In this week's nugget we revisit our interview with Carlijn Wagenaar from the Plants for Joints study, as they launch their 'Plants for Health' programme to help those suffering from a range of chronic conditions - not just joint problems.
Order the e-or printed book and sign up for the programme:
https://plants-for-health.com/
References for the programme:
Carlijn A. Wagenaar, Wendy Walrabenstein, Marike van der Leeden et al.
Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken), 2025
Effect of a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention on body composition in people with osteoarthritis: Secondary analysis of the “Plants for Joints” randomized controlled trial
Carlijn A. Wagenaar, Wendy Walrabenstein, Sofieke C.S. de Jonge et al.
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open, 2024
Carlijn Wagenaar, Wendy Walrabenstein, Marike van der Leeden, et al.
RMD Open, 2024
A multidisciplinary lifestyle program for metabolic syndrome-associated osteoarthritis: the ‘Plants for Joints’ randomized controlled trial
Award: Publication of the year
Wendy Walrabenstein, Carlijn Wagenaar, Marieke van de Put, et al.
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2023
A multidisciplinary lifestyle program for rheumatoid arthritis: the ‘Plants for Joints’ randomized controlled trial
Wendy Walrabenstein, Carlijn A Wagenaar, Marike van der Leeden, et al.
Rheumatology, 2023
The effect of a multidisciplinary lifestyle program for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an increased risk for rheumatoid arthritis or with metabolic syndrome-associated osteoarthritis: the “Plants for Joints” randomized controlled trial protocol
Wendy Walrabenstein, Marike van der Leeden, Peter Weijs, et al.
Trials, 2021
This week on The Nutshell, we are joined by Dr. Urvi A. Shah, MD, MS, a board-certified haematologist-oncologist, and physician scientist with expertise in diagnosing and treating plasma cell disorders.
At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Shah not only cares for patients but also leads research exploring nutrition and other modifiable lifestyle factors in cancer, mainly blood disorders.
After her own experience with cancer, Dr. Shah launched the first 'NUTRIVENTION' trial which has since expanded to five additional dietary trials that will collectively enroll over 600 participants. excitin
To find out more about Dr Shah's work:
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/doctors/urvi-shah
To connect with Dr Shah:
To read Dr Shah's research:
https://share.google/FEUQXznH42KhQp88t
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Urvi-Shah-3
Other points of discussion from this episode:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joseph-Poore
https://foodrise.org.uk/roastingtheplanet/
https://www.alcoholfreewarrior.com/
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/membership
You 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.
Veganuary could be the excuse you need to light some fires, or just send smoke signals on a healthy plant-based diet into the work or community space. So, in this week's nugget, Daisy and Clare talk to PBHP-UK member, Vanessa Sturman - a Multi-Award-Winning Speaker and Transformational Health Coach - to get her ideas on how to bring people with you on sustainable healthy eating. Regularly featured on Sky News, BBC Radio and other media outlets, Vanessa is experienced in bringing healthy, enjoyable, flavour-filled food ideas to the wider public. Educated at Cambridge University in Social and Biological Anthropology, Vanessa is also a published recipe developer and respected 1:1 coach.
Follow Vanessa on Instagram for more ideas https://www.instagram.com/vanessaforhealth?igsh=MTZnOHhzMDRweTl1NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-sturman-plant-based-health-coach/
Vanessa's recipes: https://theveganlarder.com/recipe-index/
And factsheets you can trust for your displays:
https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/factsheets
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-2025
https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/the-food-system-and-planetary-health
https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/sustainable-farming
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/membership
No (potato) waffling this week as we're speaking up for potatoes. We summarise results from a study which assessed associations between eating potatoes and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The results may surprise you.
https://www.bmj.com/content/390/bmj-2024-082121
This week we welcome Plant-Based Health Professionals U.K. campaign manager Sarah Bentley to the Nutshell.
On the eve of World Food Day, Sarah gives us an update on the exciting progress made with the Plants First Healthcare initiative, working to prioritise plant-based meals in healthcare settings.
