15 Dec 2020
Holistic Health, Podcast, Vegan Lifestyle, Vegan Nutrition
Tags: , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Plant-Based Telehealth with Doctor Klaper, Marbas, & Miller (EP 36: The Vegan Life Coach Podcast)

You’re in for a treat today! I was extremely honored to sit down with Dr. Laurie Marbas, Dr. Michael Klaper, and Dr. Kristina Miller to talk about Plant-Based TeleHealth.

LISTEN/WATCH

Subscribe: Apple Podcast | Stitcher | Spotify |  YouTube

*Links mentioned in the episode are at the bottom of this page.

Having incredibly impressive bios is one thing (which they all do), but during this episode you’ll witness for yourself the remarkable level of expertise, professionalism, passion AND compassion that make Dr. Marbas, Dr. Miller, and Dr. Klaper extraordinary telemedicine physicians who are changing and saving lives all over the world with their work.

Plant-Based Telehealth has the mission of making Plant-Based Lifestyle Medicine available to everyone who desires it. With telemedicine, Dr. Klaper, Dr. Marbas, and Dr. Miller are removing the barriers that prevent many people from accessing this type of care.

Their services are available in 47 states, and Plant-Based Telehealth is about to increase that number with the addition of 2 new doctors. These physicians work with clients around the globe as well. 

If you’ve ever tried to find a plant-based doctor you probably know that it’s very difficult, if not impossible in most places. 

Well look no further Empowered Vegan Lifers! You can head on over to their website, plantbasedtelehealth.com where you can schedule an appointment!

Dr. Laurie Marbas

One of Dr. Marbas’s favorite mantras is, “A whole food plant based diet is often more powerful than my prescription pad.”

Dr. Marbas is a double board certified family medicine and lifestyle medicine physician, who has been utilizing food as medicine since 2012. She created a new medical model combining the power of nutrient-dense foods and intensive clinical psychological therapy to treat not only food addiction but also chronic disease.

Dr. Marbas is the Managing Editor for the Plantrician Project’s International Journal of Disease Reversal and Prevention, co-founder of Healthy Human Revolution, whose mission is to provide resources that will empower individuals with the knowledge, tools, and mindset to successfully adopt and sustain a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diet.

In Colorado, when Laurie convinced a large hospital to create a lifestyle medicine program centered around a WFPB diet, the program showed resounding success.

Laurie received her dual degrees (MD and MBA) from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and TTU School of Business. She was awarded the Texas Tech University School of Medicine Gold Headed Cane Award, a symbol for excellence in the art of medicine and the care of patients.

She wrote seven books while in medical school, six of which were in a series called “Visual Mnemonics.” These books used cartoons to help people memorize vast amounts of information—a system that helped her personally when she was a mom attending medical school. As a United States Air Force veteran, she served in the Middle East and South America. She is also a wife, mom of three grown children, host of the Healthy Human Revolution podcast, author, speaker, and avid runner.

Dr. Michael Klaper

Dr. Michael Klaper says, “Proper nutrition — through a whole food, plant-based diet — and a balanced lifestyle are essential for health and, in many cases, can make the difference between healing an illness or merely treating its symptoms.” 

Dr. Michael Klaper is a gifted clinician, internationally-recognized teacher, and sought-after speaker on diet and health. In addition to his clinical practice and private consultations with patients, he is a passionate and devoted educator of physicians and other healthcare professionals about the importance of nutrition in clinical practice and integrative medicine.

Dr. Klaper is the author of Vegan Nutrition; Pure & Simple and has produced numerous health videos, webinars and dozens of articles for both scientific journals and the popular press. As a source of inspiration advocating plant-based diets and the end of animal cruelty worldwide, Dr. Klaper contributed to the making of two PBS television programs, Food for Thought and the award-winning movie, Diet for a New America (based on the book of the same name). Dr. Klaper teaches that “Health Comes From Healthy Living” and he is dedicated to the healing and flourishing of all living beings and our planet.

