weren't included with the other 3 cultures |
| relationship with each other. | | | | in the table giving us overall statistics on these |
| The book looks for inspiration at the healthiest | | | | diets, based on percentage of calories. I can only |
| traditional cultures we know of, the Abkhasians, | | | | imagine that the Okinawan diet didn't quite fit in as |
| Vilcabambans, Hunzas and Okinawans. These | | | | well with the overall message of the book, which |
| cultures are well known for producing very old | | | | is heavily focused on plant-based diets. Giving the |
| healthy people so it makes perfect sense to | | | | percentages by weight isn't really very meaningful. |
| study them, find out what they can teach us... | | | | I was also disappointed that there is no |
| The teachings go way beyond nutrition and | | | | nitty-gritty in this book. A distinct lack of |
| exercise though. They go further into cultural | | | | information on how to apply this to everyday life. |
| attitudes and beliefs that have powerful outcomes | | | | What should I eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and |
| when it comes to the health of the people. It | | | | how much? We are left to work it out for |
| turns out for example, that all these cultures | | | | ourselves. Some will be able to do that but I feel |
| placed tremendous value on the elderly. Old folks | | | | most will not do it. I think you've got to make |
| enjoyed the very highest status in these societies. | | | | things simple for people to follow, tell them |
| So much so, that often we see the elderly | | | | exactly what to do. It's just too confusing |
| exaggerating their real age. | | | | otherwise. Maybe it will be in a follow-up book :). |
| These special places certainly didn't have the | | | | In terms of these kind of diets being optimal, I |
| youth and beauty obsessions of modern Western | | | | think to get rid of all animal foods is throwing the |
| society. Young, old and very very old lived | | | | baby out with the bath water. Of course, all four |
| together, worked together and played together. | | | | of these cultures do include some animal foods |
| We also see 'inclusive' mind-sets. Very rarely if | | | | but John Robbins tends to extrapolate this into |
| ever were people shunned or discarded by these | | | | the realms of vegan diets which they clearly |
| communities because of disability or infirmity. All | | | | aren't. John even talks about the benefits of fish |
| were respected for their special gifts whatever | | | | in the diet and the importance of omega-3 which |
| abilities they may or may not have. | | | | seems confusing and off-track with his main |
| The focus on love in this book goes further | | | | message of veganism? |
| though, than looking at how people interact and | | | | Also of course, these diets contain quite large |
| care for each other in the long-lived cultures. It | | | | amounts of grains which are not natural foods for |
| shows us just how important loving relationships | | | | humans. If you compare these overall diets with |
| are to our health and well-being. 'Loneliness will kill | | | | what most people are doing they are clearly a |
| you faster than cigarettes' we're told and there's | | | | million miles ahead... All whole foods, mega portions |
| solid science to back it up. | | | | of fruits and vegetables and so-on. In my view as |
| It's something I've felt deeply in my own | | | | I said, and as the Okinawans and Abkhasians |
| reflections on life. How the modern world puts so | | | | shows, it's entirely possible to be very healthy |
| much pressure on the individual, instead of people | | | | with small amounts of animal products they |
| supporting each other. Once you're old enough to | | | | may even be vital. I believe that if you're going to |
| work in Western society, it's all down to you. You | | | | follow a dietary model, then you should follow all |
| must compete with your peers for the best jobs, | | | | of it and not pick out the bits that suit your |
| study harder, work harder to get on and up. It's | | | | ethical philosophy. Or at least acknowledge the |
| all about ME against the world. That's how it feels. | | | | risk you take by doing so. |
| I have to WIN at life and if that means doing my | | | | Grains in the modern world can be a double edged |
| fellow man down so be it! There's got to be a | | | | sword. They aren't without their uses despite |
| better way. | | | | being unnatural for humans to eat. |
| These traditional cultures do show us a different | | | | You may have noticed me referring to the |
| way but it's difficult to see how these ideas could | | | | healthiest of societies in the past tense. It's very |
| be applied to modern life in a massive way. It's | | | | sad that in all of the ancient traditions, the modern |
| going to be up to individuals to try and create | | | | Western values and ways of life are slowly but |
| communities and I'm sure there are many | | | | surely encroaching and only the oldest maintain |
| alternative communities out there run by forward | | | | the traditional ways and values. |
| thinking people. The big message is 'get support', | | | | Don't let my minor protestations put you off this |
| get loving relationships and close human bonds in | | | | book. This is a hugely positive and life-affirming |
| your life or else your health will suffer. | | | | book. It had me wet-eyed on more than one |
| If we don't have this in our lives, then surely we | | | | occasion with very moving stories and anecdotes. |
| don't feel safe. It's a big world out there to be | | | | The main message is a beautiful and timely one. |
| alone in. If you've got kids, you'll know how deeply | | | | We need to return to a simpler way of life that |
| you feel the need to protect them and surround | | | | does less damage to both ourselves, our fellow |
| them with a loving, nurturing environment so they | | | | humans and the whole of the natural world. |
| can feel safe and grow in confidence. | | | | If you like a bet and you want a sure-fire win |
| So, let's start caring for each other! | | | | with little risk then this diet is for you (as long as |
| Diet-wise the message was no big surprise. All | | | | you can tolerate grains!). The facts speak for |
| these cultures ate whole foods and ate a whole | | | | themselves and this book is a diamond as a |
| load of plant-based stuff. Fruits, vegetables, | | | | reference source alone with hundreds of scientific |
| wholegrains, nuts and seeds. Only the Abkhasians | | | | studies listed and quoted. |
| and Okinawans ate significant amounts of animal | | | | I do think that improvements are possible by |
| foods in their diet — The Abkhasians 10% | | | | means of less grain and food combining and so-on |
| and the Okinawans 16% (by weight). The other | | | | but like I say
you pay your money and take |
| two cultures ate 1% only but John Robbins notes | | | | your choice. |
| in the book that all traditional cultures include some | | | | The Verdict 4.5 / 5 |
| animal foods. | | | | This is a safe bet with a good chance of seeing |
| To my mind this is extremely telling. I believe that | | | | 100 if you follow the advice but may not give the |
| traditional wisdom is gained over a long, long time. | | | | absolute best results. Whatever you decide to bet |
| Practices that are observed to work are passed | | | | on, this book is visionary a must read. Well |
| on from generation to generation. There's | | | | done JR! |
| probably a very good reason why we don't see | | | | |