Plant-Based Beginner Plant-Based Articles - Center for Nutrition Studies https://nutritionstudies.org/t/plant-based-beginner/ Food. Science. Health. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:07:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 Make It Tasty: How Food Descriptions Impact Our Choices https://nutritionstudies.org/make-it-tasty-how-food-descriptions-impact-our-choices/ Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:00:15 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=55638 What sounds better—a healthy, low-fat vegan black bean burger or a 10-spice smoky black bean burger? What if I told you they were exactly the same? Research has shown that most people gravitate more toward foods described by flavor, not healthfulness. Buffet-style dining halls located at five different college campuses were assigned to use three … Continued

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Written by Alexandria Huber-Disla.

]]> The Undercover Vegan: How Ramona Is Changing Herself to Help Others https://nutritionstudies.org/the-undercover-vegan-how-ramona-is-changing-herself-to-help-others/ Mon, 15 Sep 2025 17:19:58 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=55437 Let’s go back to 1999. That’s when my life was turned upside down. I had so many chronic illnesses that it would take a week to list them all. My doctors stopped all my medications, and I stepped away from meat, though I didn’t yet know about the whole food, plant-based (WFPB) journey. I had … Continued

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Written by Ramona Baptiste.

]]> WFPB Nutrition Fuels Faster and Stronger Half-Marathon https://nutritionstudies.org/wfpb-nutrition-fuels-faster-and-stronger-half-marathon/ Thu, 11 Apr 2024 11:15:14 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=52113 Meet Dr. Laurie. I started working with her around six months ago. She was 53 years young and had already adopted a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) lifestyle, but she was struggling to shift her body composition. Her goal was to lose body fat while building quality lean muscle. Being a doctor, she understood the importance … Continued

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Written by Maxime Sigouin.

]]> The Case for a Cold Turkey Approach to Animal Foods: A Selection From T. Colin Campbell’s Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition https://nutritionstudies.org/the-case-for-a-cold-turkey-approach-to-animal-foods/ Sat, 03 Feb 2024 07:08:20 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=51705 This short excerpt from Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition addresses a common question: Is it necessary to be 100 percent adherent to a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diet 100 percent of the time?

The post The Case for a Cold Turkey Approach to Animal Foods: A Selection From T. Colin Campbell’s <em>Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition</em> appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by T. Colin Campbell, PhD.

]]> Nancy Condon’s New Lease on Life: How She Found Support and Success with CNS Kitchen https://nutritionstudies.org/nancy-condons-new-lease-on-life-how-she-found-support-and-success-with-cns-kitchen/ Fri, 18 Nov 2022 10:58:10 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=44963 My whole food, plant-based (WFPB) journey started when I joined the CNS Kitchen community, led by Sharme Ridley and Del Sroufe, and participated in a WFPB Wellness Challenge. At first, the transition was difficult for me, but thanks to the kindness and support of my newly discovered community, I turned that rocky beginning into a … Continued

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Written by Nancy Condon.

]]> Kathy Plaza Avoided High Blood Pressure Medication by Adopting a WFPB Lifestyle https://nutritionstudies.org/kathy-plaza-avoided-high-blood-pressure-medication-by-adopting-a-wfpb-lifestyle/ Fri, 07 Oct 2022 14:00:16 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=44354 Kathy Plaza gained 50 unwanted pounds and developed high blood pressure after menopause. At the age of 68, hoping to avoid HBP medication, she decided to do something about it. She’s 75 now and still going strong with her WFPB, SOS-free diet.

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Written by Kathy Plaza.

]]> Healthy Plant-Based Meat Substitutes https://nutritionstudies.org/healthy-plant-based-meat-substitutes/ Fri, 16 Sep 2022 13:55:53 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=44119 New meat substitutes are appearing on grocery store shelves all the time, and many may be healthier than their animal-based counterparts. But are they actually good for you? And if not, what should you eat instead? You might love a good burger, hot dog, or pepperoni pizza, but the vegan versions of these classic animal-based … Continued

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Written by Chef Del Sroufe.

]]> The Best Tips for Cooking Without Oil https://nutritionstudies.org/top-tips-for-cooking-without-oil/ Thu, 01 Sep 2022 10:56:31 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=44005 There are a plethora of reasons to avoid consuming oil, here are some tips if you are looking to transition to oil-free cooking.

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Written by Chef Del Sroufe.

]]> At the age of 55 Karla Freeze changed her life with a plant-based diet https://nutritionstudies.org/at-the-age-of-55-karla-freeze-changed-her-life-with-a-plant-based-diet/ Wed, 01 Jun 2022 17:47:07 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=42859 After realizing Alzheimer's was affecting her loved ones, Karla was determined to find a healthier way forward. In doing so she regained her health and lost 236 pounds.