Follow the links below to read more about the initiative, download the toolkit, and buy Sarah's new book 'We Cook Plants'.
https://plantsfirsthealthcare.com/
https://www.greenerbydefault.com/
The toolkit:
https://plantsfirsthealthcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/HowTo-PPBF16.09.25.pdf
To buy Sarah's book:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/we-cook-plants/sarah-bentley/9781848994454
https://globalplantkitchens.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/membership
You 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.
Is it true that it is climate and health friendly to eat deer? Whilst our excessive love of meat from the usual farmed sources continues to dominate climate and health concerns, we ask whether we are paying enough attention to whether the proposed benefits of eating wild animals -or 'game' -are accurate. So, in this week's nugget episode, Daisy and Clare discuss issues relating to the sustainability claims of the UK's wild meat industry.https://www.scottish-venison.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SVA-Carbon-Report-Final-v2.pdf
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://www.instagram.com/dr.matthewnagra/?hl=en
https://www.youtube.com/@dr.matthewnagra
All 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/membership
You 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 week's nugget, take some time to relax and drop the pressure as Plant-Based Health Professionals' researcher and dietitian Michael Metoudi explains how increasing whole grains in the diet cuts the risk of high blood pressure.
Aune, D., Metoudi, M., Sadler, I. et al. Whole grain and refined grain consumption and the risk of hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Sci Rep 15, 21447 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05197-5
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/membership
You 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.
Last month there were positive headlines on how opting for a plant-based diet could significantly reduce cancer risk. This was following the latest study using data from the Adventist 2 Health cohort. Daisy and Clare discuss the study's exciting conclusions.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916525003284
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-024-01870-z
https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membership
https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/diet-and-prostate-cancer
Welcome back to Season 5 of In A Nutshell
We are so excited to be back and we have a fantastic season lined up for you, full of inspiring guests and science backed, evidence based conversations on nutrition and lifestyle medicine.
We kick off season five with Blue Zones founder, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author, Dan Buettner.
In this episode we explore the various reasons why people in the Blue Zones live the longest and healthiest lives; from plant-based diets, regular movement and meaningful social connections, as well as hearing all about Dan's own favourite meals and that famous minestrone for breakfast!
To find out more about Dan Buettner's work and to buy his new book follow the links below:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-blue-zones-kitchen-one-pot-meals/dan-buettner/9781426224126
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/membership
You 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.
For our season finale we speak with the octogenarian vegan athlete Paul Youd, who discovered a new lease of life after choosing veganism at the age of 66.
He now raises money for charities with his ultra-marathon and press-up challenges, and is well on his way to complete 100 ultra marathons before his 100th birthday.
We're sure you will be inspired by this conversation where we dive into how shifting to a plant-based diet cured Paul's arthritis pains, to his favourite meals and his biggest challenges, and of course the documentary showcasing his incredible achievements called ' More Like Paul'.
To find out more:
https://shortstopfilms.co.uk/more-like-paul
To buy tickets for the premier screening:
https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/more-like-paul
To connect with Paul on Instagram @youdpaul
To read more about Paul's work and sponsor him :
https://nobreadisanisland.blogspot.com/2013/02/52-diet-cake-in-mug-vegan.html
And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast to be informed when we're back for season five!
For episode 15 we are joined by Plant-Based Health Professionals U.K. member, Ailsa McHardy, registered paediatric dietitian, and founder of Little Nutrition, to get her advice on food with a focus on children.
Ailsa has over 14 years experience as a dietitian. We discuss trends in children's diets, healthfully bringing up children plant-based, fussy eaters, growth concerns, and, in seasonality discussions, the joys of salad and watercress.
To get in touch with Ailsa: www.littlenutrition.co.uk
Instagram: @littlenutritionwithailsa
The links to the Family and children's zone on the PBHP website and the factsheets discussed:
https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/kids
https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IronFactsheet201123.pdf
In this bonus episode Daisy and Clare talk to Georges Hayek, owner and general manager at Hayek Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. When you listen to Georges speak about the health benefits and the context for patient 'choice', you may wonder why we make such a meal out of hospital food in the UK and beyond.
