In a Nutshell: The Plant-Based Health Professionals UK Podcast
Episodes
Investing in heart health: cholesterol and the Portfolio diet, with Dr David Jenkins MD, PhD, DSc
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are joined by Dr. David Jenkins, MD, PhD, DSc, a globally recognised leader in nutrition science, research and metabolic health.Dr...
Calcium: beyond plant milk
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week the hosts of In a Nutshell ask an important question. Can you get enough calcium on a plant-based diet without fortified foods? And even if ...
Dirty washing: when sustainability claims in advertising aren't so clean, with Nicola Wilks
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 8 of this season we discuss the food industry's role in green washing, health washing, and welfare washing. Nicola Wilks from Adfree Cit...
Iron and phytates: strange bedfellows?
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week a listener question has prompted us to discuss iron absorption and the effect of anti-nutrients. In particular, do phytates and oxalates in ...
Eat more, lose weight: protein, fibre, and the GLP-1 connection, with Soraya Pineda RD
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we’re joined by registered dietitian Soraya Pineda, to explore the science of weight loss, satiety, and appetite regulation.Soray...
Craving creatine?
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ever found yourself drawn to a supplement and don't know why? With brand names like Bulk, Impact, and Warrior, it's no wonder you may hav...
Lunch and learn: school food as a foundation for health, with Sophia Millar
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What children eat at school has the potential to shape their health for decades to come.In this episode, we speak with Sophia Millar from ProVeg UK ab...
Going oil-free for cardiovascular health, with Sue Brewer
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week's nugget discusses the evidence around including oil in our diets, showcasing a special interview with expert patient Sue Brewer who in ...
Root causes: conservation agriculture for human and planetary health, with Professor Amir Kassam
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore how agricultural systems shape human and planetary health.We are joined by Professor Amir Kassam, a globally recognised ex...
Organic produce: a healthy investment?
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Nutshell , Daisy and Clare discuss whether paying more for organic produce pays off in terms of health benefits. There are lots of th...
From controversy to clarity: the truth on soya, with Dr Mark Messina
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From fears around hormone disruption, thyroid health, breast cancer, fertility, and even feminising effects in men, soy has been surrounded by controv...
Does your cancer doctor know what you should eat?
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's nugget, Plant-Based Health Professionals' founder, Dr Shireen Kassam takes us through two recently published papers exploring what onco...
Autoimmune disease: food as a first defence, with Karen Lee
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the podcast we speak with nutritionist, author, and retired ITU nurse, Karen Lee. Karen shares her journey of following a whole-food pl...
Avoiding any unnecessary upset: bacterial pathogens and meat
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's nugget, we explore some of the knowns and unknowns when it comes to eating farmed animals who may carry bacteria known to cause d...
Moving medics forward, with Dr Michael Klaper
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are thrilled to be speaking with Dr Michael Klaper, M.D.Dr Klaper is an experienced physician, educator, and author who has spent decade...
Sharing is caring: how a whole food plant-based diet reversed my symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, with Kate Dunbar
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week's bonus episode completes our two-parter on psoriasis, as we hear from PBHP member, Kate Dunbar, who prior to the adoption of a whole fo...
Feeding the skin from within: food choices to support psoriasis, with Dr Thivi Maruthappu
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We are so excited to be back In The Nutshell as we kick off season six with dual qualified NHS Consultant Dermatologist and nutritionist Dr Thivi Ma...
Tempeh stuffing balls and beyond: plant-based Christmas, with Vanessa Sturman
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Sturman, food coach, is back to guide us on a flexible approach to Christmas plant-based food. She discusses how to enjoy food and celebrate C...
No sugar coating: plants reverse diabetes , with Dr Chidi Ngwaba
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 8 of season 5, we speak with lifestyle medicine expert, and Plant-Based Health Professionals Ambassador, Dr. Chidi Ngwaba.Dr Chidi breaks ...
Eating plant-based for kidney health: a patient's journey, with Cade Morant
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It will come as no surprise to our regular listeners that kidney disease is another area in which a healthy plant-based diet supports better health. W...
Seaweed: a sustainable catch without the fishy business, with Jenny Griffiths
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 7 of the season we dive deep into the world of seaweed. Seaweed is considered one of the most nutrient-dense, sustainable, and surprisingly...
