EATING FOR THE EIGHTIES: A Complete Guide to Vegetarian Nutrition

Of all the vegetarian nutrition guides that have made their appearance in recent years, this is indeed one of the more complete. The Hartbargers not only discuss the special advantages (less saturated fat) and possible risks (less iron and zinc) of a vegetarian diet, but also review the RDAs for every nutrient, assessing the chances of meeting the established requirements without eating meat. The information is more up-to-date, though less well documented, than that in the existing vegetarians' bible, Laurel's Kitchen; and the Hartbargers also point to subsequent protein research which questions Lappe's rigid complementarity approach in Diet for a Small Planet. A foreword announces their intention to lay out the facts of vegetarian nutrition in a manner that is presifted, easy to understand, and without hundreds of footnotes to trip over, but not superficial in its treatment of technical realities."" Some readers might prefer a few footnotes so they could assess for themselves some of the Hartbargers' more general statements; however, those inclined to accept a guidebook's word with its advice will not be led astray. They will also learn, via special sections, how to raise a vegetarian child (from birth) and how to compete in athletic meets. The advice is sensible and based on current consensus thinking, with no wild folklore from the vegetarian fringe. Sections on personal menu planning and vegetarian cooking (both agreeably flexible) tend to favor cheese rather than legumes despite the guide's earlier support for plant protein; but the Hartbargers' mainstream audience will no doubt feel more comfortable with these familiar basics as they begin to branch out into tofu and tempeh.