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Written by Karla Freeze.

]]> How a Breast Cancer Diagnosis Led Me to a Plant-Based Diet https://nutritionstudies.org/how-a-breast-cancer-diagnosis-led-me-to-a-plant-based-diet/ Wed, 11 May 2022 01:04:27 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=42525 After a cancer diagnosis, Kelly got serious about her health for the first time in her life. Here’s her road to adopting a whole food, plant-based diet to save her life.

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Written by Kelly Klepfer.

]]> How I Shed A Third of My Body Weight & Regained My Health https://nutritionstudies.org/how-i-shed-a-third-of-my-body-weight-regained-my-health/ Sat, 07 May 2022 14:00:48 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=42334 After being rushed to the hospital with a life-threatening illness in 2009, Jeanne Schumacher discovered the profound power of whole food, plant-based nutrition. Read her inspirational story of discovery, recovery, and giving back.

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Written by Jeanne Schumacher, M.Ed., Ed.D.

]]> Weight Loss With Plants Episode 2 – Kelly Houseman https://nutritionstudies.org/weight-loss-with-plants-episode-2-kelly-houseman/ Thu, 07 Apr 2022 13:00:27 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=41523 Tune in to see how committing to a WFPB lifestyle change affected Kelly’s weight loss and the management of her metastatic breast cancer.

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Written by Sharme Ridley, MEd, EdS.

]]> Weight Loss With Plants Episode 4 – Ben and Esther Loveridge https://nutritionstudies.org/weight-loss-with-plants-episode-4-ben-and-esther-loveridge/ Fri, 01 Apr 2022 13:00:35 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=41712 Not everyone will be ready for change at the same time. Setting a good example and being patient, especially with loved ones, goes a long way toward nourishing healthy behaviors.

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Written by Sharme Ridley, MEd, EdS.

]]> How These 9 Professionals Use Their Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate https://nutritionstudies.org/how-graduates-use-their-plant-based-nutrition-certificates/ Wed, 30 Mar 2022 15:36:16 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=40597 Learn how these professionals use the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies to complement their careers with the Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate.

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Written by Center for Nutrition Studies.

]]> Overcoming My Junk Food Addiction https://nutritionstudies.org/overcoming-my-junk-food-addiction/ Tue, 15 Mar 2022 13:00:29 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=40461 Knowing what to eat is only the first step. The psychological barriers of lifestyle change are very real, and often intensely personal.

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Written by Evon Dennis.

]]> Steps to Go from Meat Eating to Whole Food, Plant-Based https://nutritionstudies.org/steps-to-go-from-meat-eating-to-whole-food-plant-based/ Thu, 10 Mar 2022 17:22:11 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=41605 Optimal health isn’t just a switch you can flip. It often takes a long time to achieve our health goals, with many unforeseen stages between here and there.

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Written by Elizabeth Hubbell.

]]> Mistakes We Make When Going Plant Based & How to Avoid Them https://nutritionstudies.org/mistakes-we-make-when-going-plant-based-how-to-avoid-them/ Tue, 01 Mar 2022 18:10:34 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=41530 There are many challenges when switching to a new lifestyle, and your challenges are often going to be unique to your particular situation. Your background, your environment, the support systems that you choose to take advantage of—all of these can have a major impact on your success.

The post Mistakes We Make When Going Plant Based & How to Avoid Them appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Chef Del Sroufe.

]]> Weight Loss With Plants Episode 1 – Tim & Heather Kaufman https://nutritionstudies.org/weight-loss-with-plants-episode-1-tim-heather-kaufman/ Fri, 25 Feb 2022 17:28:56 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=41479 Watch this inspirational video to learn how two members of our WFPB community have not just lost nearly 300 pounds, but also gained a new lease on life.

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Written by Sharme Ridley, MEd, EdS.

]]> Plant-Based Nutrition Student Spotlight: Tig Notaro https://nutritionstudies.org/plant-based-nutrition-student-spotlight-tig-notaro/ Fri, 17 Dec 2021 18:10:11 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=40535 Internationally-recognized comedian shares her plant-based journey, and her passion for helping others along the path toward better health.

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Written by Tig Notaro.

]]> Mel’s Plant-Based Journey From Heart Disease to Health https://nutritionstudies.org/mels-plant-based-journey-from-heart-disease-to-health/ Fri, 10 Dec 2021 18:14:58 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=40500 Never underestimate the power of planting the seeds of change in others. Let yourself be a good example and a resource for transformation.

