In a Nutshell: The Plant-Based Health Professionals UK Podcast

In A Nutshell is back! We are delighted to bring you season seven of the podcast, starting with a truly inspiring guest, Drew Harrisberg, an exercise physiologist, sports scientist and diabetes educator who has lived with type one diabetes since the age of twenty-one.So who better to help us make sense of the science behind carbohydrates, and their place in a healthy diet?For people living with type one diabetes, carbohydrates can sometimes feel like the enemy. And with the explosion of low-carb and ketogenic diets, glucose monitoring and social-media advice around 'controlling' blood sugar, it's easy to come away with the impression that the fewer carbohydrates you eat, the healthier you are. But is that really the case?Drew has taken a fascinating personal journey through different approaches to nutrition, including paleo, keto and ultimately a whole-food, plant-based diet. He shares what he learned from each approach, how his diet affected his blood glucose and insulin requirements, and why he ultimately moved away from keto towards plant-based eating.But this conversation isn't simply about diabetes - it's about our relationship with carbohydrates more broadly. We explore why carbohydrates aren't inherently unhealthy, why a rise in blood glucose after eating isn't necessarily something to fear, and whether the current obsession with flattening glucose curves is distracting us from the bigger picture of dietary quality.To find out more about Drew:https://drewsdailydose.com/To get your tickets for The Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine Conference:https://nlmc.org.uk/To sign up to the online plant-based nutrition course and the cancer course from The University of Winchester:https://www.winchester.ac.uk/study/short-courses/courses/Plant-based-Nutrition/https://www.winchester.ac.uk/study/Short-courses/Courses/Lifestyle-medicine-for-cancer-prevention-and-survivorship/Further reading:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/low-carb-plant-based-diet-what-to-eat\

When we think about pandemic prevention, we may think about vaccines, surveillance and emergency preparedness. But what if the most effective way to prevent the next pandemic starts much earlier- by reducing the conditions that allow new diseases to emerge in the first place?In this episode, we are joined by Esme Wheeler, a science policy and advocacy professional specialising in the connections between human, animal and environmental health. Given that most emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, we explore how the One Health approach reveals the links between how we farm animals, our relationship with wildlife, and the risk of future pandemics.The conversation examines the evidence linking habitat loss, biodiversity decline and the expansion and intensification of animal agriculture with zoonotic disease risk. Esme sets out the case for addressing our human impact to reduce the risk of future pandemics and more.To connect with Esme:https://www.linkedin.com/in/esme-primrose-wheeler-aa275a23b/If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a rating or review- it really helps others discover the podcast.If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health; with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.

When we think about oral health, most of us think about brushing, flossing, and avoiding cavities. But what if the health of your mouth could influence your overall health and well being?In this episode, we're joined by Elizabeth Peters, a board certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional, to explore the fascinating connection between oral health and whole-person health.With more than 30 years working closely with clients as a dental hygienist and earning a graduate degree in public health, Elizabeth has expanded her focus beyond oral health to support overall wellbeing. She now helps individuals make sustainable lifestyle changes through her work as a health and wellness coach and educator.Elizabeth explains how the mouth is not an isolated part of the body but a gateway to overall health. We discuss how lifestyle factors such as nutrition, stress management, physical activity, and other pillars of lifestyle medicine can influence oral health, inflammation, and risk of disease.We also dive into emerging research linking oral bacteria to chronic conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, and discuss why oral health professionals are increasingly recognising their role in supporting broader health outcomes.Whether you're interested in prevention, healthy ageing, nutrition, or simply understanding your body better, this conversation highlights why oral health plays an integral part of the health discussion.To find out more and contact Elizabeth:⁠https://preventionistas.com/For Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine Conference tickets:https://nlmc.org.uk/nlmc-2026/nlmc26-live/If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who may be interested in learning more too. If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health; with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.

In this episode, we sit down with Kate Strong - multiple record-breaking cyclist, age-group World Champion triathlete, climate-activist adventurer, motivational speaker, ex aerospace engineer and of course Plant-Based Health Professionals UK Ambassador.Kate shares her journey from competitive sport and plant-based performance to becoming a leading voice in sustainability and systems thinking.Amongst her many achievements, in 2023 she completed Climate Cycle, a 3,300 mile bike ride around mainland Britain on a hand-made bamboo bike. During these three months, she visited 50 communities, charities, companies, initiatives and projects that are working towards mitigating climate change.Kate explains how lessons learned through endurance sport mirror the mindset needed to address climate challenges - and why collective action begins with individual awareness.This conversation is both energising and practical, offering listeners a fresh perspective on how small steps can create meaningful change.To find out more and connect with Kate:https://katestrong.global/https://katestrong.global/contact/Study on hypertension:https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2026/05/04/bmjnph-2025-001449https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/plant-power-soy-and-legumes-connected-to-lower-hypertension-riskIf you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health; with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.And if you liked this episode please consider leaving us a rating or a review, it helps more people discover the podcast and supports our mission to share evidence-based nutrition.

