The only thing worse than our country's obsession with meat and dairy is our obsession with thinness.  Only when we address both these issues will we find people healthier and happier.  As it is, this book is just the next in a long line of fad diets, and chosing veganism to lose weight is as perverse as the book's title.

I have read portions of your book and think it is fantastic!!

Have you thought of producing a movie depicting not only the horrors of raising animals for food, especially factory farming, but also the entire slaughtering process and the benefits of a vegetarian or vegan diet?  When I mentioned this idea to a friend, she thought such a movie would frighten people.  I think it would be a great educational tool and, if it frightens folks, so be it.

Marylou Noble  

The obvious body image issues aside...the diet they are promoting is just not sustainable from a health standpoint. They are just going from one fad/bad diet (fast food) to another. It is not uncommon for the fashion and publishing industries to promote this kind of nutritional nonsense, but to see Grist and the New York Times unquestionably promote skinny bitch because of the assumed sustainability of veganism (try farming organically without animal wastes!)is really disturbing.

On one hand I guess it's good that the authors are drawing in an audience that was previously unaware of the issues around factory farming, but as a vegan  female who is, well, not a skinny bitch, I just can't come to terms with the book's packaging and tone.

The same audience they are attempting to lure in with this book may very well come away with a newfound understanding of animal rights issues and a strong want to eliminate animal products from their diet, but at what cost? To them, veganism is a slick fad that is motivated by a desire to be thin.

Wrapping a serious issue in a candy-coated, emotionally-charged package doesn't sit well with me.

Esavitee - You obviously have not read this book. If you had, you would know it's NOT a fad diet. It's about making a lifestyle change that just happens to result in good health and, likely, weight loss.

I read the book in early December, having no idea that it was going to educate me on everything from "liquid Satan" (Diet Coke) to the ugly truth about animal abuse at the factory farms to the realities of how meat- and dairy-based foods impact the environment.

The book spoke to me in a way that I cannot explain, except to say that I got it, instantly. So did my 22-year-old daughter and my 50-year-old husband (I'm 50 also). Since reading the book nearly 8 weeks ago, yes, we've all three lost weight, but it's not because we're on a fad diet. We are eating healthier than we ever have, thanks to the Skinny Bitch way of thinking - that is, THINK ABOUT WHAT ARE YOU PUTTING IN YOUR BODY. More important, we are thinking about the environment with our choices. We all agree that we've never felt better, mentally or physically.

Do not let the title or style of this book throw you off. It's one of the best books I've ever read and trust me -- I'm in marketing and I'm not easy to convince. Read it before making a judgement. Oh, and by the way - I don't expect to ever be a Skinny Bitch, nor do I want to be. Skinnier, yes, but healthier, a double-yes.

Welcome to superficial America!

Let's say that Brad Pitt does a 15-second PSA saying "Smoking is uncool."
[Have you quit yet, Brad?]

Surgeon General does a 15-second PSA saying that smoking cigarettes increases your risk of heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, blah, blah, blah.

Which PSA do you think will be more effective?  Most likely Brad's, especially among young people.

Lots of people want to be cool; maybe even more people want to be thin. I've no problem with the word "skinny" being used to reel in the unsuspecting.

That being said, I think people are totally missing the humor in the title. (I've not read the book.)

I have been thin all my life.  I've often been the target of the "skiny bitch" look, or target for the "how do you stay so thin?" query.

People communicate such disdain as if you are magically thin -- that no healthy conscientious action on your part has anything to do with it.

Will going vegan alone make you thin?  Well, I guess it depends on how much meat, dairy and eggs you were eating before. If you were eating a lot, I'd guess that you'd probably loose some weight, but to really be at your ideal body weight, you should be eating lots of fruits and vegetables and a variety of plant-based foods, which is exactly what Rory encourages. If Rory just said, go vegan and you'll look like a model, it would be mis-leading, but she doesn't stop there and offers some really important tips about eating smart.  

The diet that Rory is promoting is the opposite of a fad diet.  She's simply saying that eating lots of animal products, processed foods and sugary drinks and snacks and the like is unhealthy, and that one of the best ways to keep healthy and in shape, while also helping animals and the environment, is by eating a variety of whole foods from a number of sources: nuts, legumes, vegetable, fruits, whole grains, mushrooms, seeds, etc and staying away from animal products, the vast majority of which come from factory farms and have been linked in scientific studies to obesity, heart disease and cancer.  On the other hand, most fad diets encourage dieters to eat only one type of food or food group (like Atkins) or eat lots of prepared and processed diet meals like Jenny Craig.  Many nutritionists advise people to stay away from processed foods, eat a range of whole foods and to eat little or no meat and dairy, so what Rory is promoting doesn't differ so much from the experts.  

I have never actually read the book, but I won't lie.  The first time I saw it on the shelf, I stopped and stared.  "Skinny Bitch" is one racy title.  While I don't really think being veg/vegan will make one skinny (I'm still curvy...we still have potato chips and THE BEST tofu uncheesecake i've ever had) it does make you feel better.  I have no much more energy now that i'm veg.

A movie, though? no way.  Remember how bad America rode Michael Moore's ass?  Just scaring people will just make the concept loose credibility.  Think corperate, guys!  Vegs will appriciate the movie, and it will make them more dedicated to their cause, but what about the rest of the world?  Moore got to the dirty liberals, but the nonbelievers and the conservatives discredited him completely!