See the amazing before and after results of people who switched to a whole food plant-based diet!
Check out the amazing transformations of people embracing a whole food plant-based diet!
Check out the amazing transformations of people embracing a whole food plant-based diet!
More people are finding success in improving their health and losing excess weight by adopting a whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet. Here are some inspiring testimonies from Forks Over Knives that illustrate the transformative power of this lifestyle change.
These testimonies come from the US, in which ultra-processed foods make up 73% of their food supply, more than any other country worldwide. These include everything from their snacks, baked goods, packaged meals and sugary drinks.
Processing in itself is not bad, as humans have adapted their palate to have their foods processed to a degree such as through cooking, seasoning and pickling. However, ultra-processed foods undergo significant industrial tampering, altering the chemical structure of the ingredients, forming cancer causing forever chemicals in the process.
Studies increasingly link ultra-processed foods to health issues like obesity, diabetes, hypertension and higher mortality rates. Many of the people we will be discussing have been long-term adherents of the “American diet”, and have received numerous health complications as a result. Their transformation with a whole food plant-based diet is nothing short of miraculous!
Rena's Story: Resolving Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain in Months
What was supposed to be a peaceful biking trip went wrong and left Rena Johnson wheelchair-bound. Rena had struggled with rheumatoid arthritis for 20 years after the accident when she decided to try a plant-based approach. Within just a few short months, all of her arthritis symptoms disappeared. She was able to stop medications that she had been relying on for years. On top of having her chronic illness healed, Rena lost 30 pounds (14 kg) as well and has maintained her weight and health for over a decade since.
Kenny's Story: Reversing Metabolic Syndrome
Kenneth Horton found himself in poor health both physically and mentally after years of serving the military. He suffered from PTSD as a result of a plane crash which led to many other health problems. He was diagnosed with a metabolic syndrome and had gained weight as a result of his inactive lifestyle from his injuries. Switching to a WFPB diet, Kenneth normalized his cholesterol and blood sugar. His metabolism improved as well, shocking even his doctors! At age 61, he vows to stay away from dairy and animal products as a testament to how his diet changed his life.
Patricia’s Story: From Liver Problems to Full Recovery
Patricia Spratt was diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), showing severe liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, along with prediabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Her doctor warned she’d need a liver transplant in 3-6 years if she went down this path. On December 24, 2023, after learning about the whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diet, Patricia went vegan overnight. Within weeks, she began losing weight and feeling much better. After 4 months, her liver stiffness score improved, and a year later, she lost 35 pounds, reversed her diabetes, and normalized her liver tests, blood pressure, and cholesterol. An amazing recovery!
Kaitlyn’s Story: Losing 70+ Pounds (32 kg) after Years of Eating Junk Food
Kaitlyn Teague lost over 70 pounds (32 kg) after adopting a WFPB diet. For years she struggled with weight and poor health due to her standard American diet which consisted of a lot of processed junk food. A plant-based diet helped her reverse fatty liver disease and shed excess weight, improving movement as well as reducing joint pain which had worsened due to her weight.
These transformation stories are all based in America, a country with a processed food epidemic. This serves as a suitable case study as it starts off at the extreme end of people who have eaten for years, even decades on ultra-processed foods; to a full body and mind transformation with the help of a WFPB diet.
As globalization increases, the American diet and its sister offshoot the South Korean diet are gaining in popularity. These two diets have a heavy emphasis on artificial and processed ingredients. While having these once in a while can be a good reward, they should not be eaten regularly due to their risks of increasing inflammation, chronic illnesses, diabetes, cancer, as well as increasing obesity and mortality risks.
Links to articles referenced:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/20/processed-foods-health-what-to-know