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VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 to Lose Weight and Restore Your Health... for Good
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Food & Cookbooks (2013)If you’re one of the millions who have thought of trying a vegan diet but fear it’s too monotonous or unfamiliar, VB6 will introduce a flexible way of eating that you can really live with for life.
Six years ago, an overweight, pre-diabetic Mark Bittman faced a medical directive: adopt a vegan diet or go on medication. He was no fan of a lifelong regimen of pills, but as a food writer he lived—and worked—to eat. So neither choice was appealing. His solution was a deal with himself. He would become a “flexitarian.”
He adopted a diet heavy in vegetables, fruits, and grains by following a healthy vegan diet (no meat, dairy, or processed foods) all day. After 6:00 p.m. he’d eat however he wanted, though mostly in moderation. Beyond that, his plan involved no gimmicks, scales, calorie counting, or point systems. And there were no so-called forbidden foods—he ate mostly home-cooked meals that were as varied and satisfying as they were delicious.
He called this plan Vegan Before 6:00 (VB6 for short), and the results were swift and impressive. Best of all, they proved to be lasting and sustainable over the long haul. Bittman lost 35 pounds and saw all of his blood numbers move in the right direction.
Using extensive scientific evidence to support his plan, the acclaimed cookbook author and food policy columnist shows why his VB6 approach succeeds when so many other regimens not only fail, but can actually lead to unwanted weight gain. He then provides all the necessary tools for making the switch to a flexitarian diet: lists for stocking the pantry, strategies for eating away from home in a variety of situations, pointers for making cooking on a daily basis both convenient and enjoyable, and a complete 28-day eating plan showing VB6 in action.
Finally, Bittman provides more than 60 recipes for vegan breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, as well as non-vegan dinners that embrace the spirit of a vegetable- and grain-forward diet.
Six years ago, an overweight, pre-diabetic Mark Bittman faced a medical directive: adopt a vegan diet or go on medication. He was no fan of a lifelong regimen of pills, but as a food writer he lived—and worked—to eat. So neither choice was appealing. His solution was a deal with himself. He would become a “flexitarian.”
He adopted a diet heavy in vegetables, fruits, and grains by following a healthy vegan diet (no meat, dairy, or processed foods) all day. After 6:00 p.m. he’d eat however he wanted, though mostly in moderation. Beyond that, his plan involved no gimmicks, scales, calorie counting, or point systems. And there were no so-called forbidden foods—he ate mostly home-cooked meals that were as varied and satisfying as they were delicious.
He called this plan Vegan Before 6:00 (VB6 for short), and the results were swift and impressive. Best of all, they proved to be lasting and sustainable over the long haul. Bittman lost 35 pounds and saw all of his blood numbers move in the right direction.
Using extensive scientific evidence to support his plan, the acclaimed cookbook author and food policy columnist shows why his VB6 approach succeeds when so many other regimens not only fail, but can actually lead to unwanted weight gain. He then provides all the necessary tools for making the switch to a flexitarian diet: lists for stocking the pantry, strategies for eating away from home in a variety of situations, pointers for making cooking on a daily basis both convenient and enjoyable, and a complete 28-day eating plan showing VB6 in action.
Finally, Bittman provides more than 60 recipes for vegan breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, as well as non-vegan dinners that embrace the spirit of a vegetable- and grain-forward diet.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2013
About the author
Mark Bittman
64books918followersMARK BITTMAN is one of the country's best-known and most widely respected food writers. His How to Cook Everything books, with one million copies in print, are a mainstay of the modern kitchen. Bittman writes for the Opinion section of New York Times on food policy and cooking, and is a columnist for the New York Times Magazine. His "The Minimalist" cooking show, based on his popular NYT column, can be seen on the Cooking Channel. His most recent book, VB6, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in its first week on sale.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews
June 27, 2015
I wonder if it pains Mark Bittman that his thoughtful approach to eating more sustainably, and also healthfully, is being marketed as, horror of horrors, a "diet book." (Or perhaps he's just laughing all the way to the bank.) Regardless, I mainly appreciatedVB6for its insights about the value of a balanced, grain/legume/fruit&veggie-centric diet, and its accessible recipes that are low in ingredients but high in flavor.
So often, vegan cooking relies on vegan pantry staples (seitan, Ener-G egg replacer, grain and nut milks, margarine/butter substitutes, etc.) that are not staples for the rest of us. Additionally, recipes tend to be longer than normal (due to substitutions), which can trick an oftentimes tired and hungry chef (like me) into thinking that they're going to take more time than they're worth.
InVB6,Bittman relies on pantry staples that just about anyone will have on hand--beans, grains, pastas, nuts--along with fresh fruits and veggies to round out the bulk of his recipes. He does call for tofu, but that's easy enough to find and keep around. The weirdest ingredient I encountered? Liquid smoke--for his tofu jerky.
If you read Bittman regularly, much of the first half of this book won't be new to you. But if you're interested in cooking more simple vegan recipes that are unintimidating and actually taste good, the recipe section alone is worth the cover price.
So often, vegan cooking relies on vegan pantry staples (seitan, Ener-G egg replacer, grain and nut milks, margarine/butter substitutes, etc.) that are not staples for the rest of us. Additionally, recipes tend to be longer than normal (due to substitutions), which can trick an oftentimes tired and hungry chef (like me) into thinking that they're going to take more time than they're worth.
InVB6,Bittman relies on pantry staples that just about anyone will have on hand--beans, grains, pastas, nuts--along with fresh fruits and veggies to round out the bulk of his recipes. He does call for tofu, but that's easy enough to find and keep around. The weirdest ingredient I encountered? Liquid smoke--for his tofu jerky.
If you read Bittman regularly, much of the first half of this book won't be new to you. But if you're interested in cooking more simple vegan recipes that are unintimidating and actually taste good, the recipe section alone is worth the cover price.
