Taking the vegan plunge can be an admirable decision for activist, health, or weight loss reasons. But since meat and dairy are literally off the table now, it’s very important to nourish your body and get the nutrients you need. Vegan diets consist entirely of plant foods. That means no meat, fish, poultry, eggs, or dairy. While many people adopt this way of eating out of animal rights and environmental concerns, others are choosing it for its health benefits such as reduced risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, lower cholesterol and, of course, weight loss.

Sugar is everywhere and it is more dangerous than you think. Cocaine is regarded as one of the most addictive drugs on the planet. But did you know sugar, in high quantities, can be just as addictive?

In 1973, when I was a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health and beginning to become interested in alternative therapies, I met Shyam Singha, a London-based Indian osteopath, naturopath, herbalist, acupuncturist, homeopath, and meditation master. Shyam had gleaming yellow eyes and flowing black hair, and wore impeccably tailored Savile Row suits or floor-length, orange silk gowns.

“Taiwan is known as the vegetarian paradise.” Soon after arriving in Taiwan recently, I was told this by quite a few people. There are over 1,500 registered vegetarian restaurants on this little island smaller than West Virginia, with a population of 23 million people. Taiwan, also known as the Republic of China, was originally named Formosa by Portuguese explorers, which understandably means “Beautiful Island.”

As non-meat restaurants proliferate in China, diners are flocking to them for many reasons: flavour, nutrition, ethics, faith, culture, fashion, food safety and environmental concerns. Zhou Wei reports.