Co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market John Mackey has written a new book, The Whole Foods Diet: The Lifesaving Plan for Health and Longevity (Grand Central, 2017), and like many things that he has done, this volume has the potential to change people’s lives.
The book is co-authored by husband-and-wife medical team Alona Pulde, MD, and Matthew Lederman, MD. If you’ve watched the acclaimed documentary Forks Over Knives, you may remember them as the physicians who worked with many of the movie’s subjects.
On a national book tour, Mackey recently made an appearance at the new and spectacular Whole Foods store in the Art Museum area of Philadelphia. With stanchions in place, followers of the Whole Foods movement streamed through the line, one by one, as John Mackey signed each book with warm and meaningful inscriptions. People asked Mackey questions, and many requested a photo with him.
According to store team leader, Laurent Dallot, “Having John Mackey in the store is an honor for our guests and team members. I feel fortunate that I get to carry out John’s vision daily through our core values.” I’ve known Dallot for many years, and it is easy to say that he was beaming about his store and seeing his guests enjoy Mackey’s visit so much.
In his book, Mackey expresses his own food journey. Like many who grew up in the 1950s and ‘60s, his diet was far from stellar (we’re talking burgers and fries). I’ve heard John Mackey speak many times, and as I read the book, it is his voice that I heard in each word.
The book is divided into three parts to help successfully guide you on the whole foods journey:
- Part I is designed to educate, demystify and inform you.
- Part II gives practical support in the transition (shopping lists, tips, etc).
- Part III is an invitation to try the “28 Day Eat Real Food Plan.”
The book’s recipes are created by that dynamic kitchen duo from Wicked Healthy, brothers Chad Sarno and Derek Sarno. They’re champions in the vegan culinary world and their recipes are always delicious and easy to follow. According to Derek, “We are excited to support and provide recipes and delicious foods that really benefit people far beyond just taste buds!” The recipes are easy to follow, and the ingredient list is basic. I made the no-oil marinara, and it was divine. Yes, no-oil pasta sauce.
My time as a reporter with Mackey was cut short, but I got to tell him what I really needed to share with him. Seven years ago part of his vision was to make his team members healthier. At the time, I worked at a Philadelphia-based Whole Foods store and was chosen to attend the inaugural Engine 2 Immersion in Austin, Texas. Engine 2 is the concept of plant-based eating developed by former Austin city firefighter Rip Esselstyn, who’s now a healthy eating partner for Whole Foods Market. In 2010 Rip hosted 120 team members; it was life-changing for me and even re-directed my life. Mackey was at Rip’s event interacting with team members and sharing his own vision for healthier eating.
My family medical history reads like a Merck Manual, but by following a whole-foods, plant-based diet, I now enjoy optimal health. I eat beautiful fresh vegetables, fruits, grains and greens, and what I am able to create in the kitchen is always a culinary surprise to me.
At the book signing, I got to personally thank John Mackey for redirecting my life with his vision of getting team members healthier. And although I no longer work for Whole Foods, everything I learned at my immersion is part of my core. I will always remain grateful to Whole Foods, John Mackey and Rip.
Mackey highlights more than 30 Whole Food Heroes in the book. The list reads with names like T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D.; Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., MD; Jeff Novick, RD; and more. If there was a Mt. Rushmore for Mackey’s heroes, you’d find them there!
Read the book and make yourself your own Whole Foods Hero. Use them as your inspiration to stop eating heavily processed foods, spend more time cooking in the kitchen and think about food origins and what you eat. There is scientific evidence that the benefits of a primarily plant-based diet can enhance well-being. We all need to eat more greens, grains and legumes—it’s as simple as that!
While The Whole Foods Diet supports a plant-based diet, it does underscore that eating animal foods (chicken, fish, beef, etc.) should equate to 10% of your daily caloric intake, if you decide to continue eating meat.
John Mackey will donate the royalties from the book sales to the Whole Planet Foundation, Whole Cities Foundation and Whole Kids Foundation, three not-for-profit foundations at Whole Foods Market.
If you’re looking for a life-changing book to make you feel better and be more productive, The Whole Foods Diet has all of the information, science and creative ideas to have you feeling great in just 28 days. And when day 29 rolls around, just keep going!
Fun Fact About John Mackey
Yes, it is true. There was a question about John Mackey on July 15, 2015, on Jeopardy!
“Since 1980 co-founder John Mackey has been CEO of this, “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store.”
The answer: What is Whole Foods Market?
- Food photos: Chad & Derek Sarno of Wicked Healthy
- Remaining photos: Char Nolan
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