Dr. Klaper’s definition of health: “Health is having a body that moves without pain, breathes without distress and allows us to perform the activities of life with complete presence and focused energy. Then, we can love fully and enjoy our lives to the fullest.”

Dr. Michael Klaper graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1972. He served a medical internship at Vancouver General Hospital in British Columbia, Canada and received training in surgery, anesthesiology and orthopedics at the University of British Columbia Hospital in Vancouver. Additionally, he was trained in obstetrics at the University of California Hospital, San Francisco. Dr. Klaper is board-certified in Urgent Care Medicine.

Dr. Christina Miller

Dr. Christina Miller’s mantra is, “Together we are healthier”

Christina Miller, MD, FACEP, is double board-certified in Emergency and Integrative Medicine.  She worked for ten years in the Emergency Department and served as president of Colorado ACEP (American College of Emergency Physicians), where she advocated for the care of emergency patients and physicians. Due to her own health concerns and the overwhelming amount of chronic disease she saw every day, she radically changed her practice to lifestyle medicine and health promotion.  She studied nutritional science and has completed a fellowship in Integrative and Functional Medicine.

 In 2013, she opened her own Lifestyle Medicine practice and founded Eat and Live Healthfully website and blog. She now focuses exclusively on nutrition and lifestyle changes to get to the root cause of disease and illness, and today helps empower people to take back their health, essentially keeping people OUT of the Emergency Department.

In 2018, Dr. Miller was medical director at Aspen Valley Hospital and created their Integrative Medicine program. She was also selected to be a member of the Pitkin County Board of Health, where she helped with policy and public health concerns. In 2019, she moved to New Hampshire, where she currently works in a local clinic seeing patients, teaching classes, giving talks, and reaching out to the community. One of her favorite mantras is, “together we are healthier”.

During this interview, these three experts and I touch on many important health-related topics, and answer some of the most pressing questions we get from you, our listeners.

Be sure to check out the Plant-Based Telehealth Website for more information on their valuable services and to book your appointment today!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Plant-Based Telehealth Website

Facebook Page

CONNECT WITH US!

Grab the valuable gift we have for you HERE.

Have a question you’d like us to answer, or feedback you’d like to give us (we love hearing from you!)? Leave us a voice (or written) message HERE.

Interested in receiving a free coaching session to air on an upcoming episode? Apply HERE.

16 Aug 2017
Going Vegan Tips, Guest Blog Posts
Tags: , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

7 Essential Kitchen Staples for the Plant-Based Diet Newbie

plant-based-diet-kitchen-stables

One of the most challenging aspects of transitioning to a plant-based diet can be re-setting your default kitchen staples, and creating a new set of “go-to” meals.

As an ex-cheese addict myself, I struggled when I first started transitioning to a vegan plant-based diet, staring at my bare cupboards and fridge and wondering what on earth I could possibly cook.

A big part of making the transition easy and maintaining a plant-based diet is changing the main foods that you automatically keep your kitchen cupboards stocked with. Many people are under the impression that eating vegan is basically code for eating expensive, but if you’re clever about it, and stock up on the right essentials, you can in fact save money! Buying in bulk and keep certain “go-to” foods stocked in your kitchen at all times is key.

Make sure you never run out of these babies (your new best friends):

  1. Chia Seedschia seeds plant-based diet staple

I can’t sing the praises of these tiny little seeds enough (apart from when they get stuck in my teeth). Chia seeds are perfect to be mixed into your cereal, sprinkled on your salads or thrown into your cakes or pancakes as an extra nutritional hit.

Chia seeds are also a wonderful egg-replacement, binding things together just like an egg does, perfect in, say, homemade vegan burgers. For a delicious dessert or even breakfast, chia seeds can be used to make guilt-free chia pudding that tastes better than it looks!

