The Best Vegan Books To Make
Your Journey Easy and Fun

Check out my picks for the Best Vegan Books out there, hand-picked just for you. Discover the best vegan cookbooks, best vegan nutrition books, and best books on veganism.

Being vegan since 1994, I've read and reviewed many vegan books. The collection below are my favorites, and I hope they help to increase your knowledge of veganism and make your learning curve easier. :)

Be sure to check back occasionally - I'm always reading and will consistently add more books to this page.

Sassy's Current Top Pick "Best of the Best" Vegan Cookbooks: Vegan Deli: Wholesome Ethnic Fast Food If you have spent any time here at VeganCoach.com, you know I'm a fan of cooking with whole foods. Oh, and I adore Joanne Stepaniak and everything she touches. She is amazing, innovative, and I become so inspired by the things she can whip up using a base of whole foods. If I had just 1/10th her creativity -- OY! My family hails from New York originally, and this is where I came to love delicatessens. Deli food just conjures up happy, cozy memories. So I am completely thrilled to own (and share!) Joanne's Vegan Deli, which showcases EASY TO MAKE ethnic deli salads, soups, dressings, and even pickled foods. YUM! Here are some of my faves from this fun vegan cookbook... Pickled Beets Chick Pea "Tuna" Salad Baba Ghanoush Potato Kugel

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We each have our very own unique "Why I went Vegan" story. Mine unfolded in a way that's probably similar to many others. And I thought it might be fun to share with you the best vegan books I have come across thus far in my life as a Vegan.

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Diet for a New America: How Your Food Choices Affect Your Health, Happiness, and the Future of Life on Earth
John Robbins






Shortly after hubby Jeff and I met, he decided to just drop meat, chicken and fish out of his diet completely. We had many long talks about this decision, which prompted me to read this book for myself to see what conclusion I might come to.

This was the very first book I read that had anything to do with vegetarianism (as I'm sure is the same for many, many Veggies out there.) It really opened my eyes to the impact our diets have on our bodies and the planet. Diet For A New America is considered to be one of the most important books to the vegetarian/vegan movement -- a must read!

What really struck me about this book was the descriptions of the horrendous, inhumane and unhealthy living conditions of the animals we raise for food. I remember being moved to tears! And it was then and there I decided to "Just Say No" to eating meat. At this point, skipping the eggs and dairy also was just a little too much for me to handle.

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But within a few months, I found myself cutting out the eggs. That was fairly easy. The dairy was a little more difficult.

But what was insanely tough for me was cutting out the CHEESE! I grew up in an Italian household, and we loved us our cheese! I added cheese to just about everything I ate; salads, soups, sandwiches, even apple pie! In fact, I remember the day I decided to "quit cheese cold turkey" - Jeff and I stood hovering over our kitchen garbage with cheese in hand and together we made it a grand affair: "Goodbye Cheese!"

Now, since I was a HORRENDOUS cook, and had absolutely no idea what I was doing in the kitchen, our diet consisted of mostly salads, pasta and sub sandwiches that were FILLED with raw veggies. This is when I discovered the power of vegan foods to lose weight. Within a very short time I shed 15-20 pounds! These pounds just melted off so quickly and easily, it was nearly miraculous.

The Uncheese Cookbook: Creating Amazing Dairy-Free Cheese Substitutes and Classic "Uncheese" Dishes
Joanne Stepaniak




But did I miss my cheese? HELL, YES! (Processed vegan cheeses hadn't REALLY begun to hit the stores yet, so those weren't an option.)

One day, when perusing the books in our little organic co-op, I came across what turned out to be my very first vegan cookbook. And after not eating any cheese for months, it was SO refreshing to be able to create vegan cheeses, vegan cheese sauces and vegan cheesy meals without one single speck of animal products. Wow, what a gift to the world this book is! Thank you Joanne Stepaniak! You RAWK!!

This is one of the best vegan books if you'd like to learn to create your very own, unprocessed non-dairy cheese.