July 8, 2013
For the month of June this year, I did a vegan challenge. No meat, milk, cheese, eggs, ice cream, or animal products for the whole month. When I was done, I felt awesome and had lost 6 pounds, but as a person who loves food, I had to admit that I missed the flavor you can only get from real blue cheese or the creaminess you can only get from real ice cream or just the meatiness of a real meat hot dog(even if I did enjoy the vegan alternatives to these things, I just missed the real stuff). With Mark Bittman's philosophy, you don't have to miss out on those flavors, textures, and ingredients, but still get a lot of the health benefits of a vegan diet. Basically, everyday before 6 pm, you eat a vegan diet. Then, after six(dinner time), you can have whatever you want. He says that he tries not to go crazy after 6 pm, but if you want to go out with your friends and have a bacon cheeseburger, you can. And he says that as time goes on, you'll naturally just want less non-vegan foods for dinner. He also says that when you do have meat, you make meat the side dish rather than the main event and I can for sure get behind that. He includes a meal plan and lots of recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, AND snacks, and I plan on trying the 28 day plan starting next week.
I just liked his whole philosophy. Even if you do go crazy after 6, over and over again, he says, "Tomorrow is another day." Most "diet" books don't have that mentality. I also liked how you can be flexible. If you have a breakfast date, you eat whatever you want at breakfast, then eat a vegan dinner. Have a potluck at work, same thing. It's more about balance than a straight vegan diet and I really liked that. If you're at all interested in a vegan diet or just a healthier diet in general, you should check this out. It's very well written and researched.
I just liked his whole philosophy. Even if you do go crazy after 6, over and over again, he says, "Tomorrow is another day." Most "diet" books don't have that mentality. I also liked how you can be flexible. If you have a breakfast date, you eat whatever you want at breakfast, then eat a vegan dinner. Have a potluck at work, same thing. It's more about balance than a straight vegan diet and I really liked that. If you're at all interested in a vegan diet or just a healthier diet in general, you should check this out. It's very well written and researched.
Read
October 22, 2014I really do get tired of Mark Bittman opining about food, how we eat food, taking on the government and food industry etc. I really just want him to write recipes. That is the only reason I downloaded this book. I, an avowed carnivore (who named one of my children after a beef cattle breed), never thought the word Vegan would issue forth from my mouth, nor that I would be spending my days shovelling beets, avocados and walnuts into that same mouth instead of big slabs of brie cheese or that my morning pastry would be replaced by a sad heap of granola. Still, I like the simplicity of Bittman's plan. I could do w/ eating more fruits and vegetables, and losing the middle-age tire around my middle. So this plan lets me have my cake (meat, butter, etc.) and eat it, too, as long as it's after 6. The first few weeks I did this plan I went around feeling hollow during the day. It was both good to feel "lighter" but not great to feel "hungry." A freelance writer, I rely on giving myself treats, like pastries, to make it from deadline to deadline. Still, I'm getting the hang of it if not exactly enjoying the vegan hours. I wish Bittman would stop harping about his Eggplant un-parmesan and dole out some of the other recipes as teasers! Some favorite vegan snacks I've discovered since trying this: toasted slices of ciabatta bread spread w/ a good hummus, sprinkled with olive oil, salt, pepper and either sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Then there are my beet salads: roasted beets, avocado, arugula, toasted walnuts and a little olive oil and lemon. Grilled asparagus are a nice treat, but man, would they be better with a poached egg on top. I don't do vegan on weekends or holidays, though, and I like that Bittman encourages cheating with his "anything that will get you through" loose attitude. Suggestion. Just publish a compendium of VB6 recipes and leave out the preaching. Sell it as a $3.99 kindle download.
July 6, 2013
Dr. Mark Hyman was the first person who I saw to highly endorse reading this book. The forward is endorsed by Dean Ornish.
The book is part theory & Part Mark Bittman sharing about his health transformation. For the past 6 years he has eating lifestyle has pretty much been "Eat a Vegan Diet before 6pm every day....then at dinner, He allowed himself to eat 'almost' anything he wanted".....(meats, cheese, pizza, fish, yummy dessert)>>>>enjoy eating out with friends. He lost weight, his blood work returned to normal, he felt and looked better than ever!
.....Mark had been at risk of needing to go on medication if he did not do 'something'. His doctor, (and friend), told him once he started the medication --he would be on it for life. Mark didn't really want to take the medication. His doctor told him, he could benefit from a Vegan Diet. (well, Mark, didn't want to give up meat forever either). So---Mark said --I can't be a complete Vegan ---I'd go crazy --What else could I do??
.....His doctor said, "Mark, you're a smart man, Mark, figure it out".
Mark did!!!! (NOT BAD either)!!!!!
Mark demonstrates FLEXIBILITY & Improved Health....
He follows a Vegan diet during the day -- (every day) ---
At Dinner (the most social hour for him) ---he might go out to dinner with friends, (order a steak, or pizza, maybe even order a yummy rich dessert) ---
but not 'every' night --
Mark talks about many of the GOOD EATING BASICS: EAT lots of VEGGIES & FRUITS each day...
LEARN more about all the different types of beans --
Get creative with cooking yummy veggie meals --
Eat less meat --
Eat almost NO junk fook
AND....
Eating is NOT about Perfection....
The 2 part of the book is a 'cookbook' (meatless recipes @ meat recipes).
Sweet Tooth? He has a recipe for 'Carrot Candy'!:)
The book is part theory & Part Mark Bittman sharing about his health transformation. For the past 6 years he has eating lifestyle has pretty much been "Eat a Vegan Diet before 6pm every day....then at dinner, He allowed himself to eat 'almost' anything he wanted".....(meats, cheese, pizza, fish, yummy dessert)>>>>enjoy eating out with friends. He lost weight, his blood work returned to normal, he felt and looked better than ever!