  1. Milled Linseed

Linseeds are just as wonderful as chia seeds, packed full of many of the same nutrients. Buy them milled rather than whole, and they’ll be easier for your system to digest. Use them as a different egg-replacer, add them to your smoothies, and sprinkle them on salads to add variety to your plant-based diet.

  1. Nuts

    nuts on a plant-based diet

Nuts are a plant-based diet staple for most (with the exception of people with nut allergies), as nuts are an incredible source of nutrition. Just think… There are enough nutrients inside one little nut to produce a full-sized tree! One downside is that nuts can be expensive, especially if bought in small quantities. I suggest buying in bulk and taking advantage of any 2-for-1 offers to stock up and have your walnuts, almonds or cashews on hand for your cereals, smoothie bowls, cakes, stir fries, burgers, and nut milk… Be imaginative!

  1. Tahini

I can no longer imagine a life without tahini. It seems that my old cheese addiction has been replaced by this magical paste made from protein-packed sesame seeds. Whether it’s for whipping up your own hummus or making delicious, creamy and easy salad dressings, tahini will quickly become a staple to add to your plant-based diet “go-to” list.

  1. Canned Pulses

For most busy people, remembering to put your chickpeas, lentils or beans (collectively known as pulses) to soak the night before you want to use them is often impractical. Hell, I rarely plan ahead that much, and that’s often one of the advantages of veganism: no meat to defrost in advance! For those last-minute plant-based meals, having a few cans of beans and chickpeas in the cupboard can be a lifesaver.

A great bonus of these cans is that you can use the water your pulses come in as yet another amazing egg replacer! Aquafaba (which is what chickpea or bean water is known as) whips up into peaks just like egg whites. Try it, you’ll be amazed!

  1. Dried Pulses

When you do have the time to plan ahead and meal prep for the week, dried pulses are more planet-friendly (think of all those cans you’ll save) and more pocket-friendly too. I like to boil up big batches of beans at the weekend and then freeze them in meal-sized portions. I can then use the pulses for last-minute, mid-week pasta salads or to whip up some refried beans if I fancy Mexican.

  1. Nutritional Yeast

vegan chickpea salad sandwich with nutritional yeast

Do you miss that cheesy, creamy taste after switching to a plant-based diet? Luckily for you, you don’t have to resort to dairy products to get a bit of creaminess into your life. Nutritional yeast comes in little flakes or as a powder, and is a key ingredient in all vegan cheese recipes, and any recipe that tries to replicate a wonderfully creamy texture, with absolutely none of the cruelty.

Containing lots of B vitamins and often fortified with vitamin B12, keep nutritional yeast in your kitchen cupboard and experiment with the incredible recipes out there, like this Grilled Chickpea Salad Sandwich!

By keeping your kitchen stocked up with these plant-based diet bad boys, you’ve got yourself the basics for loads of delicious vegan recipes. Keep that fridge brimming with fresh vegetables and that fruit bowl spilling over and you’ve got everything you need to keep yourself nourished and thriving for a life time!

-Katie (SleepHealthEnergy.com)

29 Mar 2016
Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Recipes
Tags: , , , , , , ,
4 Comments

Spring into Detox Salad

spring-detox-salad

Spring into Detox Salad is CRUNCHY, SWEET and SAVORY, and is the perfect easy vegan recipe to make when your body is craving nutrients, and you need a nice and hearty salad to fill you up!

