A Vegan Diet Without Cooking Oils Helps People Drop 30+ Pounds—’People Think I’m Lying About My Age!’

From womansworld.com 

Cutting this pantry staple from her plant-based meals helped Diana get healthy and silence cravings

Key Takeaways

• Eating plant-based without oils helped Janice lose 36 pounds and reverse her diabetes.
• Diana lost 30 pounds and conquered her cravings by snacking on vegan treats like medjool dates.
• Cookbook author Javant Benton shares his recipe for vegan strawberry shortcake protein bars.

What if one simple food swap could help you lose weight, reverse diabetes and feel decades younger? That’s exactly what happened to Janice T., 70, when she discovered the secret behind a fresh approach to vegan diets. Simply skipping cooking oils transformed her health—and it’s working for hundreds of thousands of others too. Her doctor even took her off diabetes medication! Sound too good to be true? Keep reading for more inspiring details, plus a delicious recipe to get you started.

Meet Javant Benton: The new voice behind vegan, no-oil diets

Plant-based, no-oil eating? That’s the message behind the new bestselling cookbook Make Your Own by Javant Benton, who lost 85 pounds and restored his health.

Years ago, Benton was struggling with high blood pressure, high blood sugar and a cancer scare. A diet heavy on meat, fried foods and cooking oils was stealing his health. But then he made a miraculous switch to wholesome vegan eating without a drop of cooking oil. The transformation was remarkable—he lost 85 pounds and got his health back! Now he’s on a mission to share this gift with others through his inspiring YouTube channel and Instagram platform. (Learn all about his eating advice here.) Now Benton has nearly 1 million loyal followers online. Keep reading for success stories from two of his fans.

Janice lost 36 pounds and reversed her diabetes

Janice T., 70, started eating more of Benton’s vegan diet recipes and cut her meat consumption in half. Then she saw the type of quick results people dream about. She lost 6 pounds the first month and went on to drop 36 pounds and two pant sizes total. She also improved her blood pressure and lowered her diabetes A1C from 7.2 to 5.2—her doctor even took her off medication!

Janice shares, “My favourite Javant-inspired recipes are the white bean chili with Cajun cornbread, vegan buffalo sandwich with spicy mango buffalo sauce, sun-dried tomato pasta salad and German chocolate cake. However, there are so many delicious, healthy recipes!”

Diana dropped 30 pounds after heart surgery and cancer

And Janice is not alone. All across the world, women are discovering the power of Benton’s vegan, no-oil eating approach. Each one has her own inspiring journey. Want to hear about more real-life results? Meet Diana, who improved her health and is now paying it forward to help her community…

                                                                                                        Courtesy Diana Morgan Burgess

After major open-heart surgery and a cancer diagnosis, Diana Morgan Burgess gained weight even though she ate clean, avoided meat and exercised. She needed to shake things up a bit. So she cut out oils and tried Benton’s dishes. “That made a huge difference.” As a result, she lost more than 30 pounds and is now cancer-free. She also improved her sleep quality and eliminated the chronic mucus in her throat. “People think I’m lying about being 64. Health is wealth!”

How Diana conquered her sweet tooth

Diana had a huge sweet tooth. But Benton taught her to quiet cravings by snacking on medjool dates. “It makes a difference in my appetite.” Plus, eating vegan with no oils hasn’t stolen Diana’s “food joy.” She says, “I totally enjoy my food. You can be creative with it.”

Diana, a business owner in Jamaica, admits she started out as a sceptic. But after improving her health, she’s a believer. Now she gives people copies of Benton’s vegan, no-oil cookbook. “Obesity is a real problem in my community. I’m helping people get healthy!”

The bottom line on vegan eating without oils

You can still enjoy your favourite desserts and comfort-food eats with a healthier approach by following Javant Benton’s recipes from Make Your Own. Weight-loss success stories like Diana’s prove the approach is deliciously successful!

https://www.womansworld.com/weight-loss/success-stories/a-vegan-diet-without-oil-helps-women-reverse-diabetes-and-lose-weight

7 Must-Try Vegan Protein Powders

From onegreenplanet.org

By Jennifer Valentine

The vegan protein powder market looked completely different when this article was first written. What was once a narrow field of gritty, difficult-to-mix options has become one of the most competitive supplement categories on Amazon — and frankly, the quality gap between plant-based and whey has closed to the point where it’s no longer a relevant comparison. A 2020 review in the journal Nutrients confirmed that well-formulated plant-based protein blends achieve amino acid profiles comparable to whey for muscle protein synthesis and recovery. The seven picks below are the ones worth your money in 2026 — different formats, different price points, all certified vegan and third-party tested. If you want our in-depth breakdown by specific goal, see our full guides to the best vegan protein powders for women and the best vegan protein powders for weight loss.