Inspired? Help us take action on hospital food in the UK
https://plantsfirsthealthcare.com/
In episode 14 of this season we are joined by Cóilín Nunan, to discuss the growing global threat of antibiotic resistance and how the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture is contributing to this silent pandemic.
Cóilín is the Policy and Science Manager of the Alliance to Save Our Antibiotics, an alliance of seventy-one member organisations campaigning against the overuse of antibiotics in animal farming.
Cóilín breaks down how antibiotics are used not only to treat infections but also prevent disease in crowded, unsanitary conditions. This results in a breeding ground for drug-resistant bacteria that can affect both animals and humans.
This discussion highlights why we view the shift to plant-based diets as one of the key ways to drive down this overuse, and protect antibiotics for when we actually need them within healthcare.
Please share this episode widely to help raise awareness and be part of the change towards a better future for all.
To find out more about the alliance's work and to get involved: https://www.saveourantibiotics.org/
If you've heard that you'll get doughy trying to build muscle on beans, or indeed anything else that's made you doubt pulses even for a second, then this nugget's for you. Daisy and Clare discuss the nutrition of a range of legumes, as well as health benefits and environmental impacts, and how best to cook and eat them.
Didinger, C.; Thompson, H.J. Defining Nutritional andFunctional Niches of Legumes: A Call for Clarity to Distinguish a Future Role for Pulses in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Nutrients 2021, 13,1100. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041100
Mullins AP, Arjmandi BH. Health Benefits of Plant-BasedNutrition: Focus on Beans in Cardiometabolic Diseases. Nutrients. 2021 Feb5;13(2):519. doi: 10.3390/nu13020519. PMID: 33562498; PMCID: PMC7915747.
In episode 13 of this season we are joined by the Food Foundation's Rebecca Tobi, and Plant-Based Health Professionals UK's founder, Dr Shireen Kassam to discuss the latest Food Foundation report 'Meat Facts'.
Rebecca is a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr), has a masters in Nutrition for Global Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and is the Food Foundation's Senior Business and Investor Engagement manager.
Rebecca's in-depth knowledge of the report, combined with Shireen's expertise on the health implications of eating red, processed, and other meats, ensure this is a really rich discussion.
The UK may continue to ignore the health warnings that are associated with meat consumption but hopefully anyone who is listening to this episode will take action to curb their own consumption for individual and planetary health.
Find the full report here: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/meat-facts
The latest UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey:
The excellent Food Foundation Podcast, Pod Bites:
https://foodfoundation.org.uk/podcasts
For this week's nugget we are joined by NHS dietitian Didem Varol, who guides us through the delights and challenges of opting for plant-based food when eating out in Turkey, or when re-creating Middle Eastern flavours at home.
Follow Didem on Instagram @plantgevity or find her at www.plantgevity.com
This week we are delighted to welcome Professor Paul Behrens to the Nutshell.
Paul is a British Academy Global Professor based at the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford where his research focuses on the impacts of food system transformations.
His research and writing on food and energy systems, land use and climate change has appeared in scientific journals and media outlets and he is the editor and author of the textbook ‘Food and Sustainability’.
As an academic with a background in Physics, Professor Behrens is an environmental expert, and he combines this expertise with a communication style that is accessible to all in his book ‘The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Futures from the Frontiers of Climate Science’ which we discuss in this episode.
To buy the book:
https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/PaulBehrens
To connect:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-behrens-6b586427/?originalSubdomain=uk
Links to further information discussed in this episode:
https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet-commission/the-planetary-health-diet-and-you/
https://en.fvm.dk/Media/638484294982868221/Danish-Action-Plan-for-Plant-based-Foods.pdf
https://www.carbonbrief.org/cropped/
https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/author/zacharyboren/
https://www.ft.com/susannah-savage
https://www.theguardian.com/profile/arthurneslen
https://foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/meat-facts
https://foodfoundation.org.uk/sites/default/files/2025-05/TFF_Meat%20Facts.pdf
https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/broken-plate
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2514664525000104