I see clients in person between two clinic spaces; one situated in Mullumbimby servicing Byron Bay and surrounding areas, and one in Bondi Junction to serve Sydney-siders. I also do many consults online, which I love because I can reach those fully entrenched in the vegan lifestyle, or plant-based eaters in areas as diverse as Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, London, Bristol, Brighton, Berlin and Tel Aviv.

A vegan diet is one that obtains all nutrition from plant-based foods and excludes all animal products. People choose a vegan lifestyle due to concerns for animals, the environment and human health, amongst other areas.

There are so many reasons why somebody might want to try a vegan/plant based diet. Animal products are problematic for so many reasons, ranging from ethics to the environment, to their role in chronic disease manifestation. Aside from vitamin B12, which can easily be supplemented, all nutrients can be obtained from the plant kingdom.

A vegan diet can be incredibly healthy, depending on what you’re eating. Science has proven that a well-planned vegan diet with appropriate vitamin B12 supplementation shows incredible health benefits in areas as diverse as weight, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer risk. A vegan diet is predominantly also healthier for the planet. A vegan diet which is poorly planned, does not include supplementation where required, and does not eat from a variety of plant based food groups can though be unhealthy, lead to nutrient deficiencies, and poorer health outcomes than on some omnivorous diets.

Whilst a well-planned vegan diet is veritably healthy and suitable for all stages of the lifespan; it is important that the diet is well planned and that supplementation is implemented when appropriate to avoid nutrient deficiencies, such as B12 or sometimes even omega 3 fatty acids.

My services go far beyond diet, and I work to support a range of health conditions using herbal medicine as well as nutraceuticals, diet and lifestyle coaching. All my prescriptions and medicines are vegan-friendly, regardless of whether the clients are vegan, vegetarian or consume animal products themselves. Vegan clients can feel safely assured that as a long-term practicing vegan myself, I walk the walk, respecting and understanding their choices entirely.

To stay healthy as a vegan, a balanced diet consisting of a range of key plant based food groups is required to give the body everything it needs to function optimally and avoid nutrient deficiencies. Supplementation of vitamin B12 is also required in the vast majority of cases. Health is also more than diet, and taking care of emotional health, spiritual health, incidental movement, rest and exercise are also very important.

I absolutely do- in fact, I mostly follow a living foods diet myself. However, I favour an evidence-based approach to eating based on a foundation of fruits and vegetables, in addition to plant foods like sprouted legumes, grains etc and smaller amounts of nuts and seeds. Whilst it certainly may work for some people, I do not recommend a high-fat plant-based diet, or fruit-only and I always recommend B12 supplementation.