• Pea protein and brown rice protein are the most common plant-based combination because together they form a complete amino acid profile — each covers the gaps in the other.
• Third-party testing (NSF Certified, Informed Sport, or Informed Choice) matters more in supplements than almost any other product category — the FDA does not require pre-market approval for supplements.
• Protein per serving means less than protein per calorie. A powder with 20g protein at 120 calories is more efficient than one with 25g at 250 calories.
• Most people doing moderate exercise need 1.2–1.6g of protein per kilogram of bodyweight daily, according to a 2019 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Sports Medicine — a range easily met through whole foods plus one daily shake.

                                                                                                            Image Credit: One Green Planet

7 Vegan Protein Powders Worth Trying in 2026

1. Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein — Best Whole-Food Formula

Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein remains the benchmark for whole-food-based vegan protein. The formula draws protein from 13 raw organic sprouted sources — pea, brown rice, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, chlorella, quinoa, chia, garbanzo, lentil, adzuki, flax, and sunflower — alongside live probiotics and protein-digesting enzymes. Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, NSF Certified Gluten Free, Certified Vegan, and Informed Choice certified. 22g protein per serving. The honest limitation: the unflavoured version has a pronounced earthy pea taste that doesn’t disappear in water — it needs fruit or plant milk to be palatable. The vanilla and chocolate versions are significantly more drinkable. Around $35–$42 for 20 servings. Shop Garden of Life Raw Protein on Amazon.

2. Orgain Organic Protein — Best for Everyday Value

The #1 plant-based protein powder brand in the US by sales volume, and it earned that position. Orgain Organic Protein delivers 21g of protein from pea, brown rice, and chia seeds, with 6g of prebiotic fibre, zero added sugar, and a genuinely smooth texture that doesn’t turn gritty in a shaker bottle. USDA Organic, Certified Vegan, Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, no erythritol, no artificial anything. The vanilla bean and chocolate fudge flavours are both consistently well-reviewed for taste. For someone new to vegan protein powders who wants the easiest possible entry point, this is the answer. The honest limitation: not third-party tested to the same standard as NSF Certified or Informed Sport picks. Around $28–$34 for 20 servings. Shop Orgain Organic Protein on Amazon.

3. Sunwarrior Warrior Blend — Best Fermented Formula

Where most plant protein powders use standard extraction, Sunwarrior Warrior Blend uses fermented pea protein — a process that pre-digests the protein chains, improving bioavailability and significantly reducing the digestive discomfort some people experience with standard pea protein. Blended with hemp seed protein and MCTs from coconut, it’s raw, keto-friendly, certified organic, and vegan. 27g protein per serving at 160 calories. Manufactured in Utah from domestic and imported ingredients. The honest limitation: the coconut MCT content gives it a distinct flavour that some find pleasant and others find overpowering — try the sample-size option before committing to a full tub. Around $38–$45 for 30 servings. Shop Sunwarrior Warrior Blend on Amazon.

4. Garden of Life Sport NSF Certified — Best for Athletes

NSF Certified for Sport is the gold standard for competitive athletes — it verifies the product contains no banned substances, which the standard NSF certification does not. Garden of Life Sport is one of the few certified organic AND NSF Certified for Sport plant protein powders available. 30g protein per serving from organic pea, navy bean, lentil, and garbanzo proteins, with added tart cherry, turmeric, goji, blueberry, and apple for recovery Support. Zero banned substances. If you compete in any sport that tests for performance-enhancing compounds, this is the only certified-safe organic option on this list. Around $42–$50 for 19 servings. Shop Garden of Life Sport on Amazon.

5. Naked Pea — Best Single-Ingredient Option

One ingredient: yellow pea protein isolate from US and Canadian farms. Nothing else. Naked Pea Protein is the purest form of plant protein available at scale — no sweeteners, no flavors, no additives, no fillers. 27g protein per 2-scoop serving at 120 calories. Non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free. The 5-pound tub brings the cost per serving down to roughly $0.50 — the lowest on this list by a significant margin. If you have food sensitivities or simply want to know exactly what you’re putting in your body, this is the right pick. The honest limitation: unflavoured pea protein in water is an acquired taste. It’s designed to be added to smoothies or oatmeal, not consumed straight. Around $55–$65 for 5lb / ~76 servings. Shop Naked Pea on Amazon.