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Written by Sherry Shrallow, LCSW.

]]> Married Couple Find Renewed Health & Lose a Combined 200 lbs With a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet https://nutritionstudies.org/married-couple-find-renewed-health-lose-a-combined-200-lbs-with-a-whole-food-plant-based-diet/ Wed, 08 Dec 2021 15:01:55 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=40445 There’s no such thing as “too late.” Choosing health can have a profound effect on your life, and enrich the lives of those around you.

The post Married Couple Find Renewed Health & Lose a Combined 200 lbs With a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Esther Loveridge.

]]> What Is a Processed Food vs a Whole Food? https://nutritionstudies.org/what-is-a-processed-food-vs-a-whole-food/ Thu, 02 Dec 2021 18:19:53 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=40302 There’s a lot of talk about “processed” foods, but what does the distinction mean, and is it the most helpful way to think about your food choices?

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Written by Thomas Campbell, MD.

]]> From Plant to Planet: Nudge your way towards healthier, more sustainable food habits (Book Excerpt) https://nutritionstudies.org/book-excerpt-from-plant-to-planet-nudge-your-way-towards-healthier-more-sustainable-food-habits/ Tue, 02 Nov 2021 21:13:39 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=39845 In this excerpt, authors of From Plant to Planet identify and address the most common barriers that prevent dietary lifestyle change.

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Written by Vivienne Alexa Robinson & Poornima Luthra, PhD.

]]> Never Too Late: Reversing My Heart Disease on a WFPB Diet at 80 https://nutritionstudies.org/never-too-late-reversing-my-heart-disease-on-a-wfpb-diet-at-80/ Fri, 22 Oct 2021 21:38:07 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=39497 Al Schmidt shows you’re never too old to make changes to reverse heart disease. Although it was a bumpy road getting there, Al has found he loves eating plant-based — for the results and the taste of it!

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Written by Al Schmidt.

]]> WFPB Success: Changing My Life in 20 Days https://nutritionstudies.org/wfpb-success-changing-my-life-in-20-days/ Sat, 04 Sep 2021 12:00:25 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=38819 Many people rationalize not switching to a whole food, plant-based lifestyle, even if their heart and their gut tells them to. Beverly, a winner of Chef Del’s Diet Daze 20-Day Challenge, tells us what finally made her prioritize the switch to a healthier way of life.

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Written by Beverly Valley.

]]> I Reversed My Type 2 Diabetes With a Plant-Based Diet & Help From My Mom https://nutritionstudies.org/i-reversed-my-type-2-diabetes-with-a-plant-based-diet-help-from-my-mom/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:30:10 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=38662 Which sounds better—a lifetime of prescription drugs, or a fast-acting dietary lifestyle change that only has positive side effects?

The post I Reversed My Type 2 Diabetes With a Plant-Based Diet & Help From My Mom appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Jeff Darden.

]]> Chef Del’s Plant-Based Secret Ingredients https://nutritionstudies.org/chef-dels-secret-garden-gems-garlic-scapes-carrot-tops-beet-greens/ Mon, 30 Aug 2021 13:13:10 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=38642 Most people are used to throwing away perfectly edible, nutritious, and tasty plant parts. Learn how you can use them to elevate your cooking!

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Written by Chef Del Sroufe.

]]> Weight Loss & Cancer Management: How Whole Food, Plant-Based Support Helped Kelly https://nutritionstudies.org/weight-loss-cancer-management-how-whole-food-plant-based-support-helped-kelly/ Wed, 04 Aug 2021 15:30:35 +0000 https://nutritionstudies.org/?p=38013 After years of on-and-off whole food, plant-based eating, Kelly fully committed to the WFPB lifestyle change and found great success in weight loss and managing her metastatic breast cancer.

The post Weight Loss & Cancer Management: How Whole Food, Plant-Based Support Helped Kelly appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Kelly Houseman.

]]> How To Get Your Vitamin D from Mushrooms https://nutritionstudies.org/how-to-get-your-vitamin-d-from-mushrooms/ Sat, 24 Jul 2021 13:00:58 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=37906 Most people derive their vitamin D from exposure to the sun, but what do you do when you can’t get enough sunshine? Many rely on vitamin D supplements, but can eating mushrooms be an option? There are a few things to know...

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Written by Josh Wayne, MSW, MPH.