.....Mark had been at risk of needing to go on medication if he did not do 'something'. His doctor, (and friend), told him once he started the medication --he would be on it for life. Mark didn't really want to take the medication. His doctor told him, he could benefit from a Vegan Diet. (well, Mark, didn't want to give up meat forever either). So---Mark said --I can't be a complete Vegan ---I'd go crazy --What else could I do??
.....His doctor said, "Mark, you're a smart man, Mark, figure it out".
Mark did!!!! (NOT BAD either)!!!!!
Mark demonstrates FLEXIBILITY & Improved Health....
He follows a Vegan diet during the day -- (every day) ---
At Dinner (the most social hour for him) ---he might go out to dinner with friends, (order a steak, or pizza, maybe even order a yummy rich dessert) ---
but not 'every' night --
Mark talks about many of the GOOD EATING BASICS: EAT lots of VEGGIES & FRUITS each day...
LEARN more about all the different types of beans --
Get creative with cooking yummy veggie meals --
Eat less meat --
Eat almost NO junk fook
AND....
Eating is NOT about Perfection....
The 2 part of the book is a 'cookbook' (meatless recipes @ meat recipes).
Sweet Tooth? He has a recipe for 'Carrot Candy'!:)
Read
August 4, 2021VB6 - It's in there!
My husband and I started the VB6 lifestyle in September of 2011 after our doctor half-heartedly agreed to let Mark see if he could bring down his high cholesterol levels through diet and exercise. I have enjoyed home cooking and baking for the past twenty years but I still found the new foods and ingredients to be a challenge. I spent hours consulting both Food Matters books, the How to Cook Everything Vegetarian app, and my trusty Joy of Cooking and America's Test Kitchen's Perfect Vegetables. Fueled by weight loss and renewed health (many of my chronic health problems seem to stem from the residual antibiotics in animal products,) I combed blogs and tweets to learn more about plant-based nutrition. As our Meatless Mondays expanded to be nearly every day of the week and Mark's cholesterol numbers did indeed come down to the healthy range, I was asked more and more by family and friends for details. Outside of the initial Readers Digest article, it was always hard to point to one source.
And then I was blessed with an advance readers copy of "VB6." What an outstanding resource! It is ALL there - Bittman's own journey, the dangers of the SAD diet, nutritional information, pitfalls to overcome, tasty recipes, and "much, much more." I am delighted to own an ARC copy but I am downright giddy over the idea of recommending this book to inquiring friends - which happens often as a rare flexitarian in Appalachia.:-)
My husband and I started the VB6 lifestyle in September of 2011 after our doctor half-heartedly agreed to let Mark see if he could bring down his high cholesterol levels through diet and exercise. I have enjoyed home cooking and baking for the past twenty years but I still found the new foods and ingredients to be a challenge. I spent hours consulting both Food Matters books, the How to Cook Everything Vegetarian app, and my trusty Joy of Cooking and America's Test Kitchen's Perfect Vegetables. Fueled by weight loss and renewed health (many of my chronic health problems seem to stem from the residual antibiotics in animal products,) I combed blogs and tweets to learn more about plant-based nutrition. As our Meatless Mondays expanded to be nearly every day of the week and Mark's cholesterol numbers did indeed come down to the healthy range, I was asked more and more by family and friends for details. Outside of the initial Readers Digest article, it was always hard to point to one source.
And then I was blessed with an advance readers copy of "VB6." What an outstanding resource! It is ALL there - Bittman's own journey, the dangers of the SAD diet, nutritional information, pitfalls to overcome, tasty recipes, and "much, much more." I am delighted to own an ARC copy but I am downright giddy over the idea of recommending this book to inquiring friends - which happens often as a rare flexitarian in Appalachia.:-)
December 28, 2019
I came to this book on the recommendation of my new family doctor. I'd asked her about weight loss, and she insisted on heading towards a vegan diet.
VB6has an interesting approach, compared with other vegan texts. It is about a part time diet, rather than a total transformation. You follow it from waking up until 6 pm, then can return to your carnivorous and dairy-chowing ways.
Some of the book is infrastructural, advising you on mental changes, how to shop, etc. Useful stuff.
The recipes look decent so far. I've tried a half dozen, modified for local conditions. Thanks to gut problems, I can't eat anything acidic (tomatoes). I also am supposed to cut down carbs (here: bread, rice, potatoes). And we have a family member afflicted with celiac, so that means avoiding gluten (wheat etc).
On the positive side, I'm enjoying experimenting with new dishes. It's good to get back into some food I used to make: corn tortillas, red beans and rice. And I don't meet 6 pm with ferocious hunger.
On the downside... the whole thing still feels joyless and punishing at worst. I can't escape experiencing this as medicinal or constrained. I don't feel better after eating one of these meals. The best I can say is that I feel full. Does this mean I'm missing recipes that would rock my world? Perhaps.
Which is all useful for me. As a futurist, I'm curious about the idea of shifting humanity towards a vegan diet. My experience is only an n of 1, but it's experience, not theory.
VB6has an interesting approach, compared with other vegan texts. It is about a part time diet, rather than a total transformation. You follow it from waking up until 6 pm, then can return to your carnivorous and dairy-chowing ways.
Some of the book is infrastructural, advising you on mental changes, how to shop, etc. Useful stuff.
The recipes look decent so far. I've tried a half dozen, modified for local conditions. Thanks to gut problems, I can't eat anything acidic (tomatoes). I also am supposed to cut down carbs (here: bread, rice, potatoes). And we have a family member afflicted with celiac, so that means avoiding gluten (wheat etc).
On the positive side, I'm enjoying experimenting with new dishes. It's good to get back into some food I used to make: corn tortillas, red beans and rice. And I don't meet 6 pm with ferocious hunger.
On the downside... the whole thing still feels joyless and punishing at worst. I can't escape experiencing this as medicinal or constrained. I don't feel better after eating one of these meals. The best I can say is that I feel full. Does this mean I'm missing recipes that would rock my world? Perhaps.