6. Garden of Life Raw Protein Unflavoured — Best for Cooking and Baking

The unflavoured version of the Garden of Life Raw line-up is specifically worth calling out as a separate recommendation for one reason: it’s genuinely neutral enough to add to savoury food. Raw Organic Protein Unflavoured blends into soups, curries, overnight oats, and baked goods without altering flavour in any detectable way — something most flavoured plant proteins can’t claim. Same certifications as the standard Raw Protein line: USDA Organic, NSF Certified Gluten Free, Certified Vegan, Non-GMO Project Verified. 22g protein per serving. Around $35–$42 for 20 servings. Shop Garden of Life Unflavoured Protein on Amazon.

7. Orgain Organic Protein + 50 Superfoods — Best All-in-One Option

For someone who wants protein and a superfood greens blend in a single daily scoop without managing multiple supplements, Orgain Organic Protein + 50 Superfoods is the most convenient answer on this list. 21g protein from the standard Orgain pea/rice/chia blend, plus 50 organic superfoods including kale, flax, chia, quinoa, beet, turmeric, acai, and broccoli. Certified USDA Organic, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, Non-GMO, zero added sugar. The superfood blend doesn’t replace a dedicated greens powder, but for building a daily habit around one shake, it genuinely covers more nutritional ground than a plain protein powder. Around $35–$42 for 20 servings. Shop Orgain + 50 Superfoods on Amazon.

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/7-must-try-vegan-protein-powders/#goog_rewarded 

Survey: Half of U.S. Adults Resolve to Start a New Diet in 2026

From pcrm.org

Over 80% Say Cost of Groceries Is Important When Choosing a Weight-Loss Plan 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly half of U.S. adults say starting a new diet is one of their New Year’s resolutions, according to a new Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult survey. More than 80% of respondents said the cost of groceries is important when choosing a weight-loss plan, but only 6% say they’ll try a plant-based or vegan diet, which research shows is among the least expensive and most effective for losing weight and keeping it off.

The poll included 2,201 women and men interviewed Dec. 2 to 3. When asked which diets they plan to try, 42% said they are going to attempt to eat fewer calories, while 28% said they’ll go on a low-carbohydrate diet, such as keto, Atkins, or South Beach. Just 6% plan to begin eating a plant-based diet despite evidence that shows it’s not only effective, but also less expensive, better for the environment, and provides protection from a variety of diseases.

Obesity and overweight have become chronic health problems in the United States. Data shows that in 23 states, more than 1 in 3 adults is obese. And across the country, 3 out of 4 adults are obese or overweight.

Barnard Medical Center Clinical Director Vanita Rahman, MD, says, “Fad diets are not the solution. Those interested in losing weight should consider a plant-based plan. It’s an evidence-backed way of eating that’s not intended as a temporary quick fix. It’s a lifestyle that promotes the shedding of excess pounds, can reverse or prevent many diseases, and reduce grocery costs.”

Research supports this.

• In the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine’s 2013 GEICO study of 292 obese or overweight GEICO Insurance Company employees with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes at 10 sites across the United States, participants followed either a low-fat vegan diet or no diet for 18 weeks. Those who followed a low-fat vegan diet lost an average of 9.5 pounds, significantly decreased total and LDL cholesterol, and, in individuals with diabetes, decreased hemoglobin A1c by an average of 0.7 percentage points.
• In another Physicians Committee study, from 2018, overweight individuals who followed a plant-based diet for 16 weeks lost 14.3 pounds, on average, while individuals in a control group experienced no significant change in weight.
• Physicians Committee research published in JAMA Network Open in 2024 showed a low-fat vegan diet cut food costs by 19%, or $1.80 per day, when compared with a Standard American Diet that included meat, dairy, and other animal products. The decrease in costs on the low-fat vegan diet was mainly attributable to savings of $2.90 per day on meat, 50 cents per day on dairy products, and 50 cents per day on added fats. These savings outweighed the increased spending of 50 cents per day on vegetables, 30 cents per day on grains, and 50 cents per day on meat alternatives on the vegan diet.

“A lot of people start the year by trying to eat less, but strict calorie cutting isn’t something most of us can keep up with,” said Xavier Toledo, a registered dietitian with the 17,000-doctor-member Physicians Committee. “When meals focus on whole plant-based foods, you can eat to comfortable fullness and still support healthy, steady weight loss.

“A good way to get started,” he said, “is to make simple swaps. Try replacing beef with beans, leaning on whole foods like grains, vegetables, and lentils, and choosing produce that’s in season. These changes can support healthy weight loss and help keep grocery costs down.”

For free plant-based resources, check out PCRM.org and sign up for the 21-Day Vegan Kickstart.

https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/survey-half-us-adults-resolve-start-new-diet-2026