This book taught me how to make some of my favorite vegan "un-cheese" sauces that I play around with to this day, including:

• Smoky Mozzarella
• Colby
• Mornay Sauce
• and one of my all-time favoritest soups: Farmhouse Cheddar and Yam Soup

** I should mention that after over 10 years of using this book, and after all my pages were tattered and torn and smeared with food drips, I finally broke down and purchased the 10th Anniversary Edition of The Uncheese Cookbook. Of course, the Anniversary Edition is a work of art too.

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The Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook: Delicious Dairy-Free Cheeses and Classic "Uncheese" Dishes
Joanne Stepaniak





What makes this Anniversary Edition of her original Uncheese Cookbook so special is that Joanne has MANY options for making each recipe; these include flavoring options, gluten-free options, and handy little lists that tell you which of the more popular allergens are NOT contained within any specific recipe (i.e. Free Of: Gluten, Soy, Nuts, Corn).

Leave it to Joanne Stepaniak to change right along with the times! GO JOANNE!

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Now that my veganism was underway, and since there weren't any restaurants in our area that catered to Vegans, I needed to learn how to cook. And FAST. So I went out and purchased as many vegan cookbooks as I could.

MANY of the recipes I created over the years were disgusting. I was VERY picky and gave a lot of books away as I tried to find those vegan cookbooks that catered to my taste buds -- wholesome, rich-tasting and guest-worthy. And over the years my vegan cookbook collection grew.

Here are some more favorites to add to my list of what I feel are the best vegan books...

Veggie Lovers Cook Book
Morty Star









This is one of my oldest and most favoritest vegan cookbooks. It's small, but it's packed with some of the best easy vegan recipes I've had the pleasure of making and which I still lovingly create.

This is one of the best vegan books if you'd like to learn some slightly basic yet completely tasty dishes, such as...

• Swiss Chard Rolls
• Rice-Millet Loaf
• Broccoli Cream Soup
• Candied Carrots

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May All Be Fed: Diet For A New World
John Robbins







Since John Robbins was basically my idol at this point, I purchased another book he authored. This book helped to shed light on how an animal-based diet contributes to the starvation of so many people around the world. Wow, what an eye-opener. But that's only 1/2 the book. The other half? RECIPES. Some of the most delectable recipes I had ever made at the time.

This is one of the best vegan books if you'd like to learn how flavorful vegan meals can be using almost ALL whole foods and nearly zero processed or packaged foods. Some of my standout faves include...

• Spinach Tofu Quiche
• Enchiladas Supremas
• Spinach Lasagna
• Yellow Pepper Soup
• Homemade Pizza Crusts

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The Tempeh Cookbook
Dorothy R. Bates









I had been using a lot of tofu, and was having fun with it. But it was right around this time that I discovered Tempeh, and I'm so very happy I did. Tempeh has its own distinct, slightly-nutty flavor. It's PACKED with nutrients and is a fantastic source of protein in a vegan diet. Plus, since it's fermented it's healthier for you than plain ol' tofu. I've heard it could be an acquired taste, but Jeff and I latched onto it immediately. And luckily, I found a fabulous little book full of tasty tempeh recipes.

This is one of the best vegan books if you'd like to understand how many dishes tempeh can be used in, like some of my favorites...

• Hot German Potato Salad
• Walnut Tempeh Balls
• Tempeh Loaf (one of my highest-rated dishes by clients!)
• Sausage Patties
• Sauerbraten

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The Millennium Cookbook: Extraordinary Vegetarian Cuisine
Eric Tucker






It was around this time that we discovered the infamous 5-star Vegan Millennium Restaurant. If you've never had 5-star vegan food, this is the place to put on your list. Of course, it will take a little trip to San Francisco, California! But if you happen to be there, be sure to check it out. Here I discovered their cookbook which I couldn't wait to read from cover to cover, just like a novel. ;O)

These recipes aren't really for beginners, as there are many steps to each recipe (usually), but you can certainly dissect the recipes and create "just the sauce", for instance.