Which is all useful for me. As a futurist, I'm curious about the idea of shifting humanity towards a vegan diet. My experience is only an n of 1, but it's experience, not theory.
June 19, 2013
If you are new to healthy eating, Bittman's book is an excellent place to start. He breaks down the numbers and the chemistry but never overwhelms, and his voice is dependably resonant with common sense. He knows his stuff but also knows what is reasonable and that humans enjoy eating, so the VB6 philosophy doesn't tell you to become a slave to stats or never ever eat dessert again. What he is encouraging is an attainable shift towards a healthier lifestyle, meant to be a longterm change for the better.
Personally, I didn't learn many new things -- if you are already a healthy eater, this may be incredibly familiar territory. But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the read -- Bittman's explanations of aspect of this lifestyle are often incredibly well phrased and it's nice to have great quotes. The book also makes a nice reference tool for debunking some common food myths, and there are easy recipes in the back. All in all, I'm glad this book exists.
Personally, I didn't learn many new things -- if you are already a healthy eater, this may be incredibly familiar territory. But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the read -- Bittman's explanations of aspect of this lifestyle are often incredibly well phrased and it's nice to have great quotes. The book also makes a nice reference tool for debunking some common food myths, and there are easy recipes in the back. All in all, I'm glad this book exists.
May 20, 2013
I know Mark Bittman and Michael Pollan aren't the same person, but their work is so complementary that I often consider them together. Bittman's latest book reads like a full, expository treatment of Pollan's mantra to "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants" first outlined in his 2007 NYT essay, "Unhappy Meals" (http://michaelpollan.com/articles-arc...). Never mind that Pollan wrote a book that expanded on his essay in 2008 (In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto) - I actually found that book a bit thin and unsatisfactory. ButVB6?I'm inspired!
The basic premise, with which you're undoubtedly familiar if you're plugged into mass media at all (or even read the full title of the book!), is that you consume a vegan diet before 6 pm (or so) and then anything is free game... but you're encouraged to make healthy choices. Bittman presents starkly convincing evidence for the superiority of a heavily plant-based diet that is very low in processed foods. One thing I like about this approach is that you can eat a LOT of whole foods and actually feel full and satisfied. I absolutely hate feeling hungry or shaky from low blood sugar, and I encounter that feeling a lot when I try to monitor my food intake.
Bittman also celebrates the art of home cooking - but not in a fancy pants cooking show kind of way. He just acknowledges that you'll need to cook foods at home if you're going to avoid processed foods, and it's not that hard to do if you line up your pantry/refrigerator well and have a simple repertoire of food preparation techniques. My home cooking has been evolving my entire adult life and I was kind of headed in this direction, anyway. My children appreciate simpler flavor profiles, for the most part, and they like many of their foods to be separate rather than mixed together in one delicious, complex-flavored dish. It's a good bet to prepare a couple of vegetables simply, and a fruit, and throw in some grains and protein at dinnertime. I'll just increase the veg options even more.
I also feel like I've made a tofu cooking breakthrough and - wonder of wonders - one of my children likes it, too - so we'll be incorporating a lot more of that as a healthy, delicious protein. (If you're looking for a yummy but simple recipe, try Spicy Korean Tofu with Pear Slaw:http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe....)
Any book that gets people excited about consuming more whole plant foods is a winner in my book. Thanks, Mark Bittman, for being an articulate, Everyman cheerleader for just that.
The basic premise, with which you're undoubtedly familiar if you're plugged into mass media at all (or even read the full title of the book!), is that you consume a vegan diet before 6 pm (or so) and then anything is free game... but you're encouraged to make healthy choices. Bittman presents starkly convincing evidence for the superiority of a heavily plant-based diet that is very low in processed foods. One thing I like about this approach is that you can eat a LOT of whole foods and actually feel full and satisfied. I absolutely hate feeling hungry or shaky from low blood sugar, and I encounter that feeling a lot when I try to monitor my food intake.
Bittman also celebrates the art of home cooking - but not in a fancy pants cooking show kind of way. He just acknowledges that you'll need to cook foods at home if you're going to avoid processed foods, and it's not that hard to do if you line up your pantry/refrigerator well and have a simple repertoire of food preparation techniques. My home cooking has been evolving my entire adult life and I was kind of headed in this direction, anyway. My children appreciate simpler flavor profiles, for the most part, and they like many of their foods to be separate rather than mixed together in one delicious, complex-flavored dish. It's a good bet to prepare a couple of vegetables simply, and a fruit, and throw in some grains and protein at dinnertime. I'll just increase the veg options even more.
I also feel like I've made a tofu cooking breakthrough and - wonder of wonders - one of my children likes it, too - so we'll be incorporating a lot more of that as a healthy, delicious protein. (If you're looking for a yummy but simple recipe, try Spicy Korean Tofu with Pear Slaw:http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe....)
Any book that gets people excited about consuming more whole plant foods is a winner in my book. Thanks, Mark Bittman, for being an articulate, Everyman cheerleader for just that.
February 6, 2015
I don't believe in "diets." A highly lucrative industry profits from, and has every incentive to prolong, people's unsound eating habits and their repeated, but doomed, efforts to change them. The fact that we now use the word almost exclusively to mean "a short-term, often faddish and generally unsustainable, change to one's eating habits" is indicative of the problem. "Diet" simply means "how we eat" or our food lifestyle (its Greek root means "manner of living" ). So many people would be better off if they would just change their mindset--how you eat is a way of life. By thinking of "diets" as short-term corrections, they're bound to fail at producing lasting effects. And althoughthere's little evidence that "weight cycling" decreases your lifespan,the constant yo-yo-ing is hard on your mental health (and probably your wallet, too).