Join in for your joints: the launch of Plants for Health
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Researching the links between diet and cancer, with Dr Urvi A. Shah MD, MS
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Nutshell, we are joined by Dr. Urvi A. Shah, MD, MS, a board-certified haematologist-oncologist, and physician scientist with experti...
How to share the plant-based love with colleagues
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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....
A second helping of the planetary health diet: Eat Lancet 2.0
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Nutshell we hear from Dr Shireen Kassam, founder and director of Plant-Based Health Professionals U.K. alongside research dietitian...
Jacket required: how well do your potatoes scrub up?
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
No (potato) waffling this week as we're speaking up for potatoes. We summarise results from a study which assessed associations between eating potatoe...
Plants First Healthcare update: developing a taste for sustainable food, with Sarah Bentley
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Wild ideas?
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Your protein booster: myth-busting with Dr Matthew Nagra
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Vancouv...
No grains no gains: the whole story on cutting hypertension risk
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's nugget, take some time to relax and drop the pressure as Plant-Based Health Professionals' researcher and dietitian Michael Metoudi exp...
Fishing for answers? Talking essentials of omega 3s, with Dr Tim Radak
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 L...
More evidence plant-based diets reduce cancer risk
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last month there were positive headlines on how opting for a plant-based diet could significantly reduce cancer risk. This was following the latest st...
Living longer and healthier: getting closer to Blue Zone life, with Dan Buettner
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to Season 5 of In A NutshellWe are so excited to be back and we have a fantastic season lined up for you, full of inspiring guests and s...
In it for the long run: the path of Paul Youd
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Sowing the seeds: nutrition for children, with Ailsa McHardy, RD
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For episode 15 we are joined by Plant-Based Health Professionals U.K. member, Ailsa McHardy, registered paediatric dietitian, and founder of Little Nu...
Plants first and last: the world's first vegan hospital
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 George...
The silent pandemic: how animal farming fuels antibiotic resistance, with Cóilín Nunan
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Bean meaning to tell you...
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 se...
Meat the truth: time to diversify our protein sources, with Rebecca Tobi and Dr Shireen Kassam
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Keep it plant-based: Middle Eastern cuisine
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 wh...
Plant-powered progress: transforming food systems for a cooler planet, with Professor Paul Behrens
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Sch...
Getting lifestyle medicine into the NHS, with Dr Camille Hirons
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's 'nugget' episode showcases the work of Dr Camille Hirons, a GP with special interest in lifestyle medicine and reducing health...
Wholefood wisdom: power-full without Ozempic, with Dr Neal Barnard
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are pleased to be welcoming Dr Neal Barnard, M.D. to the Nutshell.Dr Barnard has an incredible plant-based health CV including founding...
Pass the salt
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sea salt, iodised salt, Himalayan salt, and lo-salt: what should we be using? Well less of all of them it seems, but why exactly, and how can we do th...
Eating plant-based for kidney health: lessons on CKD, with Angeline Taylor RD
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, in episode 10, we are talking about chronic kidney disease and diet, and so are excited to be joined by Angeline Taylor, a registered dieti...
Why we should go nuts for nuts.
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nuts are full of fibre, unsaturated fats, vitamins, and polyphenols. So this week's nugget will get you up to speed on why you should be including...
First do no harm: medicine without cruelty, with Savita Nutan
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In line with the recent World Day for Laboratory Animals on 24th April, we spoke with Savita Nutan, founder of Medicine Without Cruelty.In this epis...
I should cocoa
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrating with chocolate can continue. Just make sure it's the dark variety (for maximum flavanoids), you're mindful of portion control, and...
Spring into action: growing, eating, and preserving, with Daphne Lambert
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we welcome nutritionist and founding member of Greencuisine Trust, Daphne Lambert, to the Nutshell.Daphne has cooked, studied, taught and wr...
Not just for vegans...supplementing with B12
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's nugget: Is supplementing with B12 unnatural? Is there a role for fortification? And how would I even know if I was deficient in B12...
Bowel cancer awareness: nurture your colon, reduce your risk, with Dr Alan Desmond
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
April is bowel cancer awareness month. With this in mind we talk to Dr Alan Desmond, consultant gastroenterologist, about how to reduce our risk of de...
What's our beef with haem iron?