This is one of the best vegan books if you ever need a fancy shmancy vegan meal that will impress. Check out some of these delectable dishes I've created...

• Polenta Torte with Puttanesca Sauce
• Caramelized Garlic and Smoked Portobello Pizzas
• No-Cream of Mushroom Soup
• Chocolate Almond Midnight Dessert (Cashew Crust, Chocolate Mousse and a Maple Almond Praline)

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The Artful Vegan: Fresh Flavors from the Millennium Restaurant
Eric Tucker






Be sure to check out Eric Tucker's latest. You really cannot go wrong with any of Chef Tucker's books. The guy is a genius. I mean, his restaurant Millennium is the only place I have ever had a meal that LITERALLY brought tears to my eyes, it was that over-the-top sensational.

The recipes are QUITE complex and require a pretty high skill level. So I'm featuring it here because I know you will pick up so many amazing cooking tips that you can apply to your own cooking to improve your skills. Eric Tucker, I love you! :)

• Portobello Carpaccio over Carrot and Parsnip Fettuccine with Raw Pumpkin Seed-Ancho Chile Pesto
• Stuffed Poblano Chilies over Forbidden Black Rice Risotto with Roasted Corn-Avocado Abdi
• Caramelized Three Onion and Porcini Cappuccino with Truffled Soy Foam
• Broad Noodles with Southeast Asian Peanut Pesto and Five-Spice Baked Tofu

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The Candle Cafe Cookbook: More Than 150 Enlightened Recipes from New York's Renowned Vegan Restaurant
Joy Pierson, Bart Potenza, Barbara Scott-Goodman





A fun little trip to New York City brought us to the infamous Candle Cafe. So, of course, I had to buy their cookbook!

This is one of the best vegan books if you'd like to learn to create casual and homey-tasting yet completely flavorful dishes, with nice big portions. Here are some of my stand-out faves...

• Seitan Piccata with White Wine and Caper Sauce
• Savory Vegetable Pot Pie
• Barbecued Tempeh-Chipotle Burgers with Grilled Pineapple
• Chocolate Mousse Pie (OMG!!!!)

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Candle 79 Cookbook: Modern Vegan Classics from New York's Premier Sustainable Restaurant
Joy Pierson, Angle Ramons, and Jorge Pineda






The Candle Cafe has a hoity toity sister restaurant called Candle 79 which Jeff and I happened upon quite by accident. The food was not only gorgeous to look at, but it was so special to know that everything served was vegan and so sublime. Of course, it WAS a little spendy, so this has made it onto my list of best vegan books because I think it's pretty rad they have a cookbook to share their amazing and artistic dishes with all of us.

• Cashew Cheese-Stuffed Yuca Cakes (have you tried yuca? OMG! Delish!)
• Potato Gnocchi
• Panko-Crusted Seitan Milanese
• Cashew Créme Fraiche

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The Conscious Cook: Delicious Meatless Recipes That Will Change the Way You Eat
Tal Ronnen






This is my latest pick for one of the best vegan cookbooks to hit the market recently. Chef Tal Ronnen is a master, and you can learn SO MUCH from him about how to build flavors and combine them to make vegan meals that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Read this one from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

Here's a sample of some of the recipes you'll find...

• Free-Form Ravioli with Tofu Ricotta and Arugula Pesto
• Gardein "Chicken" Scaloppini with Shiitake Sake Sauce, Braised Pea Shoots, and Crispy Udon Noodle Cakes
• Lemongrass Consomme with Pea Shoot and Mushroom Dumplings
• Twice-Baked Fingerling Potatoes with Crisped Dulse

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And what cookbook collection would be complete without DESSERTS? My all-time favorite pick EV-ER...

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule
Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero







Who doesn't LOOOOVE cupcakes? This is one of the best vegan books if you'd like to learn to create adorable and perfect little cupcakes for people big and small! Every single cupcake I've made from this book has been just amazing. Kudos to Isa and Terry for these delectable little creations. Imagine sinking your teeth into these delicious morsels...