So, what's the solution? Some common sense would help, and that's what I like about Bittman's book. The publishers seem to have made him pitch this to the dieting industry, so he gives you a VB6 "plan" with associated recipes. But at its heart, Bittman says something I've always believed: if you eat real food--not hyperprocessed junk and convenience foods--and spend time preparing and cooking it yourself, you will have better health and a healthier relationship with food. Even if you didn't eat mostly vegetarian or vegan, I believe this would still go an enormous way toward improving the health of most Americans. But majorly reducing (or eliminating) your intake of meat and animal products would improve things still further. Another important point that he could have stressed more is that people need to stop thinking of food in reductivist terms--potatoes and bananas are not just "carbs", and avocados are not a "fat." All foods are package deals; and real fruits, vegetables, and whole grains come with a bounty of vitamins, nutrients, fiber and other benefits that defy the dieting stereotypes.
My favorite thing about this book was that it gave me that last little push I needed to reduce my meat and dairy intake while ramping up my consumption of fruits and vegetables; you just can't overdo it with these, and there is such a wonderful diversity in the delicious fruits and vegetables we have access to. I'm looking forward to a lifetime of delicious discoveries.
So, what's the solution? Some common sense would help, and that's what I like about Bittman's book. The publishers seem to have made him pitch this to the dieting industry, so he gives you a VB6 "plan" with associated recipes. But at its heart, Bittman says something I've always believed: if you eat real food--not hyperprocessed junk and convenience foods--and spend time preparing and cooking it yourself, you will have better health and a healthier relationship with food. Even if you didn't eat mostly vegetarian or vegan, I believe this would still go an enormous way toward improving the health of most Americans. But majorly reducing (or eliminating) your intake of meat and animal products would improve things still further. Another important point that he could have stressed more is that people need to stop thinking of food in reductivist terms--potatoes and bananas are not just "carbs", and avocados are not a "fat." All foods are package deals; and real fruits, vegetables, and whole grains come with a bounty of vitamins, nutrients, fiber and other benefits that defy the dieting stereotypes.
My favorite thing about this book was that it gave me that last little push I needed to reduce my meat and dairy intake while ramping up my consumption of fruits and vegetables; you just can't overdo it with these, and there is such a wonderful diversity in the delicious fruits and vegetables we have access to. I'm looking forward to a lifetime of delicious discoveries.
June 2, 2015
I just borrowed from the library
VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 to Lose Weight and Restore Your Health... for GoodbyMark Bittman.(It was just recently published, I'm the third one to read it here.)
Mark Bittman is a well known food writer. When he turned 57, he went for a checkup and the doctor, Sid Baker, said,“You should probably become a vegan.”
He was 40 lbs. overweight, had knee issues, sleep apnea and was looking at taking a drug like Lipitor. So his answer to this was --"become a part-time vegan."
Bitterman stated"From the time I woke up in the morning until 6 in the evening, I’d eat a super-strict vegan diet, with no animal products at all until 6 pm. At 6 p.m., I’d become a free man, allowing myself to eat whatever I wanted, usually—but not always—in moderation. Some nights, this meant a steak dinner; some nights, it was a blow-out meal at a good restaurant; other nights, dinner was a tunafish sandwich followed by some cookies. I called the diet or VB6. And it worked."
His results -
* cholesterol and my blood sugar levels were down in the normal range (my cholesterol from 240 to 180)
* sleep apnea -gone; for the 1st time in 30 years, he was sleeping through the night, not even snoring
* in four months, lost more than 35 pounds and was below 180 (less than he weighed in 30 yrs.)
*** the way he ate during the day began to change the way he ate at night
It was a quick read, I'm checking out the recipes. I think this book is directed at men who love their steaks, which is my husband. So hopefully, he will read this book.
VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 to Lose Weight and Restore Your Health... for GoodbyMark Bittman.(It was just recently published, I'm the third one to read it here.)Mark Bittman is a well known food writer. When he turned 57, he went for a checkup and the doctor, Sid Baker, said,“You should probably become a vegan.”
He was 40 lbs. overweight, had knee issues, sleep apnea and was looking at taking a drug like Lipitor. So his answer to this was --"become a part-time vegan."
Bitterman stated"From the time I woke up in the morning until 6 in the evening, I’d eat a super-strict vegan diet, with no animal products at all until 6 pm. At 6 p.m., I’d become a free man, allowing myself to eat whatever I wanted, usually—but not always—in moderation. Some nights, this meant a steak dinner; some nights, it was a blow-out meal at a good restaurant; other nights, dinner was a tunafish sandwich followed by some cookies. I called the diet or VB6. And it worked."
His results -
* cholesterol and my blood sugar levels were down in the normal range (my cholesterol from 240 to 180)
* sleep apnea -gone; for the 1st time in 30 years, he was sleeping through the night, not even snoring
* in four months, lost more than 35 pounds and was below 180 (less than he weighed in 30 yrs.)
*** the way he ate during the day began to change the way he ate at night
It was a quick read, I'm checking out the recipes. I think this book is directed at men who love their steaks, which is my husband. So hopefully, he will read this book.
July 14, 2013
I enjoyed this book quite a bit and came away from it feeling positive and that the task ahead could be accomplished.
I do enjoy Bittman's books and writing. I find that I can relate to his own experience in many ways but also feel that he doesn't have an agenda to force a specific lifestyle on me. He presents the information and, for the most part, leaves me to make my own decisions.
In reading some of the less supportive comments, I have to say that it is my opinion that these people have missed the mark.
Some comments discuss how they don't understand how someone can be vegan only part of the time and that there is a lot of better information out there regarding veganism. I'm sure there is.
Frankly, I have no desire to be a vegan. Bittman's point is to eat more whole foods, less meat, and more plants. I recognize that this is a good idea. However,it wasn't meant to be a book on being vegan. It seems silly to give a book a poor rating for comparing it to something that it wasn't supposed to be.
