Day 210: Forks Over Knives?

Photo by Edgar Castrejon on Unsplash

I was looking for a healthy breakfast at the Cleveland Clinic this morning.

Of course, “healthy” is a highly disputed term, but, for what it’s worth, I was looking for plant-based whole foods. Gary and I have been eating a more whole food/plant dominant/Mediterranean diet lately, with good results and greater enjoyment than before the switch.

I thought I ought to have decent luck finding something I wanted to eat at the Cleveland Clinic. After all, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, the cardiologist whose whole food, plant based dietary program is featured in Forks Over Knives, is still the director of the Heart Disease Reversal Program here.

I was shocked at what I found (or didn’t find). After searching the two Starbucks, the Panera Bread, and the Cleveland Clinic cafeteria, the best I could do was a small cup of not-very-fresh cut melon.

Literally.

Sigh.

I used to devote my career to studying the food system, how regulation shapes it, and how the law could improve it. I’m glad I don’t do that anymore. I’d rather work on something a little easier and less emotional. Like immigration.

But if you want to explore the case for a more plant-dominant diet, I really enjoy Plant Chompers, a highly entertaining and informed walk through the peer-reviewed nutrition research.