What is Plant-Based Nutrition?

The perfect ideology about eating can be summed up by the Father of Modern Medicine, Hippocrates, when he said: “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”. I propose that the ultimate epitome of medicinal consumption is a whole food, plant-based diet. What is plant-based nutrition? It sounds like a vegan diet. It also may seem like a diet where the participant grazes on grass all day long, similar to a cow. However, there is a beautiful synergy between all of these terms and it all winds down to a perfect way of eating…one that creates health; prevents and even reverses disease; assists with weight loss; and enhances energy, endurance, beauty and strength.

There is currently a vast enormity of scientific data that confirms and substantiates the fact that a whole food, plant-based diet creates health. There is decades of evidence showing that the Standard American Diet (SAD; high-fat, high-protein, low nutrient) is the cause of the growing incidence of heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and many other chronic diseases. Ultimately, no matter what your genetic destiny, these diseases can be prevented and reversed and it all depends on what is at the end of your fork…

There are two components to eating for health…what you choose not to eat and what you should eat. The worst products to put into your body includes animal protein, fat, processed “foods”, artificial colors/flavors, preservatives, and chemicals. On the other hand, what your body and immune system need to thrive and protect itself is a variety of plants, namely: grains, legumes, vegetables and fruit…the new four food groups.

Research demonstrates the fact that animal protein itself (including that from eggs, dairy, fish, fowl, red meat, and pork) can turn on and off carcinogenesis (cancer formation). Additionally, the further you get from nature (meaning, the more processed the food), the closer you get to disease formation.

Conversely, plant-based, whole foods are full of phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They are nutrient-dense and flood the body with usable compounds to build immunity, fight disease, re-build, detoxify and maintain health. The more of these nutrients you consume, the stronger your immune system will be.



To learn more, check out my website: http://www.plantbaseddietitian.com/

Why Plant-Based?

I read John Robbins’ book, Diet for a New America, when I was a young adult. It branded me for life. I tried profusely to become a vegetarian immediately after the conclusion of this book and experiencing the truth behind our food. Unfortunately, this was an uphill battle at a pinnacle of battle I had not yet fought. I did not realize I would be fighting my parents, my friends, myself as I waged this war to save the environment; stop the painful mutilation, torture and murder of innocent animals; and protect my body from the brutal damage a Standard American Diet defends. It has been a long journey as I struggled to research, read, and absorb as much information as possible; to be able to confirm and then defend the facts. But I have finally come to this sacred place…the point at which I have no further doubt. I have successfully completed a Dietetic Internship after spending weeks and months in hospitals, schools, offices and classrooms. I have finished a graduate degree in nutrition despite the vast support from the super-powerful and economically endowed food and drug industries. And, here I am…alone with what I have gathered from decades of homework, reading and gathering. I am a plant-based dietitian confident in my steadfast decision to avoid animal products, to not allow my children to be sucked in by the vacuum of money-driven propaganda. Although I am constantly faced with dissidence, I have taken a stance, for good or for bad, in sickness and in health, until death do I depart my viewpoint.

Working Out with Fitness on the Run!

I had such a post-New Year's treat yesterday! Cari Ham, from Fitness on the Run, gave me a fantastic workout that I can do at home with absolutely no equipment. It was simple, fun and worked every body part in just a few short minutes. I can't wait to get trained by Cari, the super-trainer, again!

My First Cooking Demo with Jon Ham...Vindaloo Veggie Stirfry

My all-time favorite type of cuisine is Indian. My husband and I have very close friends who make us delicious, homestyle, vegan Indian recipes. The problem is that every time I try to make the dishes myself or try recipes, they taste nothing like the authentic dishes. The reason for this is the complex, diverse and vast amount of spices and herbs that create the magic. I often wish I was born in India just so I could have a natural understanding of how to use these spices to create the delectable flavors and fragrances that I have come to adore.

When Jon Ham of Fitness on the Run told me he has a client named Basu who makes homestyle Indian sauces and sells them at Whole Foods, I got so excited...I had to try them all!

And we did. This is the first one we tried...a vindaloo sauce. I decided to make a veggie stirfry served on a bed of brown rice. We used scallions, red pepper, broccoli, mushrooms and a bit of vegetable broth to saute the veggies in. So easy and the sauce makes it incredibly delicious! Plus, it is filled with phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber! Cheers!

My Interview with Author and Filmmaker, Mike Anderson

My interview with Mike Anderson came out this past Monday on Meatless Mondays. He is a filmmaker, medical researcher and the author of the books The RAVE Diet and Healing Cancer From Inside Out, and the creator of the award-winning films, Eating and Healing Cancer From Inside Out.

Because Meatless Monday has to limit the length of articles, I want to share the full-length interview that we did. It is full of great information and shares his passion for eating healthy and mastering your own health!

Jon Ham interview with Me!

My Interview with Jon Ham