Another comment that I disagree with was with respect to only eating vegan before 6. Again, if the person actually read the book, they would have noted that Bittman was clearly describing a program that worked for him and that flexibility and customization was easily incorporated. If you wanted meat for lunch, try switching the vegan meal to supper. His whole point was to experiment, learn what works, and eat more plants and less animal product.
In any event, I found that the information provided was exactly what I was looking for. I'm not looking for nutrition research reports, long discussions on chemical additives, or what antibiotics do. I found Bittman to be to the point, interesting without losing my attention on being too technical, and encouraging by 'changing' diet rather than 'going' on a diet.
I do enjoy Bittman's books and writing. I find that I can relate to his own experience in many ways but also feel that he doesn't have an agenda to force a specific lifestyle on me. He presents the information and, for the most part, leaves me to make my own decisions.
In reading some of the less supportive comments, I have to say that it is my opinion that these people have missed the mark.
Some comments discuss how they don't understand how someone can be vegan only part of the time and that there is a lot of better information out there regarding veganism. I'm sure there is.
Frankly, I have no desire to be a vegan. Bittman's point is to eat more whole foods, less meat, and more plants. I recognize that this is a good idea. However,it wasn't meant to be a book on being vegan. It seems silly to give a book a poor rating for comparing it to something that it wasn't supposed to be.
Another comment that I disagree with was with respect to only eating vegan before 6. Again, if the person actually read the book, they would have noted that Bittman was clearly describing a program that worked for him and that flexibility and customization was easily incorporated. If you wanted meat for lunch, try switching the vegan meal to supper. His whole point was to experiment, learn what works, and eat more plants and less animal product.
In any event, I found that the information provided was exactly what I was looking for. I'm not looking for nutrition research reports, long discussions on chemical additives, or what antibiotics do. I found Bittman to be to the point, interesting without losing my attention on being too technical, and encouraging by 'changing' diet rather than 'going' on a diet.
September 16, 2013
I'm not really the audience for this - it's geared more towards heavy meat eaters who are trying to cut down - but I always enjoy Mark Bittman's writing and recipes. I don't really read diet books, but I suspect this is pretty loose and forgiving compared to most. There is nothing that he absolutely says to never eat because he realizes we are all human and have our weaknesses, though he makes it pretty clear which foods he thinks we should avoid as much as possible. It contains a decent amount of nutritional information which I don't understand (because science) but it's probably good that he included it. My full review ishere.
Shelved as 'to-finish-later'
September 13, 2013As a “mostly vegetarian” who has no intention of basing my food consumption on the time on the clock, I don’t particularly like the title of this book. But before starting to read, I skimmed through, and it looks like a book with good tips that align with my opinion of what healthy eating should look like. I also don’t like the “lose weight” part of the title….adopt healthy habits and the rest will come. But our country is obsessed with losing weight and looking good and if that makes people look at this book, so be it.
August 30, 2013
Meh. While it has shining moments of the politically-motivated writing on food and eating that I prefer, VB6 really does seem more and more like a diet book with every page. Likely very useful and inspiring if the subject matter is new to you, but I didn't glean any new insight personally. Abandon ship.
November 4, 2018
Perfect plan for someone like me, whose family won’t do without their meat. I’ve always wanted to go vegan, and thought I really couldn’t, but with this plan I can be vegan (which is the healthiest way of eating) during the day, when only cooking for myself, but everything goes for suppers, when cooking for the family. And Mark Bittman means it when he says anything goes, because this book is meant for making a lifestyle change, and trying to ban something permanently from one’s life almost never works. One tends to rebel and not make the change!
Here’s how this lifestyle works for someone like me, a “Family Gal”, although Bittman describes many approaches different people can take when using this book (the All-American, who eats lots of fast food and junk food; the Restaurant Regular; the Grazer; the Athlete). But here’s the Family Gal (or Guy):
Now I’m off to get a couple of ingredients (I don’t need to get much, as my larder is full of most of what I need), and ready to begin a positive change in my life!
Here’s how this lifestyle works for someone like me, a “Family Gal”, although Bittman describes many approaches different people can take when using this book (the All-American, who eats lots of fast food and junk food; the Restaurant Regular; the Grazer; the Athlete). But here’s the Family Gal (or Guy):
You’ve got other mouths to feed besides your own, and their needs or preferences may come first. You usually cook at home — a lot of chicken, simply cooked meat, cheesy casseroles, simple vegetables and salads. There are usually potatoes, bread, or noodles on the table, but meat is always the centerpiece of the meal.
Your Advantages
You’re already cooking, which is great. This means you have the power to change the way your family and loved ones eat, while helping everyone around the table eat better.
Your Challenges
Your people need to eat, and they won’t eat what they don’t like, so you can’t rock their world so hard that they mutiny and boycott dinner.
Now I’m off to get a couple of ingredients (I don’t need to get much, as my larder is full of most of what I need), and ready to begin a positive change in my life!
May 18, 2013
I started reading the newest release from Mark Bittman (the legendary New York Times food writer I’ve admired for years) not because I was necessarily wanting to lose weight but because I felt pulled in by Bittman’s personal story about how this method of eating was so beneficial to his lifelong health. I have high cholesterol (darn genetics!) and I’ve been interested in how food can help me control my blood work, so I’ve been really fascinated by this book and find myself truly enjoying the recipes I’ve tried so far (Mark’s homemade cereal is my new favorite start to the morning!) I’m not totally vegan before 6, but I’m making small strides toward adding more healthy food to my plate, including more vegetarian dishes come dinner time. Small steps go a long way in this area of life, don’t forget that (words typed by a former Diet Coke junkie!)
Would I Recommend? It may not be for everyone, but for anyone who’s been making healthy changes in their life, enjoys cooking and incorporating real food into their life (news flash—a daily soda isn’t really allowed with this way of eating) and is interested in reaping the benefits of feeling better and having more energy, then yeah, pick it up. It’s eye-opening (Bittman doesn’t skip on facts about this nation’s poor health habits) but encouraging (this isn’t a diet but instead a way to eat for life) at the same time.
