When the UPF label doesn't tell the whole story:plant-based meat alternatives with Ginny Messina, RD
In a Nutshell: The Plant-Based Health Professionals UK PodcastShow Notes
In this episode, we are joined by registered dietitian and public health nutritionist Ginny Messina, MPH, RD, one of the most respected voices in plant-based nutrition. We dive into the growing controversy surrounding plant-based meat alternatives and ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Are plant-based burgers and sausages really as unhealthy as some headlines suggest? Does the UPF label tell us everything we need to know about a food's health effects? And how should we think about plant-based meat within the context of an overall healthy dietary pattern? Ginny is the author and co-author of several influential books, including Vegan for Life, and Even Vegans Die. She has spent decades helping people adopt nutritionally adequate plant-based diets grounded in science In this episode she brings her trademark evidence-based and nuanced perspective to explore: • What the science actually says about plant-based meat alternatives • The strengths and limitations of the NOVA classification system • Whether all ultra-processed foods should be viewed equally • The role of plant-based meats in supporting dietary transitions • Nutrient considerations for vegans and vegetarians • How to separate nutrition science from social media sensationalism https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1641234/full
To connect with Ginny: Website: The Vegan RD https://www.theveganrd.com Substack: Resistance Kitchen https://theresistancekitchen.substack.com Books: https://www.theveganrd.com/mybooks/ Vegan Nutrition Resources: https://www.theveganrd.com/vegan-nutrition-101/ 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/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.
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