Changing your diet is a huge step for you but also for the planet, animals and for your health

As a Plant-based Dietitian & Coach based in London, Lena has helped lots of clients define their own healthy and green diet and draw their own plant-based journey. She supports people who want to green-up their diets to reach their goals and make a sustainable transformation in their lives.

Meatless Movement recently had a chance to speak with Lena. She told us that the nutrition choices that we are making today are keys to our long-term health and our children’s future. She believes in a personalised approach to nutrition, respectful of our body, lifestyle and planet.

Tell us more about yourself please

Hey, I am Lena, I am a plant-based Dietitian & Coach based in London. I am from Britanny ( west of France), a well-known place for delicious treats such as crêpes, galettes, Kouign Aman (or Butter Cake in English), salted caramel butter, apple ciders…

Who’s ready to start a healthy, green and sustainable nutrition journey?
Lena – Plant-based Dietitian & Coach

Lena - Plant-based Dietitian & Coach — Lena – Plant-based Dietitian & Coach

Eating has always been important for me because it is an amazing opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, to make them happy with a good meal, but also a rare opportunity to have an impact on the environment, planet, animals and our health.

Therefore, I have always been passionate about cooking and especially baking because I could share it with people. I started it at 10 years old with easy recipes made for my family and friends and then, developed my skills to bake french entremet, macarons and traditional french recipes.

Whatever cause is the most appealing for you, everyone can make small changes
Lena – Plant-based Dietitian & Coach

I started my plant-based journey about 10 years ago by progressively removing meat, eggs, fish from my diet, then dairy. The last step was to bake vegan cakes, which was the most difficult step for me because it is difficult to have the exact same texture when you are cooking without butter and eggs. But I made it!

My plant-based journey has been difficult because I didn’t have any support. I didn’t know how to replace meat, fish and eggs. I was not aware of vitamin B12, iodine, Vitamin D daily requirements so my diet was unbalanced and a bit boring. Therefore, I have been tired for a few years because of this inadequate diet.

And that is also why I am now working as a plant-based dietitian, to help people transition to a vegetarian or vegan diet with a step-by-step method. I am trying to make plant-based easier and support people in their plant-based journey so that they can really enjoy the benefits of being plant-based.

Our diet has a direct and indirect impact on a lot of things. It means that we have a great opportunity to make the best choices.
Lena – Plant-based Dietitian & Coach

When I was living in France, it was much more difficult to find my favourite “key” foods. There was not a lot in supermarkets, so I had to go to specialised or organic shops but all products were very expensive. It was the same with restaurants, there were not a lot of options in menus, especially if you are living outside of Paris.

But things are improving, which is amazing. However, I find it much easier to be vegan in London thanks to all the amazing vegan shops, restaurants, bakeries available in the city but also because there is less judgment regarding your diet, what you eat and the reasons behind that.

Stuffed Pumpkin with Brown rice, kale and mushrooms

And you, what do you want to change in your diet?
Lena – Plant-based Dietitian & Coach

I am very happy with my current diet as I fully appreciate the benefits. I have more energy, I am less tired and I enjoyed vegan meals and desserts. But, more importantly, I have a diet which is matching my lifestyle, my past experience with foods and my beliefs. That’s why I am helping my clients define their own healthy and green diet so that they can make a sustainable nutrition transformation in their lives. I find it so important to find a sustainable and positive diet that you can stick to.

Tips before starting a plant-based diet

If someone is motivated to green up their diet and try new foods, I would advise them to do it step-by-step and make the process as smooth and easy as possible. One option is to follow carefully a recipe so that you are sure you won’t be disappointed. Why not as well, try vegan meals at the restaurants?

In terms of foods to try first, tofu, tempeh, cereals and beans are great options. Finally, I would advise selecting a wide variety of natural ingredients and not only processed foods.

London Vegan Food Experiences

There are tons of options but if you love Indian cuisine, Dishoom does offer great vegan and vegetarian options.

Badiani is my favourite gelato shop in London and they are making an amazing chocolate sorbet. Probably the best vegan gelato or ice cream I ever tasted. The Pistachios and hazelnut gelatos are also delicious and they are vegetarian.

Finally, a dish that I love is my homemade Black Risotto with Mushrooms and truffle oil. The recipe is available below.

https://www.lenanutrition.com/post/vegan-lunch-black-risotto-with-mushrooms-and-truffle-oil

One of my favourite desserts is my homemade vegan Double chocolate and pear tart, made with chocolate dough, chocolate almond cream and roasted pears. The recipe is available below: https://www.lenanutrition.com/post/vegan-chocolate-pear-tart

Biggest Misconceptions About Veganism

Firstly, people think vegan food is not good, tasty or savoury and therefore, not for them. Look at these meals below, they are all homemade vegans but do they look tasteless?

Vegan lunch – Tofu in peanut butter sauce with brown rice

The second one is that people think it is too complicated. As a dietitian, I have noticed that it is a barrier for a lot of people who are motivated but think they don’t have the skills or enough time to make vegan meals.

For both reasons, the best thing to do is to encourage people to try a vegan meal at some friend’s house or at the restaurant. Once you realised Vegan or veggie CAN be delicious, then you can start witching your mind around the topic and think about trying it with 2 meat-free days per week for example.

Veganuary is an amazing opportunity to address these misconceptions. Because during one month, you can find a lot of vegan options in restaurants and it is much easier to try out vegan meals.

Finally, the last one is that people are afraid to have a dietary deficiency with a plant-based diet. This is a really common misconception, I tried to address it by educating on plant-based nutrition and how well-balanced and diversified it is so you can reach all your requirements in nutrients but also minerals and vitamins.

Achieving a healthy and sustainable diet is not that complicated
Lena – Plant-based Dietitian & Coach

As a plant-based Dietitian & Coach, I am working with clients to help them define their own healthy and green diet and make it sustainable so they can enjoy a real nutrition transformation.

I have developed a proven method that is the base of my signature coaching programme to help people easily and peacefully start or continue their plant-based journey.

My Coaching programme is over 3 months so that clients can benefit from 1:1 coaching, nutrition videos, unlimited support but also personalised nutrition recommendations, plant-based recipes, cooking, baking tips and lots more!

Stay focused on the things you can change
Lena – Plant-based Dietitian & Coach

Becoming plant-based is not a straightforward road, and unique path. It is a wonderful experience, full of discovery which leads towards better health. I do encourage everyone to start it and to go at their own pace, according to their goals, motivation and one step at a time in order to make a sustainable and positive change in their lives.