Would I Recommend? It may not be for everyone, but for anyone who’s been making healthy changes in their life, enjoys cooking and incorporating real food into their life (news flash—a daily soda isn’t really allowed with this way of eating) and is interested in reaping the benefits of feeling better and having more energy, then yeah, pick it up. It’s eye-opening (Bittman doesn’t skip on facts about this nation’s poor health habits) but encouraging (this isn’t a diet but instead a way to eat for life) at the same time.
October 15, 2013
I am a long-time Mark Bittman fan. I read his recipes and columns in the NY Times, and have bought many of his cookbooks. I have especially enjoyed the shift he's taken in recent years from simply writing about food to writing about larger food issues, such as sustainability, health and hunger (and the connection between the three). The evolution in Mr. Bittman's diet and the development of the VB6 (Vegan Before 6) eating plan is the natural progression from his interest big pictures issues. I share many of Mr. Bittman's views, and have definitely changed what and how I and my family eat, but despite liking the idea conceptually and eating less meat overall, had not taken the leap into vegetarianism. VB6 is a great concept and a manageable way for people to eat dramatically healthier without a "cold turkey" departure from favorite foods and a huge impact on social eating. VB6 definitely inspired me to make a change, but I didn't completely adapt his program. I do feel better, and as he suggests, as time goes on, I miss the things I am no longer eating less and less.
Read
December 14, 2021I think it was Natalie Portman in a Wired Autocomplete interview who recommended this book, and since I have been contemplating the possibility of becoming a vegetarian for a while now, I decided to give it a go and perhaps get that final push.
VB6 is a perfectly good book if you have no clue at all how or why you should start leading a much healthier lifestyle, with fewer fats and meats, and more veggies and legumes. It will be especially useful for readers from the US since all the data and government discussions are US-focused.
For the record, that's all well and good, but since I'm already considering becoming a vegetarian and I know by heart the reasons behind that since I've been reading articles and learning about climate change for some time now AND I'm not US-based and lead a Mediterranean diet, this sadly didn't do much for me, so I decided to do the sensible thing and not rate it, since I don't consider it a bad book by any means.
VB6 is a perfectly good book if you have no clue at all how or why you should start leading a much healthier lifestyle, with fewer fats and meats, and more veggies and legumes. It will be especially useful for readers from the US since all the data and government discussions are US-focused.
For the record, that's all well and good, but since I'm already considering becoming a vegetarian and I know by heart the reasons behind that since I've been reading articles and learning about climate change for some time now AND I'm not US-based and lead a Mediterranean diet, this sadly didn't do much for me, so I decided to do the sensible thing and not rate it, since I don't consider it a bad book by any means.
May 7, 2013
As a vegan 24/7 this book did not convince me to change my diet by much, but it has a lot of good tips and practical advice, some of which will be incorporated into our daily habits. This is a book that I would want to give to all of my non-vegan friends, if I knew they would actually read it. It makes a good case for eating a more plant-based diet and that doing so can be painless and even tasty! I think this book would appeal to those looking to improve their diet - they know they have to do SOMETHING - but "going vegan" is too drastic or too hippy or not manly enough.... whatever. This book will at least nudge them to a healthier way of eating.
May 1, 2013
Of course, I'm the choir that Bittman usually preaches to--concerned about industrial agriculture, a vegetarian who is practical and not fussy, tries to eat locally/seasonally/organically when I can, and who likes to cook. I liked this book, though I skimmed most of the science about metabolism and sugar etc. I was more interested in the basics of VB6, looking for a way to make my vegetarianism less reliant on processed food and more whole. This book definitely has me inspired, as did Food Matters. I just needed another reminder.
July 18, 2019
Mark Bittman is best known for his cookbooks and as a NY Times food writer. Years of heavy eating and following the American diet caught up with him, and he found himself facing health issues. After reading lots about vegan diets, and the environmental concerns with meat and dairy industry, his take on veganism really resonated with me. Studies are saying that eating meat and dairy has a more negative impact than driving your car. His advice is to eat mainly vegan, try for all day before 6 PM, and then eat a sensible dinner. He's flexible and forgiving, but argues that by adopting a plant-based diet at least 2/3 of the time, you'll lose weight, and have less health issues related to diet. The bonus in reducing your meat and dairy consumption, is reducing your overall environmental impact on the planet. Happy to report I've been trying the 2/3 change to veganism, and have been successful for almost 2 months.
November 19, 2018
Great concept
I love the concept of this book. It encourages clean eating without the feeling of deprivation. After 6, or 5 or 7... depending on your schedule, you eat what you want. I have not tried the recipes yet but they do look good. I will revisit this book in a few weeks and give it a try. I will update with my assessment of the eating plan.
I love the concept of this book. It encourages clean eating without the feeling of deprivation. After 6, or 5 or 7... depending on your schedule, you eat what you want. I have not tried the recipes yet but they do look good. I will revisit this book in a few weeks and give it a try. I will update with my assessment of the eating plan.
Read
December 31, 2022I have never liked Mark Bittman’s tone but have enjoyed his simple to follow recipes since he was a regular contributor to The New York Times. I don’t follow the Vegan before six method (tried it and it wasn’t for me) but I appreciate the vegan recipes for breakfast and lunch so I can give myself a break on occasion.
October 24, 2023
4 stars for a novel approach to health. This author proposes that if we could be vegan before 6pm (supper time), we could all greatly improve our health. He goes on to give biological explanations, world impacts, and instructions on how to achieve the goal. After that, the recipes. I definitely copied some of those.
May 29, 2019
I appreciate this philosophy, and as always, I like Mark Bittman. I feel like he's preaching to the choir here. I need to get more variety in my veggie life, so that's my takeaway here!
