Natalie & Lexie are sisters, they’re Registered Dietitians and they eat plants… wholly plants. They strongly believe the importance of encompassing the how and why of eating a whole food, plantbased diet. They told Meatless Movement that there is more than enough research to support a whole food, plant-based diet for disease prevention, longevity, and overall health.
Tell us more about yourselves, please
We enjoy learning about the endless benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet as well as experiencing the rewards.
Natalie & Lexie
First and foremost, we are sisters that love food. Eating it, making it, growing it, taking pictures of it.. We love it all! Growing up we ate animal products, but we always had a garden, most meals were made at home and there were veggies with every meal, no exceptions!
We both are Registered Dietitian Nutritionists with Masters degrees in Nutrition. Our love for food, combined with our background in the field, led us to co-create a whole-food, plant-based blog – www.Wholly-Plants.com – to share information, resources and recipes.
We are from Indiana and, though we both spent time living in other states, we are back in our home state. Natalie is in the Indianapolis-area and Lexie in northeast Indiana.
We’ve come a long way since those lessons
Natalie and Lexie
We studied nutrition during our undergraduate and graduate training. Unfortunately, our education did not lead us to adopt a plant-based lifestyle. Looking back we’re disappointed at what seemed to drive our college’s nutrition curriculums. Rather than looking at nutrition holistically, our education relied heavily on reductionism (soo many details about each macro- and micro-nutrient!) and was driven by big industries (dairy was king!).
Fortunately our education did provide us with the skills to find and interpret research. Once we started diving into the research, it was made abundantly clear that a whole-food, plant-based eating style was optimal for health. After transitioning to this way of eating, we are healthier than ever. Before forgoing the animal products we both thought we were in great health. What a surprise it was to realize what we were missing out on! During our journey, we have also come to appreciate that this way of eating also is kind to the planet and all those who inhabit it.
We’re passionate about sharing the power of healthy eating with anyone wishing to improve their health.
Natalie and Lexie
I, Natalie, started transitioning to a plant-based diet nearly 6 years ago. To be honest, I never intended to be 100% plant-based, as I thought I’d continue ordering fish at restaurants and have animal products at get-togethers or when eating at someone else’s house. After about 6 months I was only eating fish because I’d lost interest in eating any other animal product. While out to eat with my husband I ordered the salmon. I took the first bite and quickly realized I was disgusted by the taste and texture of it. After that, I was 100% plant-based, 24/7!
I, Lexie, transitioned to primarily plant-based eating shortly after Natalie. Similarly, I never planned on committing to 100% plant-based eating, but surprisingly meat lost its appeal within just a couple months. I held out and continued eating sushi for about a year because I couldn’t dream of giving that up. But eventually I switched to veggie sushi and realized I enjoyed it just as much! When eating out I don’t stress over whether there is a bit of oil, dairy or eggs in something I order, but all of the delicious food I prepare at home is plant-based.
People need people! We’re all connected and this is not only how we survive, but it’s how we thrive.
Natalie and Lexie
We are blessed to have many family members and friends that either eat plant-based or are happy to serve plant-based meals when we’re around. Of course there are times when we’re surrounded by animal products, but a little planning can make all the difference. When going to a get-together we bring a hearty plant-based dish so we’ll have something substantial to eat. We rarely go anywhere without a stash nuts and dried fruit to snack on. When eating out, we look at menus ahead of time, ask for accommodations (hold the sour cream on those veggie fajitas!) and sometimes eat before-hand if there’s absolutely no plant-based options. Also, it’s impossible to control every aspect of food when eating out. We accept that and don’t waste time worrying about it. If our way of eating is ever questioned by others, a simple response such as “It makes me feel great!” is usually all it takes to avoid an awkward conversation.
After many years of helping others make dietary changes, we’ve learned that everyone’s right approach to a changing their eating habits is different. The most important thing is that progress is being made. Natalie started out by eating plant-based lunches and snacks, because all it took was having a few go-to options to take to work each day. Breakfast came next, which was simple because steel cut oats and sweet potato hash is delicious! The evening meal was the final meal that was “plantified” since she was also cooking with her husband. If you’re just starting out, consider tackling 1 meal at a time.
Many diet-related ailments can be prevented and even reversed with a whole food, plant-based diet
Lexie recommends “healthifying” your favorite meals and snacks first. If pasta is one of your go-to’s, try out whole grain or bean/lentil-based pastas and switch from cream-base sauces to cashew- or veggie-based sauces. Those are easy swaps that turn a nutrient-lacking meal into a nutrient-dense one. Plus you can keep enjoying your favorites!
We make a lot of meals at home and share many of our plant-based creations on our blog: www.Wholly-Plants.com.
always make our bowls as colorful as we possibly can!
when there’s a crowd, with all of the fixings, of course!
Natalie makes our Plant-Based Spicy Black Bean Patties every week because her husband takes them for lunch every day. He’s done this for at least 3 years now so they must be pretty good! https://www.wholly-plants.com/spicy-black-bean-patties/
Another great burger is our Bomb Beet Burger. It’s (by far) our most popular recipe and gets raving reviews. We love this recipe because the burger is pretty and purple, though doesn’t taste like beets! https://www.wholly-plants.com/bomb-beet-burgers/
SPICY BLACK BEAN PATTIES WITH SRIRACHA AIOLI BOMB BEET BURGERS
If you’re looking for a treat, our Plant-Based Double-Chocolate Mint Bites are Natalie’s favorite. https://www.wholly-plants.com/double-chocolate-mint-bites/
If you’re looking for a delish nutrient-dense breakfast, Lexie recommends the Daily Dozen Chocolate Waffles. Those are our weekend go-to. https://www.wholly-plants.com/daily-dozen-chocolate-waffles/
DOUBLE-CHOCOLATE MINT BITES DAILY DOZEN CHOCOLATE WAFFLES
Not only do humans not require animal products, but we are actually healthier without them
People often don’t seem all that surprised that I, Natalie, avoid animal products, but I regularly get the question “What does your husband eat!?!” My response to this is simply “Whatever I cook!” Though my husband didn’t start eating a plant-based diet when I did, we quickly found some plant-based meals that he enjoyed (and ones he didn’t enjoy!). Over time we stopped having any animal products in the house and now he rarely eats them even when we’re outside of the house.
It was never my goal to convert him to a plant-based diet, but it’s been exciting to see him enjoy the benefits of forgoing animal products. Our journey together has taught me that everyone should choose their way of eating, but the power of introducing delicious and nourishing foods to others should never be underestimated!
butter.
We have seen people eat a plant-based diet consisting of only fruits and vegetables or jump right in by eating a can of beans every day. These can make the diet unsustainable. This is easily avoided if you are well-equipped with the right information and support!
As Registered Dietitians we recognize that changing one’s eating habits can be a challenge. When adopting a plant-based diet, we highly recommend setting yourself up for success by doing some research and considering getting support.
Here are two great places to start – https://www.wholly-plants.com/5-simple-ways-to-get-started/ , https://www.wholly-plants.com/why-whole-food-plant-based/ . Working with someone, such as a Dietitian or other professional knowledgeable about plant-based eating, can ensure that your transition goes smoothly.
Sisters! love them both. The way their knowledge about nutrition makes them delight over food rather than be uptight about it is refreshing. So often there is urgency and insistence between the lines of articles having to do with diet. Their dishes look like feasts. The food colors and photography make my mouth water! Good day, Thank you!