--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some people think the plant-based…" description: "\"“Some people think the plant-based, whole-foods diet is extreme. Half a million people a year will have their chests opened up and a vein taken from th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/650/russell-simmons-900_diet_some-people-think-the-plant-based-whole_2272706.png" --- # Some people think the plant-based, whole-foods diet is… ![“Some people think the plant-based, whole-foods diet is extreme. Half a million people a year will have their chests opened up and a vein taken from their leg and sewn onto their coronary artery. Some people would call that extreme.” —DR. CALDWELL ESSELSTYN N” quote by Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/650/russell-simmons-900_diet_some-people-think-the-plant-based-whole_2272706.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/650/russell-simmons-900_diet_some-people-think-the-plant-based-whole_2272706.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/650/russell-simmons-900_diet_some-people-think-the-plant-based-whole_2272706.png) > ““Some people think the plant-based, whole-foods diet is extreme. Half a million people a year will have their chests opened up and a vein taken from their leg and sewn onto their coronary artery. Some people would call that extreme.” —DR. CALDWELL ESSELSTYN N”” [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts perceived dietary extremism with the extreme medical procedure of heart surgery, suggesting that the latter is more drastic. **In simple terms:** Heart surgery is more extreme than a plant diet. Key Takeaway Recognize true medical risks. Themes health diet risk perception Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical reflective When to use this quote - dietary choices - medical decisions - public health messaging - personal health choices Key Concepts medical ethics public perception extremism Questions to Reflect On - Is a plant-based diet truly less risky? - How do we weigh lifestyle changes against medical interventions? A Different Perspective The quote may oversimplify complex health decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Diet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diet/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) ## Related quotes > [Some people think plant-based diet, whole foods diet is extreme. Half a million people a year will have their chests opened up and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caldwell-esselstyn/some-people-think-plant-based-diet-whole-foods-diet-is-extreme-half-a/) [Caldwell Esselstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caldwell-esselstyn/) > [There are so many amazing plant-based foods out there that I don't feel the urge to eat tofu bacon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-woodward/there-are-so-many-amazing-plant-based-foods-out-there-that-i-don-t/) [Ella Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-woodward/) > [In short, it is about the multiple health benefits of consuming plant-based foods, and the largely unappreciated health dangers of consuming animal-based foods, including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-colin-campbell/in-short-it-is-about-the-multiple-health-benefits-of-consuming-plant/) [T. Colin Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-colin-campbell/) > [There is absolutely no nutrient, no protein, no vitamin, no mineral that can't be obtained from plant-based foods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-klaper/there-is-absolutely-no-nutrient-no-protein-no-vitamin-no-mineral-that/) [Michael Klaper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-klaper/) > [There are tons of vitamins and minerals you'll get in plant-based foods that are not soluble if you don't eat fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damaris-phillips/there-are-tons-of-vitamins-and-minerals-you-ll-get-in-plant-based/) [Damaris Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damaris-phillips/) > [I rarely eat red meat and only occasionally eat fish. Plant based foods are my main source of nutrition along with nuts, fruits, brown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-player/i-rarely-eat-red-meat-and-only-occasionally-eat-fish-plant-based/) [Gary Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-player/) > [As an athlete, if you train your body but don't fuel it the right way, that doesn't make much sense. Adopting a plant-based diet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-gasol/as-an-athlete-if-you-train-your-body-but-don-t-fuel-it-the-right-way/) [Marc Gasol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-gasol/) > [I tried to take my diet to a more extreme place, but it wasn't for me. It was taking too much time and energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-fraser/i-tried-to-take-my-diet-to-a-more-extreme-place-but-it-wasn-t-for-me/) [Mat Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-fraser/) > [Neither am I on an extreme diet nor am I on an extreme workout.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-fernandez/neither-am-i-on-an-extreme-diet-nor-am-i-on-an-extreme-workout/) [Jacqueline Fernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-fernandez/) > [The single most impactful thing you can do today is adopt a more plant-based diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louie-psihoyos/the-single-most-impactful-thing-you-can-do-today-is-adopt-a-more/) [Louie Psihoyos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louie-psihoyos/) > [One of the first things that I tried doing in terms of taking action on a personal level was trying this campaign called meatless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidan-gallagher/one-of-the-first-things-that-i-tried-doing-in-terms-of-taking-action/) [Aidan Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidan-gallagher/) > [“A Plant-based diet is a diet sourced mostly from plants; it may be very strict in its focus on plant foods, or it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-prince/a-plant-based-diet-is-a-diet-sourced-mostly-from-plants-it-may-be/) Jennifer Prince > [We can save more lives with plant-based diet if people would only realize they are enslaved to fats, oil, sugar and things that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-adams/we-can-save-more-lives-with-plant-based-diet-if-people-would-only/) [Eric Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-adams/) > [Though I'm vegan and advocate that others eat a plant-based diet, I know that many people aren't quite ready to take that step in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-freston/though-i-m-vegan-and-advocate-that-others-eat-a-plant-based-diet-i/) [Kathy Freston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-freston/) > [My plant-based diet plus fish is to credit for my low blood pressure, high energy, and robust immunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-h-murdock/my-plant-based-diet-plus-fish-is-to-credit-for-my-low-blood-pressure/) [David H. Murdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-h-murdock/) ## More by Russell Simmons > [I'm born into the cycle of giving that we're all born into, and I recognize it. So just because something is a good business,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/i-m-born-into-the-cycle-of-giving-that-we-re-all-born-into-and-i/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [Compassion is the ultimate expression of your highest self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/compassion-is-the-ultimate-expression-of-your-highest-self/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [If you don't break a hole through the brick wall, don't just start digging a new hole. Keep going until you break through that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/if-you-don-t-break-a-hole-through-the-brick-wall-don-t-just-start/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [A large portion of American citizens, especially people of color, have lost confidence in our criminal justice system. Many have called for appointing special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/a-large-portion-of-american-citizens-especially-people-of-color-have/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [There's one overriding issue, namely, that we live in a police state so long as the police get to police themselves. And that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/there-s-one-overriding-issue-namely-that-we-live-in-a-police-state-so/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [I used to think anxiety and insomnia drove me to success, but it was the stillness that let me be good at anything. