WFPB Diet: From Veggie Hater to Plant-Based

Former vegetable-hater

For a full year, my sister, Drenda-Michell, watched my health improve and was happy for me. But, she repeatedly told me she couldn’t do it because she hated vegetables.

We sat in our mom’s kitchen, and I asked her if she really hated ALL veggies, or only some, and asked her to tell me some she liked.

She reluctantly named a couple–potatoes & pickles, if I remember correctly. Then I named a few and asked her if she liked them. Some she did, some she didn’t. “Definitely not broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, or cucumbers!”

After a couple of minutes, I told her she liked enough veggies, fruits, grains, beans, pasta, etc. to easily do this.

Learning about plant-based nutrition

Shortly after our talk, I asked her if she would do me a favor– just for me, if for no other reason. I wanted her to read The China Study. She had already watched the documentary, Forks Over Knives, a year or so earlier.

Much to my surprise, I didn’t have to beg or even ask twice. She was very willing to read it at that point, and that was the ‘Seal the Deal’ moment. She read it, got herself together, and changed her life and health. And I couldn’t be prouder!

Medication-free by eating healthy

In less than one year, she was down 50 lbs. and off all of her medications for allergies and hormonal/menopause meds. Previously, she had high blood pressure and the doctor wanted to put her on something for it. She was also anemic.

Just like me, she experienced swollen and painful joints (our mother has Rheumatoid Arthritis), along with tingling and numbness in some areas.

Now, her blood pressure and cholesterol are in excellent ranges, she is no longer anemic, and her doctors are astounded. And, her taste buds are changing majorly! She now likes many more veggies, including cucumbers and cabbage.

When I asked her to tell me how she feels now, compared with how she felt before, she said, “

I think the most satisfying thing to me is that I feel like I’m on a positive path. I’m in control, my body is not controlling me. I feel so good! Like my body is finally working with me, and not against me.”

Believe it or not, the Barley Vegetable Soup pictured below was created by none other than the former veggie-hater, also known as my sister.

UPDATE / Sept. 15, 2023:

Drenda-Michell had a setback and a new diagnosis. Read about her battle and recovery in her personal story, Controlling Rheumatoid Arthritis with Diet. She also came on board to work as a recipe developer, photographer, and technical assistant with EatPlant-Based. Check out her BIO.

More Plant-Based Success Stories

Plant-Based Diet Weight Loss: Jamie Morgan Reno

Plant-Based Diet for Healing- Linda’s Story

Reversing Heart Disease with Diet

My WFPB Diet Journey: Craig Milton

Want more amazing encouragement? Check out these other Whole Food Plant-Based Diet (WFPB) Success Stories.