In episode 8 of this season we discuss the food industry's role in green washing, health washing, and welfare washing. Nicola Wilks from Adfree Cities describes how advertising seeks to influence our eating habits and planetary health choices, and why we'd probably be better off making choices without adverts. We also hear how cities in the Netherlands want to promote plant-based diets, and on this basis have recently taken steps to level the food industry playing field with a ban on outdoor advertisements for meat.To find out more about Adfree Cities and their campaigns:https://adfreecities.org.uk/If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health; with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.And please consider leaving a review, it helps more people discover the podcast and supports our mission to share evidence-based nutrition.References:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ebd0080238e863d04911b51/t/5fbfcb1408845d09248d4e6e/1606404891491/Advertising%E2%80%99s+role+in+climate+and+ecological+degradation.pdfhttps://cdn.bitebackmedia.com/media/documents/Bite_Back_Report_Fuel_Us_Dont_Fool_Us_Advertising.pdfhttps://adfreecities.org.uk/https://changingmarkets.org/report/the-new-merchants-of-doubt-how-big-meat-and-dairy-avoid-climate-action/https://adfreecities.org.uk/explore-harmful-advertising/end-meat-advertising/https://adfreecities.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/The-cows-arent-laughing_Adfree-Cities_Oct-2023_Final.pdfhttps://www.asa.org.uk/rulings/assured-food-standards-a23-1199608-assured-food-standards.html

What children eat at school has the potential to shape their health for decades to come.In this episode, we speak with Sophia Millar from ProVeg UK about the School Plates initiative- a programme working with schools and local authorities to support more plant-rich, nutritious, and sustainable meals for children across the UK.For healthcare professionals concerned with prevention, childhood nutrition, and the growing burden of diet-related disease, school food represents a powerful but often overlooked lever for improving population health.We discuss why schools are such a critical setting for shaping lifelong dietary patterns and how initiatives like School Plates are helping schools make healthier food the default.To find out more:https://proveg.org/uk/https://proveg.org/fsd-article/ultra-processed-foods/To join us at this years Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine Conference and for early bird tickets:https://nlmc.org.uk/If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health; with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.

From fears around hormone disruption, thyroid health, breast cancer, fertility, and even feminising effects in men, soy has been surrounded by controversy for many years.Yet at the same time, populations consuming soy regularly tend to have lower rates of chronic disease and longer life expectancy. So what does the totality of the scientific evidence actually say?To answer that question we’re joined by Dr Mark Messina, one of the world’s leading researchers on soya foods and health. Dr Messina is Director of Nutrition Science and Research at the Soy Nutrition Institute (SNI) Global. He has dedicated his career to studying the health effects of soya foods and has published over 125 articles and book chapters over his three decades of work in the field.In this deep dive we will distinguish the scientific evidence from pervasive online misconceptions and examine what the current research indicates about soya's effects on cardiovascular health, cancer risk, endocrine function, and well being.To contact Dr Messina:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-messina-985ba642/To read more about Dr Messina's research papers:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Messina-Mark-2And please don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast, and share this episode with one other person today.If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health; with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.Discover evidence-based approaches to transform hospital meals in our upcoming Global Healthy Hospital Network webinar.Join us on 4 March 2026, 16:00 GMT to explore practical strategies to make hospital meals healthier for patients and staff while reducing environmental impact.This session is designed for healthcare professionals seeking actionable, evidence-based ways to transform hospital food environments.Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-rnYGLwqQ9-ZQPh-P1cfPwThe Global Healthy Hospital Food Network is a collaborative initiative led by PAN International, Plant-Based Health Professionals UK, ProVeg International, and Greener by Default.

This week we are thrilled to be speaking with Dr Michael Klaper, M.D.Dr Klaper is an experienced physician, educator, and author who has spent decades advocating for a preventive approach to healthcare grounded in healthy, whole-food, plant-based diets.Through the non-profit organisation Moving Medicine Forward, Dr Klaper’s current work centres on integrating nutrition and lifestyle education into medical training, empowering future doctors to use diet to prevent and reverse chronic diseases, aiming for a more holistic healthcare system.If you’re interested in the future of medicine, climate and health, preventive healthcare, or medical education reform, this episode offers a powerful and thought-provoking perspective on how clinicians can help build a healthier, more sustainable world.To find out more and connect with Dr Klaper: https://www.movingmedforward.org/The books recommended in this episode: http://comfortablyunaware.com/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58788258-food-is-climateMeet Dr Klaper at VCO26: https://www.vegancampout.co.uk/And please don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast, and share this episode with one other person today.If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health; with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.