• Vanilla and Agave Nectar Cupcakes (tastes like good ol' fashioned wedding cake)
• Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
• Marble Cupcakes with Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
• and my most favorite: Banana Split Cupcakes!!

Here's a photo of one of the Vegan Banana Split Cupcakes that I made. Isn't it pretty? And SOOOO delicious, with delectable buttercream frosting piled high.

But beware: You can't just eat one! Oy!

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My Sweet Vegan: passionate about dessert
Hannah Kaminsky







Don't you love a cookbook that has LOTS of photos so you can see what the finished dish should look like? That's what you will find in this superb dessert cookbook. I am in awe of Hannah Kaminsky who not only has figured out how to make desserts that cause some serious drool action, but because she has figured it all out at such a young age. As the book tells us, she was making award-winning desserts while she was still in high school. Go girl! But don't be fooled - these desserts are not always easy to whip up. Hannah has a level of expertise that some of us can only dream of. This is one of the best vegan books because if you have the time and determination, you can create some sweet masterpieces.

Here's a sample of some of the recipes you'll find...

• Coconut Custard Pie
• Triple Threat Chocolate "Cheese" Cake
• Mocha Devastation Cake (OMG!)
• Whoopie Pies

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More Great Good Dairy-Free Desserts Naturally
Fran Costigan







What I love so much about this cookbook is that it hits an area of vegan baking that many vegan cookbooks do not. Here you will find vegan desserts like pies, cookies, muffins, scones, cornbread, puddings, even "jello". Of course, there are still yummy cakes and delicious frostings to spread on top so she covers all the bases. This is one of the best vegan cookbooks because it is unique, and you will find lots of tips throughout.

• Better Fruit Gel-Oh
• Pumpkin Pie with Candied Pecans
• Currant Scones
• Coconut Cloud Layer Cake w/Island Coconut Cream Filling and Frosting

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Let's switch gears for a second and talk RAW VEGAN COOKBOOKS...

The Raw Gourmet
Nomi Shannon







So, there we were. Jeff and I were vegan for just about 10 years. And as happens to many Vegans we became interested in RAW FOODS! This was the very first of the raw vegan cookbooks I ever picked up on the topic.

This is one of the best vegan books if you'd like to learn to make some of the more basic raw foods, like soups, dressings, sauces and salads. Most of the dishes feature a beautiful presentation. The majority of the recipes don't require a dehydrator, although you WILL need one for pizza and pie crusts, and to make burgers. Oh, and there's LOTS of pictures too!

Here's a sample of some of the recipes you'll find...

• Vegetable Nori Roll-Ups
• Sunflower Seed Pate
• Mole Sauce
• Banana-Coconut Cream Pie

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Living Cuisine: The Art and Spirit of Raw Foods

Renee Underkoffler







I feel that I REALLY hit the jackpot when I discovered this fantastic book. The cover of the book says the recipes are irresistible, and I must agree! I have absolutely loved everything I've made out of this book!

There are 4 sections to this fabulous treat of a book. Part One talks about the basics of raw foods. Part Two helps you to stock your raw foods pantry. Part Three is all about raw foods prep and techniques. And Part Four contains some of the most scrumptious raw foods recipes I've had the pleasure of making.

This is one of the best vegan books if you're looking to go beyond the basics of raw foods to start creating slightly more complicated meals that you can feel comfortable serving to guests. Many of the recipes require soaking, sprouting and/or a dehydrator -- so they can be time consuming. But if you have the time, your taste buds will love you forevermore. I recommend this book for those who like raw foods AND cooked foods as some of her recipes require very light steaming.

Here are my standout favorites...

