Discussion Board

I just finished watching FOK. This, along with what I have learned in just one semester of medical school, and I feel compelled to change my diet but I don't know where to start. In recent years, I have learned to eat some greens, but every meal I eat contains meat/chicken/seafood. Any suggestions on this huge transition in diet? Are there any suggested books with meal plans I can follow?

Have you checked out the free program here on this site for a starting point?

No, I haven't yet. Thank you. I'm now listening to the Starch Solution video while I browsing the site. Going to check this out now.

Raised on Mc.D's? I assume you mean McDonald's?

It's good to know there are medical students with open minds, willing to explore the non-traditional side of things. FoK is very compelling... doctors actually treating disease with food!

As for making the transition... I did it gradually. Like over the course of a couple years. I slowly added more and more whole food starches and veggies to my diet over time. I eventually got to the point where the more whole plant foods I ate, the less I wanted animal products.

I think most people just take the plunge and go for it, but that's what worked for me.

Best wishes to you with med school. The world needs more plant strong doctors.

When I started I bought Dr. McDougall's cd's "Made Easy" and "Made Irresistible" they made it much easier for me and my family of 5 to make the transition. The cd's provide many recipes with demonstrations and a lot of information and advice from Dr. McDougall throughout. I am the only cook in the house and it was challenging to make meals that everyone would eat and enjoy. 4 years later I am still going strong thanks to Dr. McDougall for getting me started.

You could go to the website of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and get their "Starter Kit" booklet.

Thank you so much for your replies and suggestions. I've looked through the free program and think I'll give it a try. Other than B12 supplement are there any other vitamins I should take? Maybe just continue my daily multi-vitamin?

You get all the vitamins you need from even just a small variety of whole plant foods. Dr. McDougall discourages the use of supplements. B12 you don't need to worry about for the first couple of years of being on a strict plant food diet. The body stores it for long periods of time.

You might want to check out CRON-o-Meter, A tool for tracking nutrients.
Web app is here.
Stand alone version here.

Hope for the future! A new doctor in the making!

The free program and this board will get you started. In addition to the books you already have, you might want to go on-line and get some of Dr. McDougall's earlier books. You can usually find them used for very little money.

Where do you live? It helps to find people in your area for support. Since you're in med school, I don't suppose you have much time for socializing. But, if you are anywhere near the SF Bay Area, I can pretty much guarantee that there are people around who will keep you well fed.

If you want to transition slowly to a new healthier diet,
you might want to check out Dean Ornish's book,

The Spectrum: A Scientifically Proven Program to Feel Better, Live Longer, Lose Weight, and Gain Health by Dean Ornish MD

I highly recommend Dr. McDougall's Quick and Easy cookbook. We have so many family favorites from that book alone.

Good luck!

While no medication school for me, I started with FoK as a recommendation and that lead to the Internet and started researching some of the people I learned about in the movie. That lead to Dr. McDougall, here in NoCal and found his book The McDougall Program, after reading about the free program promoted on his website. I transitioned over 3 months (Oct-Dec, 2011) and did his 12 day program in January. I continued to learn about a plant based lifestyle and read further offerings from Esselstyn and Campbell.

I heartily second this suggestion. Great, great resource, especially if you are short on time.

How can you tell a long time McDougaller? When you see the abbreviation 'McD' and think McDougall not McDonald's!
Kate