In episode 8 of season 5, we speak with lifestyle medicine expert, and Plant-Based Health Professionals Ambassador, Dr. Chidi Ngwaba.Dr Chidi breaks down how type 2 diabetes, one of the most common chronic diseases, can be prevented, treated, and even reversed through evidence-based lifestyle changes, particularly a whole-food plant-based diet.By explaining the underlying mechanisms of insulin resistance in a way that is accessible, we understand how and why the answer goes beyond just refined sugar.He highlights why plant-based nutrition is so effective at restoring insulin sensitivity and improving metabolic health, sharing clinical insights from his work helping thousands of patients reverse chronic conditions.We also address common myths surrounding carbohydrates, fruit and diabetes, offering clarity for anyone confused by conflicting nutrition advice.This episode is both inspiring and informative so make sure to listen to the end to find out what Dr Chidi's favourite plant-based meal is!To connect with Dr Chidi: [email protected]://www.linkedin.com/in/drchidimd/Access recipes and learn more about Plant-Based Sis: https://plantbasedsis.com/Plant- Based Health Professionals UK Type 2 Diabetes Factsheets: https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Diabetes-factsheet08.11.24.pdfPlant- Based Health Professionals UK article on Type 2 Diabetes treatment and prevention: https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/plant-based-diets-for-the-prevention-and-treatment-of-type-2-diabetesFurther information on continuous glucose monitors: https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/continuous-glucose-monitorFor the courses discussed: https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/coursesAnd please don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast, and share this episode with one other person today. If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a healthcare professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health; with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.

In episode 7 of the season we dive deep into the world of seaweed. Seaweed is considered one of the most nutrient-dense, sustainable, and surprisingly versatile foods, yet so many of us haven't considered adding it to our plates. So we were delighted to hear from Plant-Based Health Professionals member, Jenny Griffiths, who is currently completing a PhD in U.K. Sustainable Food Systems, about the health benefits of seaweed and why she thinks the U.K. population should consider adding more seaweed to their diets.Listen today to find out about the key nutrients found in seaweed, the differences between major varieties, safety considerations, the potential environmental benefits, and of course practical ways to incorporate seaweed into your diet for both taste and health.Links discussed in this episode:https://beachfood.co.uk/https://www.carymor.wales/https://www.cornishseaweed.co.uk/Guides from the Marine Conservation Society (here) and Natural Resources Wales (here). To reach out and connect with Jenny:[email protected] please don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast, and share this episode with one other person today.If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health; with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.

This week on the Nutshell we hear from Dr Shireen Kassam, founder and director of Plant-Based Health Professionals U.K. alongside research dietitian Michael Metoudi, and research assistant Isabelle Sadler speaking on the landmark scientific research, 'Eat Lancet'.Last month saw the release of the updated version, Eat Lancet 2.0 and our guests today will be telling us more about what the report says, how it’s built on the 2019 version, and what it could mean for diet change going forwards.And please don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast, and consider a share of this episode with one other person today.Links discussed:https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet/https://www.thelancet.com/commissions-do/EAT-2025https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/the-food-system-and-planetary-healthhttps://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/sustainable-farminghttps://sites.google.com/convene.space/eatcfas/communities-for-action/healthcare-professionals?authuser=0If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membership

This week on the podcast we speak to Dr Matthew Nagra.Dr Nagra is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine having studied at the Boucher Institute in Vancouver Canada, after graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Microbiology at the University of Victoria. He has also carried out additional training in nutrition, holding a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification from Cornell University and the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies where he’s authored multiple articles on the subject.And when he isn't in his clinic helping patients improve their health through nutrition, you’ll find him on social media myth-busting and and countering misinformation.In this episode we review the science on plant versus animal protein, the considerations for plant based athletes, recommendations for the older person and we finally get to ask Matthew all our creatine questions!To connect with Matthew:https://drmatthewnagra.com/https://www.instagram.com/dr.matthewnagra/?hl=enhttps://www.youtube.com/@dr.matthewnagraAll the details on Plant-Based Health Professionals forthcoming conferences:https://nlmc.org.uk/And please don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast, and share this episode with one other person today.If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health; with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.

This week we cover the topic of omega 3 fatty acids with Dr Tim Radak.Dr. Radak has a masters and doctorate in Public Health Nutrition from The Loma Linda University, the leading university for vegetarian science and nutrition.He is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and has worked in the nonprofit sector and academia for over 20 years, authored or co-authored articles related to plant-based diets in peer-reviewed scientific journals, written several plant-based and vegetarian textbook chapters, and is passionate about helping the public discover the link between good health and plant-based diets via evidence-based nutrition.To connect with Tim: https://radaktim.wixsite.com/websiteComprehensive review on essential fatty acids and brain health: https://radaktim.wixsite.com/website/post/omega-3-diet-and-lifestyle-factors-influencing-brain-healthTo join the PPOD conference: https://www.preventionofdisease.org/And please don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast, and share this episode with one other person today.If you'd like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membershipYou don't have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you'll be improving your own health; and with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.