• Sun-Fired Tomato Lasagna Terrine
• Pizza Fresca with Red and White Sauce
• Stuffed Eggplant Manicotti with Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Marinara
• Napa Wrapped Asparagus (with Lemon Cashew Sauce)
• Tomato Summer Stacks (with Macadamia-Pine Nut Filling)

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Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People
Jennifer Cornbleet







Although I'm not a diehard raw foodist (by any stretch of the imagination), I REALLY love raw foods in the warmer weather. One of my friends is a raw foods chef in Chicago (SomeLikeItRaw.net -- Hi Vanessa!) and one day I was picking her brain for some EASY raw foods recipes. This is the book she steered me towards.

This is one of the best vegan books if you want to learn how to make raw foods that take just a few minutes to prepare. Almost every recipe simply requires either a blender or a food processor. The recipes make just enough for -- as the title states -- 1 or 2 people, but the recipes can be doubled or tripled.

I really enjoy...

• Swiss Chard with Pine Nuts and Raisins (tastes cooked due to prep method)
• Not Meat Balls
• Mock Sour Cream and Chive Dip
• Blackberry Crisp with Crumble Topping

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Raw Food/Real World: 100 Recipes to Get the Glow
Matthew Kenny and Sarma Melngailis







My friend Vanessa in Chicago also recommended this beautiful masterpiece to me. The recipes are usually time consuming and many times require expensive or hard-to-get ingredients. But the recipes are delicious, and are served at the authors' restaurant: Pure Food and Wine in New York City.

If I lived anywhere NEAR New York, I would simply visit the restaurant and let THEM do all the work, but alas I'm on the opposite side of the country. So to the kitchen I go. ;O)

This book is truly a work of art. The photos are magnificent (and there are LOTS of them), and the recipes are divine. This is one of the best vegan books if you want to create gourmet raw foods -- particularly for a dinner party.

But be warned -- NOT for beginners. You will need a lot of time, and many recipes require a dehydrator to turn out right. Most of the entrees have 2-3 mini recipes within the whole, which is kind of nice because you can pull out just ONE of those mini recipes to use on its own or in a different dish. For example...

• Spicy Corn Tortillas (with Spicy "Beans", Avocado-Corn Guacamole and Tomato-Lime Salsa)
• Zucchini and Green Zebra Tomato Lasagne (with Basil-Pistachio Pesto, Tomato Sauce, and Pignoli Ricotta)
• Shitake, Avocado, and Pickled Ginger Sushi Rolls (with Jicama Rice)
• Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream

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Next, I'd like to share with you some of the best vegan books that focus on vegan nutrition that I feel every Vegan (or Vegan wanna-be) might want to consider reading at some point. So here are some of my favorite vegan nutrition books, in no particular order...

Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Plant-Based Diet
Brenda Davis, R.D. & Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D.








When I discovered this book, I was SO happy. It's a great read. Jam packed with all the vital vegan nutrition information you need. And it's very easy to understand, so if you're not versed in all things nutrition, you'll still get a lot out of reading this fabulous book.

This is not only the one of the best vegan books, but I believe it just might be the best vegan nutrition book, especially if you're looking for information about vegan protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins (including B12), and vegan nutrition for children, seniors, and vegan athletes. And so much more! And I think what I perhaps love best is that they don't sugar-coat anything. If there is a slight challenge with any particular nutritional aspect of the vegan diet, they let you know and give you recommendations of how to best stay on top of it. Seek out a copy today, for sures. ;O)

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The Optimum Nutrition Bible: The Book You Have to Read if You Care About Your Health
Patrick Holford








I like what Patrick Holford has to say. He's one of Britain's leading nutritional authors and founded the Institute for Optimum Nutrition. He describes in easy-to-understand terms not only why a vegan diet is best, but he laser focuses on the various parts that make up the whole...

This is one of the best vegan books if you're looking for solid information about antioxidants, digestion, hormones, and the immune system, among other topics. Although he DOES focus a little too strongly on supplements for my tastes (I prefer to get my nutrition from whole food sources), it would be a shame for me to NOT recommend this book for only that reason. Especially since you should come to your own conclusion about supplements. ;O)

* p.s. Although I haven't had the time to review it just yet, there IS an updated version of this book available now called The New Optimum Nutrition Bible which covers the same ground with the addition of stimulants, water, eating right for your blood type, detox, homocysteine, and toxic minerals.