I have read that cabbage has many health benefits since it is packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients; cabbage is said to be helpful with weight loss, skin care / premature aging, purifying the blood, removing toxins, and the list goes on and on and on… with all that being said, I’ll have more cabbage… PRONTO! The veggies in this healthful, satisfying salad are tossed in a delicious creamy peanut sauce with a ton of ginger which is soothing to the stomach, reduces inflammation in the body, and may even help relieve muscle soreness. This special dish is topped off with sesame seeds, a great source of a variety of minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Colorful, nutrient rich, and easy to make… give this delightful recipe a try to welcome in the spring time!spring detox salad

Spring Into Detox Salad

The Veggies:

  • 1 heaping cup chopped red cabbage
  • 1 heaping cup chopped green cabbage
  • 1 heaping cup chopped kale
  • 3-4 sliced radishes
  • 2-3 ribs of celery, diced

The Dressing:

  • A hearty 2-3 inch chunk of ginger, minced
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons fresh peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seed oil
  • 2 tablespoons tamari
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • Toasted sesame seeds (topping)

Blend together all of the ingredients for the dressing. Toss the veggies in the dressing and top with toasted sesame seeds. Eat it all up and reap the benefits!

Hope you love it as much as I do!

-Danielle

26 Feb 2016
Guest Blog Posts
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Tabouli On Fleek

tabouli on fleek

Sometimes it works to stick with tradition, but sometimes its more fun to break the rules!

This easy vegan recipe was inspired when I wanted to make tabouli for lunch, but didn’t have any cracked wheat. I improvised and used quinoa, and also decided to add a few other ingredients that you won’t find in traditional tabouli. My experimentation was a success! Eating a vegan diet is not a rigid science, rather there are so many foods that can be added and/or substituted to get what you want out of your meals. This dish is packed with plant-based protein and many other essential nutrients found in raw parsley, kale, spinach and mint. This vegan dish is also gluten free because I used quinoa instead of cracked wheat. Tabouli On Fleek can be made ahead of time for a quick lunch on-the-go, or paired with falafel and hummus to make a delicious Mediterranean Buddha bowl! You can check out Minimalist Baker for the collard greens falafel recipe that I used to go with my tabouli, and I also whipped up some roasted red pepper hummus. Go on wit yo bad self and break some (recipe) rules!tabouli on fleek

Tabouli On Fleek

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1  cup finely chopped baby kale
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped baby spinach
  • 3 bunches on flat leaf parsley finely chopped
  • One small recipe sized pack of mint, finely chopped (*In the summer when mint is abundant, I will use a lot more chopped mint!)
  • 1/2 medium sized red onion finely diced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (You could totally mince a few garlic cloves, if you prefer!)
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and  mix together!

Enjoy!

Danielle

 

 

29 Oct 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Nutrition, Vegan Recipes
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Blend Your Breakfast for Fast and Simple Nutrition!

Smoothie-vegan-breakfast

Simple solution for starting your day off with a blast of nutrition!

If you are like me and start your day long before the sun comes up chances are that you hit the snooze alarm 3 or 12 times then never have enough time to get everything done before heading out the door and dealing with morning traffic on the way to work.

With this type of schedule the most important meal of the day often becomes the most skipped meal of the day. One of my favorite ways to get fast, and more importantly healthy, meal in on the run is to make a smoothie for breakfast. These take less than 10 minutes to make.

You can even pre-stage the ingredients the night before by storing all the fruit, seeds, and greens you plan to blend in a container in the refrigerator so that all you ha4907987ve to do is dump it in your blender, add your choice of liquid base and blend!

In addition to being easy and quick to make, green smoothies are incredibly healthy and a great way to get a ton of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

One of my favorite recipes that will give you 2 servings of fruits, 2-4 servings of greens and boost of superfoods is my typical go-to early morning breakfast.

In a high-powered blender (I use a Vitamix) combine the following:

3709346

  • 2 cups of non-dairy milk (I like almond or cashew) or water
  • 1 cup of strawberries
  • 1 banana
  • 2-4 cups of leafy greens (I like kale, spinach, collard greens, and dandelion greens — if you are new to green smoothies use equal amounts of fruits and greens until you can handle the bitterness of the greens! Then go wild with them, I usually use 3-5 cups of greens.)
  • 1-2 tbsp. of peanut or almond butter
  • 1 tbsp. of chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp. of hemp seeds
  • 1-2 tbsp. of ground flax seeds / flax meal
  • Blend for 30-60 seconds and enjoy. If you’re in a hurry throw it in a blender bottle and go!
  • Extra large Beavis and Butthead mug is optional!