]]> A Registered Dietitian’s Professional & Personal Journey to WFPB Nutrition https://nutritionstudies.org/a-registered-dietitians-professional-personal-journey-to-wfpb-nutrition-a-seed-that-blossomed/ Thu, 22 Jul 2021 13:00:16 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=37817 One book changed the entire trajectory of this Registered Dietitian’s career and life. Read about Didem’s journey on a whole food, plant-based diet and the changes it made for her, large and small.

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Written by Didem Varol, RD.

]]> After Eating Plant-Based Daniel Said Goodbye to 160 lbs, Sleep Apnea, & Type 2 Diabetes https://nutritionstudies.org/after-eating-plant-based-daniel-said-goodbye-to-160-lbs-sleep-apnea-type-2-diabetes/ Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:46:20 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=37459 Daniel Caracciolo is a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) advocate who found great success in weight loss following this lifestyle. He is training for his first triathlon and aims to start a plant-based meal prep and catering business.

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Written by Daniel Caracciolo.

]]> Chef, I’m Going Plant-Based. What Can I Eat? https://nutritionstudies.org/chef-im-going-plant-based-what-can-i-eat/ Thu, 08 Jul 2021 15:30:17 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=37371 Many people considering a plant-based diet initially focus on what they can’t eat. Here we explore the huge range of what you can eat, including several substitutes to use to make your old favorites.

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Written by Chef Del Sroufe.

]]> How Strict Does My Plant-Based Diet Need To Be? https://nutritionstudies.org/how-strict-does-my-plant-based-diet-need-to-be/ Wed, 23 Jun 2021 16:34:45 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=37294 Will a tiny bit of oil really hurt you? Can a whole food, plant-based diet be followed just part time? These questions and others are answered by Dr. Thomas Campbell.

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Written by Thomas Campbell, MD.

]]> Culture Change through Accessible WFPB Program https://nutritionstudies.org/culture-change-through-accessible-wfpb-program/ Fri, 30 Apr 2021 13:20:20 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=36350 The following is an article from a Community Grant recipient. To hear more from Dr. Ted Barnett, register for the Plant Forward Virtual Workshop Series. During my years as a physician, I have observed a society that has become sicker and sicker despite steady improvements to technology and increased medical expenditures. Fairly early on in … Continued

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Written by Ted D. Barnett, MD.

]]> 4 Reasons Why Superfoods Can Be Dangerous https://nutritionstudies.org/reasons-why-superfoods-can-be-dangerous/ Fri, 29 Jan 2021 19:35:33 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=33941 The concept of “superfoods” is an old one, but it has become even more popular as sections of society have become more health conscious and desperate to combat chronic lifestyle-related diseases. Unfortunately, this focus on individual foods has downsides, even in the case of legitimately healthful foods.

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Written by Nelson Huber-Disla.

]]> Diversity and Culture: The Missing Link Between Food and Health https://nutritionstudies.org/diversity-and-culture-the-missing-link-between-food-and-health/ Mon, 25 Jan 2021 15:11:47 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=33841 The lack of representation of different cultures within the plant-based movement is glaring and the consequences are real. There is an abundance of research showing that culture and culturally relevant nutrition interventions are important for diet change and weight loss among Black and Asian Americans.

The post Diversity and Culture: The Missing Link Between Food and Health appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Isabel Lu.

]]> An Introduction to the Whole Food, Plant-Based, SOS-Free Diet https://nutritionstudies.org/an-introduction-to-the-whole-food-plant-based-sos-free-diet/ Wed, 18 Sep 2019 20:39:04 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=28569 What is the whole-plant-food, SOS-Free Diet, why TrueNorth Health Center promotes it, and the details of how to eat it.

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Written by Alan Goldhamer, D.C..

]]> 3-Day Whole Food, Plant-Based Meal Plan https://nutritionstudies.org/3-day-whole-food-plant-based-meal-plan/ Thu, 29 Aug 2019 19:33:39 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=27979 Need some inspiration to jump-start your foray into a plant-based lifestyle? This easy whole food, plant-based meal plan has some tasty recipes to whet your appetite.

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Written by Theresa “Sam” Houghton.

]]> From Junk Food to Plant-Based Eating: How I Made the Switch in 5 Steps https://nutritionstudies.org/from-junk-food-to-plant-based-eating-how-i-made-the-switch-in-5-steps/ Fri, 10 May 2019 19:21:00 +0000 http://nutritionstudies.org/?p=27456 Adopting a whole food, plant-based diet is a lifestyle change and one that you will benefit from for years to come. Making the transition to plant-based eating can be simple with these 5 helpful steps.

The post From Junk Food to Plant-Based Eating: How I Made the Switch in 5 Steps appeared first on Center for Nutrition Studies.

Written by Elizabeth Zarrella Maglio, MSW.

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