T. Colin Campbell Hates "Veganism"?

[TheVeganAtheist]

Just watched this interview on youtube with T. Colin Campbell.... I must say Im quite suprised with T. Colin Campbell's reaction to veganism and his very narrow notion of what it means.

Anyone aware of this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7vyUdnoruY

[Anon0045]

I knew about this already from a debate I think Campbell had. Both him and John McDougall are on the record sayings similar things about vegan diets. They are passionate about health, and want people to eat healthier. Some animal products is allowed but only on rare occassions, but preferrably not at all, according to at least John McDougall, because if you allow yourself just a little bit unhealthy food, you'll eat more than you should. There is a psychological reason for recommending a strict vegan diet, I think. I assume that Campbell think like this too.

Another thing I've noticed is that they seem to compete for words/slogans, which might influence the reluctance to even mention vegan diet. You hear McDougall talk about starch a lot, he doesn't say plant based or whole food like some others.

[brimstoneSalad]

I don't think he hates veganism, he just thinks it's confusing and not useful in dietary terms, because veganism really isn't a diet, but a broad array of different kinds of diets that just happen not to include animal products (as well as exclusion of other animal products).
The diet he advocates happens to be compatible with veganism.

"Low fat, whole food vegan diet" could also be composed entirely of mushrooms. I don't know how he feels about that.

It's very interesting that he's giving all of these interviews on youtube.


As mentioned, the same is the case with McDougall, who isn't vegan. They want to make a clear distinction between ideology, and healthy eating. I actually agree with them on this point, and think it's useful for them to maintain distance from veganism as an ideology.

[cidig]

To some extent I do understand him because I see so many vegans eating unhealthy foods. When people ask me about me becoming vegan I always stress the low-fat whole-food part and that simply throwing away all the animal-derived products is not enough for good health. I don't understand, however, why the author of the video can't appreciate the distinction between nutrition itself and all that veganism is. Basically, veganism allows unhealthy eating. As I see it, Campbell simply wanted to avoid the confusion and to stress the way to the best health outcome. It is simply didactic. He is a scientist and is used to the fact that words have strict meaning.

BTW, Campbell told during a question & answer session after some of his lectures that he sometimes eats fish.