1188743

Stay Strong AND Healthy!

Scott

29 Jun 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Guest Blog Posts
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Five Easy Steps to go Vegan in 2015!

5-Steps-for-Going-Vegan
scottandrobert

At the 2014 Naturally Fit Games with one of my vegan inspirations, and Plantbuilt Teammate, Robert Cheeke!

Learning how to take small, easy steps to go vegan, looking at it as a day-by-day transition, is the way to making the transition a success.

Since switching to a vegan diet plan I’d have to say that aside from the obvious “where do you get your protein from” question, what I hear the most are objections to why other people just can’t do it. Usually it’s too expensive, too hard, too restrictive; when in actuality it is none of these!
Keep in mind, I never tell people what they should or shouldn’t do. I am not one of the “on my soapbox” preachy vegans. Unfortunately there tends to be some negativity around the “v-word” which is one of the reasons I try to avoid it at all cost when talking with people who don’t follow a similar lifestyle. As soon as you say, “vegan”, many people immediately become defensive even though I never push my opinion on anyone.
Now, on the flipside of that, when people start arguments with me about why we need animal protein, how you can’t get strong or build muscle without it, and other caveman or apex predator nonsense, or try to convince me that there is such a thing as “humane slaughter” I will not hesitate in calling them on their B.S. and voicing my opinion. Particularly when the people that tell me they love animals are plowing through burgers in the same breath.
It took me some time to come around to the idea of adopting a vegan diet plan and actually make the change. In hindsight it really isn’t that hard. Not at all.
That being said, here are 5 simple steps to successfully adopting a plant-based diet. If you apply one step per day, you will be 100% plant-based in less than a week. If you apply one step per week, you will be 100% plant-based in just over a month. If you require the requisite 21 days to form a habit, then simply apply one step per month and you will be 100% plant-based in just under half a year.
The take-home point here is to focus on progress and not perfection. If you follow this approach you will be looking back and agreeing with me that the whole process is really very easy.
One important point to remember is calorie intake. You will have a very hard time trying to substitute a spinach salad for a 16 oz. steak or a plate of bacon and eggs. Be sure to swap animal-based dishes with plant-based dishes of similar caloric density.
Step 1 – Cut out all red meat.
Step 2 – Cut out all white meat.
Step 3 – Cut out fish.
Step 4 – Cut out eggs and dairy.
Step 5 – Start being aware of the hidden ingredients in foods, particularly baked goods that use butter, milk, and eggs; as well as the clothes you wear, products you use, etc.
Bonus! Step 6 – Volunteer your time with an animal rescue, shelter, or rehabilitation facility and give back to those living beings who are treated as commodities. Remember, they don’t have their own voice, if you truly love animals be the voice for them and support people and organizations who dedicate their lives to animal welfare.
Now that we’ve talked about what not to eat, check out what you can eat.

  • Fruits. Spare me the “fruits are sugar and will make you fat” crap. It’s like my friend John “The Badass Vegan” Lewis says, “Fruit doesn’t make you fat. It’s that gluten-free brownie that makes you fat.”
  • Vegetables.
  • Greens.
  • Oats, rice, and other healthy sprouted or whole grains.
  • Nuts & seeds.
  • Beans & legumes.