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/i-used-to-think-anxiety-and-insomnia-drove-me-to-success-but-it-was/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [ \[Performing artists\] are making greater percentages. People are going to live events more and it's a big success story for everyone - except the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/performing-artists-are-making-greater-percentages-people-are-going-to/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [I think I will always have a connection to young people, to try to bring their voices to the polls, bring their voices wherever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/i-think-i-will-always-have-a-connection-to-young-people-to-try-to/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [The best defense for any group of people is what we do to defend other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/the-best-defense-for-any-group-of-people-is-what-we-do-to-defend/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [You have to be present, awake and happy now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/you-have-to-be-present-awake-and-happy-now/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [Culture in America and everywhere else comes from the suffering, from those who don't want the old ways. They want to bring in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/culture-in-america-and-everywhere-else-comes-from-the-suffering-from/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [I try to use my voice. I know that celebrity is valuable, and people do listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/i-try-to-use-my-voice-i-know-that-celebrity-is-valuable-and-people-do/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [They're lacking culture in Hollywood. That gives me a big up, right? I know something about pop culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/they-re-lacking-culture-in-hollywood-that-gives-me-a-big-up-right-i/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [Meditation helps everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/meditation-helps-everything/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [If you talk about the prison-industrial complex, I've fought against the prison-industrial complex when I called for a repeal of the Rockefeller drug laws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/if-you-talk-about-the-prison-industrial-complex-i-ve-fought-against/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) [Explore all 335 Russell Simmons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) ## More Diet quotes > [I don't think I've ever bench-pressed anything in my life. Until about two years ago I swam a mile almost every day. Then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-antosca/i-don-t-think-i-ve-ever-bench-pressed-anything-in-my-life-until-about/) [Nick Antosca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-antosca/) > [My soul is dark with stormy riot: directly traced over to diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-hoffenstein/my-soul-is-dark-with-stormy-riot-directly-traced-over-to-diet/) [Samuel Hoffenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-hoffenstein/) > [A significant number of research studies have documented that heart disease is easily and almost completely preventable through a diet rich in plant produce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-fuhrman/a-significant-number-of-research-studies-have-documented-that-heart/) [Joel Fuhrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-fuhrman/) > [I'll only diet for a Marvel movie. I will give up bacon and waffles to be Storm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-james/i-ll-only-diet-for-a-marvel-movie-i-will-give-up-bacon-and-waffles-to/) [Janelle James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-james/) > [One day I was running around playing with my son Connor when afterwards I was sweating, tired and out of breath. I was embarrassed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-carey/one-day-i-was-running-around-playing-with-my-son-connor-when/) [Drew Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-carey/) > [I think, for me, I really looked at nutrition, talked to some people who knew a lot about nutrition, looked at different meal plans...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-show/i-think-for-me-i-really-looked-at-nutrition-talked-to-some-people-who/) [Big Show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-show/) > [I stagger out of bed, take the dogs outside, and then I'll get a Diet Coke and a couple of dog biscuits and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-stagger-out-of-bed-take-the-dogs-outside-and-then-i-ll-get-a-diet/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [As an athlete, if you train your body but don't fuel it the right way, that doesn't make much sense. Adopting a plant-based diet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-gasol/as-an-athlete-if-you-train-your-body-but-don-t-fuel-it-the-right-way/) [Marc Gasol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-gasol/) > [“I’m a big believer in cooking your own meals. It makes it much easier not only to ensure that you eat fresh foods but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ori-hofmekler/i-m-a-big-believer-in-cooking-your-own-meals-it-makes-it-much-easier/) [Ori Hofmekler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ori-hofmekler/) > [I decided to pick the diet that I thought would maximize my chances of long-term survival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/i-decided-to-pick-the-diet-that-i-thought-would-maximize-my-chances/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [“These findings—the contents of Part II of this book—show that heart disease, diabetes and obesity can be reversed by a healthy diet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-colin-campbell/these-findings-the-contents-of-part-ii-of-this-book-show-that-heart/) [T. Colin Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-colin-campbell/) > [I basically follow a modified Zone Diet. I have my food prepared weekly and eat 6 times a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-liddell/i-basically-follow-a-modified-zone-diet-i-have-my-food-prepared/) [Chuck Liddell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-liddell/) > [“... the Possession Diet. It's fast. It works. It introduces you to new, healthier foods. And it's almost never fatal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-dolley/the-possession-diet-it-s-fast-it-works-it-introduces-you-to-new/) [Chris Dolley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-dolley/) > [If I were to organize somebody's diet I would first of all ensure they were getting enough protein, make sure it is the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-yates/if-i-were-to-organize-somebody-s-diet-i-would-first-of-all-ensure/) [Dorian Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-yates/) > [What every human being should do is eat a vegetarian diet based on whole foods. Period. That's it. Animal protein is bad for you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/what-every-human-being-should-do-is-eat-a-vegetarian-diet-based-on/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) [Browse all 1,502 Diet quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diet/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Some people think the plant-based, whole-foods diet is extreme. Half a million people a year will have their chests opened up and a vein taken from their leg and sewn onto their coronary artery. Some people would call that extreme.” —DR. 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