People need flexibility when deciding to make the switch to a 90% or More Plant-Based Nutrient
Rich® healthy eating style. There are times when we just can't get our ideal preferences met, or
need to eat some foods for other non-nutritional reasons, including religious and social situations,
which require flexibility. (However, this will happen less and less over time as you set your
preferences in the world. )
In addition, you may lean on the 10% wiggle room for non-nutrient-rich foods more as you begin
your nutrition transition.
Once you’re committed to a healthy eating style, are enjoying all of the health benefits and success
results, and are appreciating all the unlimited great-tasting foods, meals and menus, you probably
won’t be driven to ingest nutrient-poor calories even 10% of the time.
You will start to notice that your body functions better when you eat this way and that it won’t
tolerate nutrient-poor foods like it used to. This natural governor will work in your favor. Often
people think healthy eating is about discipline, when in fact it’s really practical pain avoidance. No
one wants to feel sick after they eat. Nutrient-poor foods make you feel and become sick, and you
especially notice this by contrast once your body is detoxified and healthy.
While we think it’s great that some people go 100% plant-based (vegan), we acknowledge this 10%
also because we know that primates are not naturally vegetarian- or vegan-only eaters.^54
According to Joel Fuhrman, M.D., a leading physician in this field of high nutrient density eating,
there is no evidence to suggest that people eating small amount of protein from animal foods will
have their lives cut shorter than someone who is 100% vegan—assuming they are otherwise eating
a plant-based nutrient-rich diet. (He acknowledges that what’s ideal, however, “may be even 5% or
less.”^55 )
Inclusive, Not Divisive
One of the side benefits of eating nutrient rich is that it’s a common-language term, which makes
communicating the way you eat much easier. People know the difference between rich and poor,
and most think “rich” is better.
It also does not draw attention to whether you eat meat or not, as this is a very charged issue and
can make many people behave very defensively, given that the average person gets approximately
25% or more of total calorie intake from animal products. Even if you have vegan values, it helps to
influence people with inclusion, not exclusion, with a more integral approach and one that
(^54) McArdle J. Humans are Omnivores. The Vegetarian Resource Group. Aug 30, 2000.
(^55) Fuhrman J. Eat to Live. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company; 2003.