December 21, 2014
Such a weird book, that begins as basically a we now know eating vegan can be the best for your body because we're marketed to keep consuming hyper-processed foods, the environmental impacts of eating meat are tremendous and the moral issues when you choose to support factory farms (the go vegan trifecta I see everywhere) that's later filled with non-vegan recipes for those transitioning and lots of excursions into non-straightforward approaches about what and how to eat eg we're not counting calories here but let's talk about calories. Too many discussions like this, too many confusing messages.
Definitely the most diet forgiving lenient "we're just human" book I've seen. And that's too bad as the eating approach I think he is encouraging after weeding out all the talk of it's ok if sometimes you eat [any non-vegan food, any non-whole grain, any processed food, overeat] is a plan for improved health - preventing disease and turning around the effects of diseases that have already manifested - a good combination of the Mediterranean diet with lots of fruits/veggies, very little sugar (low glycemic), very little processed foods, some anti-inflammatory talk, eating for nutrition + flavor of whole foods.
I'd be very hesitant to recommend to those who want to make drastic changes because it keeps bringing up transitioning, and offering suggestions for compensating later in the day if you eat white carbs or bacon and eggs earlier in the day. While I get that it's a lifelong plan and vegans are only such a small % of the population and I hardly expect to see people flocking towards veganism and remaining vegans, and consciously doing something part time is way better than continuing a SAD diet, I see any kind of wake up call falling short.
Definitely the most diet forgiving lenient "we're just human" book I've seen. And that's too bad as the eating approach I think he is encouraging after weeding out all the talk of it's ok if sometimes you eat [any non-vegan food, any non-whole grain, any processed food, overeat] is a plan for improved health - preventing disease and turning around the effects of diseases that have already manifested - a good combination of the Mediterranean diet with lots of fruits/veggies, very little sugar (low glycemic), very little processed foods, some anti-inflammatory talk, eating for nutrition + flavor of whole foods.
I'd be very hesitant to recommend to those who want to make drastic changes because it keeps bringing up transitioning, and offering suggestions for compensating later in the day if you eat white carbs or bacon and eggs earlier in the day. While I get that it's a lifelong plan and vegans are only such a small % of the population and I hardly expect to see people flocking towards veganism and remaining vegans, and consciously doing something part time is way better than continuing a SAD diet, I see any kind of wake up call falling short.
December 27, 2013
Really comprehensive Bible for the vegan-before-dinner lifestyle. I especially love the info dump at the beginning with discussion of glycemic index, calorie density, and other terms you hear but never quite understand. There are tons of charts, sidebars, and visual break-up so you don't get bored reading about this lifestyle. It's, in a word, smart.
This is my second year of vb6 and I stand behind Bittman's claims about its benefits. I find I crave junk food less, and my body feels healthier overall.
My only complaint is that Bittman doesn't discuss why vegan, and not vegetarian, was his choice. Cutting out meat and emphasizing legumes could be easily accomplished as a vegetarian, too. I think his reasoning is that dairy foods are usually high-fat and/or tough on digestion, but he doesn't discuss that as far as I can see.
But that's a minor complaint. I can't say enough good about vb6. It's an intelligent way to eat. It allows you to indulge in anything you want, but understanding the balance your diet has to maintain. It's cheaper, and it's better for the body on so many levels. I'm so glad Bittman's presented it this way. And if you know anything about Bittman you know his recipes are easy and intuitive. I really admire him and what he's managed to accomplish.
This is my second year of vb6 and I stand behind Bittman's claims about its benefits. I find I crave junk food less, and my body feels healthier overall.
My only complaint is that Bittman doesn't discuss why vegan, and not vegetarian, was his choice. Cutting out meat and emphasizing legumes could be easily accomplished as a vegetarian, too. I think his reasoning is that dairy foods are usually high-fat and/or tough on digestion, but he doesn't discuss that as far as I can see.
But that's a minor complaint. I can't say enough good about vb6. It's an intelligent way to eat. It allows you to indulge in anything you want, but understanding the balance your diet has to maintain. It's cheaper, and it's better for the body on so many levels. I'm so glad Bittman's presented it this way. And if you know anything about Bittman you know his recipes are easy and intuitive. I really admire him and what he's managed to accomplish.
June 12, 2013
I have one of Mark Bittman's cookbooks that I use sometimes - its very big and a bit daunting at times. I was eager to check this book out. I'm a *long* time vegetarian and vegan for a few years now. To me, I don't understand the concept of 'eat vegan before six' as a diet plan and way to loose weight. Yes, you are limiting two meals a day to healthier eating but you still have dinner. I think its a food lifestyle change that you must make to help with weight loss but overall better health benefits. You need to consider what you eat on a daily basis and the types of food that you eat. He has some good information but ultimately I found the book just OK. There are numerous other books out there on veganism and healthy eating that I think are great and provide so much more detailed information.
May 6, 2013
I love Mark Bittman's column in the NY Times and enjoy his online videos enormously. His introduction of this book thru his regular newspaper column made me enormously curious and eager to read it. I was not disappointed. As another reader whose family needs to turn around their blood work and lifestyle, I have embraced his suggestions wholeheartedly. As usual, his recipes and food combinations are fantastic. Everything he describes is easy to understand and implement/cook. This is just a great book and life-altering. I have increasingly embraced moving towards a vegan diet and this solution, even based on a time of the day, is a great solution. This book is a welcome addition to my library and knowledge base as a cook.
March 14, 2016
quite good - I liked it because it didn't over explain. the concept is simple - eat vegan (including avoiding processed food) before 6pm- after you eat what yo want. It works for Mark Bittman, because he is a food writer- and he isn't going to give up on eating well. I am not going to do it, mostly because it would be difficult in the am. However, it has me thinking about how I wish to change my eating habit. Still looking through the recipes- but I am finding some of them interesting
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