In spite of what many people would try to have you believe, it is 100% possible to not only survive, but to totally thrive and be healthy while following a 100% plant-based diet. You can excel as an athlete as well. There are far too many real world examples of this to believe anyone who tries to tell you otherwise.
You want strength and power? Look at strongman Patrik Baboumian and NFL defensive tackle David Carter.
You want physique? Look at professional bodybuilding champion Torre “Tha Vegan Dread” Washington and IFBB professional bodybuilder Jehina Malik. A side note – Torre has been vegetarian since birth and vegan for the last 16 years and Jehina has been vegan since birth!!!
You want endurance? Look at ultra runner Scott Jurek and ultraman triathlete Rich Roll.
You want a multi-sport athlete? How about ultra runner, bodybuilder, and long distance rower Austin Barbisch.
You want verification from plant-based Registered Dietitians? Look at Matt Ruscigno and Julieanna Hever.
If you want even more examples, look at my 40+ teammates on the Plantbuilt Vegan Muscle Team at plantbuilt.com and browse the numerous profiles at veganbodybuilding.com – the website started by the original vegan bodybuilder, Robert Cheeke!
Going vegan is easy. Much easier than you would think or that it’s made out to be. Make sure you are getting a lot of fresh, raw, plant-based foods in your diet, focusing on variety. This will ensure that you are getting the entire spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that are abundant in plant foods. Throw in other steamed and cooked vegetables, healthy unprocessed grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds and you’ll be good to go! You will have all the macro- and micro-nutrients you need to be healthy and strong with your vegan diet plan.
Good luck and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask, I’m more than happy to help in any way I can!
-Scott

02 Jun 2015
Going Vegan Tips, Guest Blog Posts, Vegan Nutrition
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Should we take probiotics?

Probiotics

Probiotics always seem to be a topic of interest among health-conscious individuals.

Most of us have at least heard of probiotics, and maybe we have even tried a few products containing them when we have gotten some type of cold or other sickness (because that’s what your neighbor told you to do, or your friend’s friend has suggested it, or because you googled probiotic and the first website you read claimed probiotics are the ‘real-deal’). But I often wonder if we really understand what a probiotic is. What’s the difference between prebiotics and probiotics? And should we really trust either one? I’ve learned about these two forms of bacteria in some of my classes, I’ve done some information gathering, and I hope to clear some things up.

First things first. Let’s talk bacteria. Our gastrointestinal tract is made up of hundreds of different species of “good” bacteria, also known as our body’s microflora. This bacteria helps our body metabolize nutrients, vitamins, drugs, hormones, and carcinogens; fight against intruders; prevents pathogens from colonizing; protects us against allergies and immune disorders; and regulates our immune system (1,2). These functions of the gut flora help our body’s to function properly and prevent disease-causing bacteria (AKA the “bad” bacteria) from taking hold. Our diet and lifestyle affects the types of bacteria that live in our gut. A healthy, nutrient-dense diet helps promote the growth of the good bacteria; an unhealthy diet consisting of refined sugar and animal fat, low fiber, and antibiotic use promotes the bad bacteria. This is where probiotics and prebiotics come into play. People frequently believe their diet can be “fixed” with supplementation, including probiotics.

I find that the definition of probiotics is often confusing, but Dr. Joel Fuhrman explains it best:

“The term probiotics is used both for the beneficial bacteria that are native to our intestinal tract and for supplemental live bacterial organisms that are thought to be beneficial when ingested. However, the (limited) bacteria in supplemental probiotics and fermented foods are not the same as the indigenous bacterial flora that live in the gut. Supplemental probiotics serve a beneficial role–but mostly when the normal native bacteria have been harmed or removed with antibiotic use or perverted with a diet of sweets and processed foods (1).”

He goes on to explain that it can take months to reestablish the good microflora and that a healthy diet needs to be maintained in order to do so. Probiotic bacteria that come from supplements drop within days when supplementation stops. This begins to explain why a healthy diet is the most important factor in promoting the right type of bacteria in our gut–not occasional probiotic supplementation.

There are many studies that have been done regarding probiotics, but the evidence is mixed when it comes to its effectiveness (1). For this reason more research needs to be done before we can proclaim that probiotics are the real deal. That being said, there are a few conditions that have been shown to benefit most from probiotics, including antibiotic associated diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (2). For more information regarding probiotics, check out Dr. Fuhrman’s article: What are probiotics?).

