What have you found that people most want to know when reading about veganism? Do they look for meal plans or simply lifestyle changes?
Most people want to know how to incorporate these lifestyle changes into their daily routine, obtaining nutrients that they will no longer get from animal based products and how to work within their budget. More and more restaurants and grocery stores are selling foods that cater to diets focused around plant-based foods, making these changes simple and affordable, with versatile alternatives to animal products.

Some of the main nutrients of concern include calcium, protein, and iron.
1.) Calcium: Silk, maker of soy, almond and coconut milks, has 50% more calcium than typical dairy milk in all of their natural refrigerated products. An easy way to lean into a more plant based diet is by simply switching out dairy milk in your morning cereal for a plant-based alternative like soy, almond or coconut milk. I buy a few different whole grain cereals and mix them up, chop up some apples and put some blueberries on top.  Add a spoonful of freshly ground flax seeds (you can grind them in your coffee grinder) for extra fiber and a shot of Omega 3’s,  then pour on some delicious Silk Vanilla Coconut milk to make it really tasty and hearty.
2.) Protein: Vegetables, grains, beans, and soy products give you plenty of protein, even if you are active and athletic. And there is no need to eat these foods in any special combinations. The normal mixtures of food people choose from day to day easily satisfy protein needs.
3.) Iron: The most healthful sources of iron are "greens and beans." That is, green leafy vegetables and anything from the bean group. Vegetables, beans, and other foods provide all the iron you need. In fact, studies show that vegetarians and vegans tend to get more iron than meat-eaters. Vitamin C increases iron absorption. Dairy products reduce iron absorption significantly.

If you’re stuck on what to buy at the store, I’ve already make a general shopping list on my website here!

How do you think a vegan lifestyle can benefit a child and adult? Does beginning life as a vegan help prevent certain diseases? How does becoming a vegan later in life help improve one’s health and general lifestyle?
The number one problem for kids in this country is obesity, so eating vegan is a great thing for kids to do. The American Dietetic Association says that a well-balanced vegan or vegetarian diet is safe and healthy for any age, so feel good about giving your kids plant-based meals!  As far as going vegan later in life, the shift is very positive for health.  In the first week, weight begins to drop off.  By two weeks, blood pressure and blood sugar drop to much healthier levels.  And by the third week of eating nutrient dense, fiber rich vegan food, cholesterol drops significantly.

What are your top tips for living a healthy life and being a conscious eater?
One of my top tips for living a healthy lifestyle and a conscious eater are to get creative with it! Take advantage of produce that is in season and use them in new, unique ways. Take fall’s super foods for example. Not only will they get you in the mood for harvest season, but they will help boost plant-based and calcium intake. These tips are timely too since October is National Vegetarian Month. It’s a great excuse to lean in to a more plant-based diet!
a.    Broccoli
•     Tip: Think outside the box with broccoli. Try a soup to warm up on those cool fall evenings or add frozen broccoli, along with blueberries, to smoothies; you won’t even taste it!
b.   Butternut squash
      Tip: Here is one unique seasonal vegetable that I don’t cook with often. Instead of a soup, add it to a fennel dish.
c.   Soy and almonds
•    Tip: With the variety of Silk soymilk and Pure Almond flavors like vanilla, chocolate and Dark Chocolate and the added benefits of 50% more calcium than typical dairy milk, it’s an easy and delicious way to get these superfoods into your diet.  I like to heat up a cup, add a little agave sweetener to taste, and have it as a cozy drink at night.
d.   Pomegranates
•    Tip: Pomegranates go from your breakfast oatmeal to your after-dinner dessert. They are easy to include in any meal.
e.   Leafy greens
•    Tip: Get your iron intake with Leafy greens by adding them to a sandwich or sauté them as a side dish for dinner or to put atop a salad.  

Tell us what inspired you when writing Veganist: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Change the World.
I was inspired because the more I researched and learned, the more I realized that changing the way we eat shifts us in positive and profound ways on every single level – physical (we lose weight and can reverse disease), emotionally (we feel like we are taking charge of health issues, and that’s empowering), and spiritually (it feels so good to eat in a way that is aligned with the fundamental values of kindness and compassion).  And those personal changes ripple out and are good for the environment and of course for the animals who are spared.  I think moving away from eating animals and toward a plant based diet is truly a game changer, so I wanted to write about it.  

I understand that you divide time between L.A. and N.Y. What about the food culture of each city is different? I would assume that there are more vegans in L.A. Being from the Midwest, most people love their meat and potatoes. How can people incorporate vegan ideas into their eating habits?
New York actually has far more vegetarian restaurants than L.A. and has for a long time.  New York has Candle 79, which is such an elegant, upscale restaurant, but L.A. has Veggie Grill, which is the most unbelievably delicious “quick serve” joint which serves burgers and wraps with kale salad and sweet potato fries. My advice for incorporating vegan ideas is to start off slow and dedicate one day a week to making a healthy change, like eating only plant-based foods. Try making every Monday a “Meatless Monday.” Make simple switches to your daily diet to lean in to more plant-based foods. Use veggie sausage and soy bacon instead of the animal based foods, and try meatless meat crumbles, found in your grocer’s freezer, for tacos and chili.

How do you see the food culture changing from where it was 10 year ago, or 20?
The market is changing, and restaurants are just starting to catch up with the desire to have more protein centered, plant-based meals.  Young chefs and entrepreneurs who are still in school are going to emerge with food opportunities that are going to make eating meat seem old and passé.  Whereas up until very recently, you could hardly find a meatless or cheeseless entrée on the menu, I believe we are going to see mainstream restaurants have at least half or three quarters of the menu devoted to plant-based fare.  

What would be your advice to people who are looking to make one healthy change in the way they live their everyday life?
Get informed and have fun while living according to your values like kindness and thoughtfulness, then you can decide which healthy changes suit your lifestyle. Maybe it’s waking up before work to go to yoga class or it’s incorporating a “Meatless Monday” in your meal plan for the week. Whatever you decide, take all aspects of your life into consideration.

Kathy Freston is a New York Times best-selling author with a concentration on healthy living and conscious eating. Her newest book is THE QUANTUM WELLNESS CLEANSE: The 21 Day Essential Guide to Healing Your Body, Mind, and Spirit, (Weinstein Books).

Freston has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Ellen, Dr. Oz, The View, Good Morning America, and CBS's the Early Show. Her work has been featured notably in Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Self, W, and Fitness. She is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post.