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The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted And the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, And Long-term Health
T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D.







The book title says it all. Dr. Campbell conducted what has become known as "Grand Prix of epidemiology" by The New York Times. You'll discover the link between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, as well as obesity. His findings point to one simple fact: removing animal products from your diet can have a dramatic effect on reducing and reversing these ailments.

This is one of the best vegan books if you're looking for hard facts about why eating a vegan diet is one of the best things you can do to move yourself toward the healthiest person you can be.

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The Food Revolution: How Your Diet Can Help Save Your Life and Our World
John Robbins








The Food Revolution really opened my eyes to how food is produced in the U.S. and the impact it has on our environment. Due to the way meat is produced these days, the saturated fat and cholesterol contained therein is raised to never-before-seen heights. Not only that, but the simple raising of these animals for meat is using up our water supply -- water that is becoming more and more scarce every year. John also discusses the topics of antibiotics, insecticides, and the frightening side of genetic engineering (GMO's).

This is one of the best vegan books if you're eating food produced in the United States. Period.

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Breaking the Food Seduction: The Hidden Reasons Behind Food Cravings---And 7 Steps to End Them Naturally
Neal Barnard, M.D.







I've noticed an underlying malady among people today -- that of munching out on chips, cookies, cakes, candies and other sweet foods. I can understand this phenomenon because I used to do the same thing! I couldn't understand why I would get a craving for sweets at the same time every day (in the evening), so I picked up this book. I am so happy that I did!

This is one of the best vegan books if you'd like to learn more about why you crave sugar, and how to break the sweets cycle. For those who are non-Vegan, you'll learn why it seems nearly impossible to remove cheese from your diet -- it's not your fault (whew!), it's a matter of biochemistry -- and Dr. Barnard will help you to understand what you can do to break this addiction. Non-vegetarians will discover that when you crave meat there's a very good reason!

And through it all you'll come out with 7 simple steps to break craving cycles and how to tame your appetite, including the importance of the glycemic index. Oh, and that back of the book is filled with more Joanne Stepaniak recipes! Whoo-hoo!

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My vegan book collection keeps growing. I can't stop reading! Here I will list more books I think you will enjoy, in no particular order...

World Peace Diet: Eating for Spiritual Health and Social Harmony
Will Tuttle, Ph.D.









The World Peace Diet is absolutely brilliant. I've read so many vegan books over the years -- too many to count, really. The way Dr. Will Tuttle approaches so many of the topics in this book made for an absolutely fascinating read.

This is one of the best vegan books to discover how -- through eating -- we contribute to our culture's values and paradigms at the most primal levels.

It's been a very, very long time since a book captured my attention from the start, and nearly every single page had at least one sentence on it that blew me away. Each and every chapter was a compelling read.

I am so proud to be vegan, and this book helped me to remember why.

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Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living
Alisa Marie Fleming

Go Dairy Free is jam-packed to the brim with incredibly helpful tips about going completely dairy free. This, of course, includes removing casein, a milk protein, which happens to be in the ingredients of many so-called "vegan" products.

Alisa teaches you everything you could ever want to know about living dairy free, including information about where to get your calcium, dealing with dairy allergies, restaurant dining, shopping for and preparing dairy-free dishes, dairy substitutes, and of course recipes -- lots of them!

This is one of the best vegan books to read if you want to give up dairy -- hands down.

Please note: In very few recipes she gives some non-veg options for ingredients just in case you must give up dairy yet still choose to eat some animal products such as eggs and chicken broth. But these are so few and far between, such a teeny part of the book, and since she still gives vegan options along with those few non-veg options, it is still finding its place in my Best Vegan Books list.

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Hope this list of what I feel are the best vegan books, best vegan cookbooks, best vegan nutrition books, and best books on veganism has been helpful for you. Going Vegan has been the biggest adventure of my life. I highly recommend it. :O)

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