So, why is a healthy diet the most important factor in promoting the good bacteria? The good bacteria (and even probiotics themselves), feed off of non-digestible carbohydrate sources, resistant starch and fibers coming from vegetables, fruit, and legumes. These types of food act as prebiotics, which support the growth and activity of the good bacteria. They are found in foods like onions, garlic, asparagus, leeks, artichokes, oats, and bananas (2,3). It is not necessary to eat fermented foods such as yogurt and kefir to have beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract (1). A whole-food diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes (AKA a high fiber, resistant starch and carbohydrate diet consisting of natural prebiotics) will provide enough of the favorable bacteria in our gut to keep us healthy and functioning at our best.

Probiotics may be helpful for some people under certain conditions, but I hope more research is completed in the future so we can determine their safety and effectiveness. As of right now, the evidence regarding the benefits of prebiotics from whole, plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables is our best bet when we want to keep our good bacteria in check. When you’re feeling sick, think about how your diet has been over the last few months or even the last few weeks. Are you fueling your microflora with healthy foods (prebiotics), or are you encouraging the growth of the “bad” bacteria?

This photo comes from PCRM.org:

healthy-gut-bacteria

This is a really good video video from nutritionfacts.org regarding probiotics and prebiotics.

  1. Furhman, Joel. Super Immunity: The Essential Nutrition Guide for Boosting Your Body’s Defenses to Live Longer, Stronger, and Disease Free. Harper One. 2012. pp. 89; 151-153. Print.
  2. “Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits.” MDPI. Web.: https://www.pcrm.org/media/online/sept2014/seven-foods-to-supercharge-your-gut-bacteria
  3. “Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits.” MDPI. Web.: https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/probiotics.aspx#_ENREF_1
  4. “Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits.” MDPI. Web.
12 Apr 2015
Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
3 Comments

New member!

Sheila Shlegel Vegan Nutrition Student

Hello Sexy Fit Vegan community! This is my first blog post as a Sexy Fit Vegan member. I thought a quick introduction would be nice before I jumped right in! It’s very exciting to start this new journey and be a part of such a wonderful organization that Ella started.

Just like Ella, I am very passionate about the wonderful benefits of a plant-based diet and a fit lifestyle. There is no question that many women (and men!) are frustrated with their weight and health overall. There are way too many contradictions and advertisements floating around for that quick fix remedy or pill. One of the wonderful things about Sexy Fit Vegan is the consistency of information. There are no pills or magic potions or unrealistic promises, and there certainly is no starving yourself! A whole, plant-based diet with regular physical activity has consistently shown to improve your quality of life1,2.

Including a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes offers wonderful benefits, but a healthy body is also an active body. That is one of my favorite things about Sexy Fit Vegan: the belief that a plant-based diet is most beneficial but also that a physical lifestyle is just as important! They are the yin and yang to a healthy body.

I am currently in graduate school obtaining my Master’s in Dietetics and Nutrition and so far I have learned so many things that I am eager to share with you. Many of my blog posts will be sharing current information I am learning and I will do my best to provide any empirical research to back up most of my posts, and not just something I personally believe in!

Follow my board on pinterest for a ton of healthy and delicious plant-based recipes. Thanks again Ella for having me on your team! 🙂

Until next time!

Sheila Schlegel

<3 Sheila

  1. Tuso, MD, P., H Ismail, MD, M., Ha, MD, B., & Bartolotto, MA, RD, C. (2013). Nutritional Update for Physicians: Plant-Based Diets. The Permanente Journal, 61-66. Retrieved April, 2015, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/
  1. Frank W. Booth, Ph.D., Christian K. Roberts, Ph.D., and Matthew J. Laye, Ph.D. Lack of exercise is a major cause of chronic diseases. Compr Physiol. 2012 Apr; 2(2): 1143–1211. Retrieved April 2015, from doi: 10.1002/cphy.c110025