THE SMART GIRL'S GUIDE TO GOING VEGETARIAN

Detailed yet concise, this guide to vegetarianism encompasses a broad range of possible choices for teens interested in adopting plant-based diets.

From going completely vegan to simply eating meat that is produced relatively ethically, nutritionist Warren breezily suggests that teens take her short quiz to determine what eating style works best for them. She addresses her audience directly and offers a bit of her own background, including a decision to become a vegetarian as a teen that resulted in less-than-optimal nutrition due to a tendency to view French fries and rice as foods around which to center her diet. The guide is particularly useful in the care it takes in elucidating the myriad terms that exist in labeling food, the breakdown of what foods are good for vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians at ethnic and chain restaurants, and the potential pitfall of an animal product showing up in food where it would be least expected (fish sauce in “vegetarian” pad Thai; anchovies in Caesar salad). Warren also provides plenty of information on optimal vegetarian nutrition, veg-friendly colleges, online resources, as well as easy recipes and practical but polite ways to talk with adults about eschewing meat.

An upbeat, informative resource that will come in handy for many a teen—a shame that teen boys will almost certainly avoid it due to the title.