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's crush this myth once and for all that red meat is the go-to if your iron levels are low. You asked us for some straight-forward guidance on ensu...
Diverticular disease: pocket the benefits of fibre, with Dr Alan Desmond
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 6 we welcome back Dr Alan Desmond, Consultant Gastroenterologist, to discuss the surprisingly common bowel condition, diverticular disease....
Food for Thought: what can this film teach us about motivating people to eat a plant-based diet
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode, we talk to the directors Dan Richardson and Giles Alderson about the story of their joint film, Food for Thought. We wanted to ...
Is your dietitian full of beans? Surveying the profession on plant-based diets
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we welcome Michael Metoudi, RD, M.Sc, a registered dietitian working within both research and clinical practice. Michael talks about his res...
How sustainable are hospital menus in the UK?
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's over to Plant-Based Health Professionals researcher Isabelle Sadler for this week's nugget. PBHP UK have published groundbreaking research exami...
Digging deeper on diabetes: when to suspect MODY, with Rohini Bajekal
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of Rare Disease Day on the 28th February, we speak with nutritionist, author and lifestyle medicine professional Rohini Bajekal about a rarer f...
More cash(ews) with our food budgeting tips
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you literally sick of bringing home the bacon? Good news is plant-based diets are not only healthier, but they can also be cheaper. In this week&#...
Skin health: berries not botox, with Star Khechara
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we had the pleasuring of speaking with the fabulous skin specialist, Star Khechara. With a 20 year career spanning skincare formulation and ...
What's actually in milk?
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's nugget reacts to the latest efforts by the dairy industry to make cow's milk more 'sustainable'. We'll be talking abou...
Liver health: losing the fat you can't see, with Dr Saima Ajaz
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Ajaz is a Specialist Hepatologist and a Lifestyle Medicine Physician, and her work intersects clinical medicine and research within the Institute o...
The work that bees do
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if there aren't enough bees in the right place at the right time for my almond monoculture? And am I okay to have a bit of local honey without ca...
Standing the test of time: plant-based eating as we grow older, with Brenda Davis RD
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week we were lucky enough to speak with internationally acclaimed dietician and plant-based pioneer, Brenda Davis, R.D. Brenda has a truly impre...
Is a plant-based diet too high in carbohydrates to control diabetes?
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's the end of Season 3 and this week's nugget is all about why healthy carbohydrates (the mainstay of wholefood plant-based diets) are no bad thing ...
Not under the influence: choosing better health, with the alcohol free warrior, Neil Rutherford
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we speak with The Alcohol Free Warrior - Neil Rutherford. Neil is a member of the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK and shares with us how...
Avocados
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did anyone ever try to make you feel guilty about eating the 'Green Gold'? Do you feel you need more avocado facts? If the answer to either of these q...
The foods your prostate would want you to eat, with Dr Benny Gavi M.D and Maya Eylon
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we speak to the authors of the brilliant book 'Preventing Prostate Cancer: Reduce Your Risk with Simple Proactive Choices' , Dr Benny Gavi M...
Eye health: cataracts and more
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered whether you can do more for your eye health than just eat carrots? Turns out a plant-based diet can protect against common diseases such...
Hip hip hooray: here's to fracture free living and healthy bones on a plant-based diet, with Dr Rajiv Bajekal
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we talk about all things bone health on the podcast. From what foods to eat to improve bone health and reduce the risk of hip fractures...
Coconut oil
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Often touted as a health food, and a common ingredient of cakes, biscuits and plant-based cheeses, we ask whether we should be favouring, or avoiding,...
Prescribing lifestyle medicine for chronic fatigue syndrome, with Dr Tila Kansagra
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week we are discussing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with Dr Tila Kansagra. Dr Kansagra is a UK based GP of British South Asian heritage who’...
Vaping
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this Nutshell nugget, we're branching into the pillar of lifestyle medicine known as avoidance of toxic substances. We're discussing vaping. If you...
Getting health on the menu: campaigning for plant-based change in hospitals and beyond, with Dr Shireen Kassam
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week in the Nutshell we have the honour of welcoming back our first ever guest, founder of Plant-Based Health Professionals U.K. and Consultant ...
Eggs
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's something missing from what we learned in school about eggs. Hopefully Daisy and Clare have it covered in this nugget. Evidence based, of cour...
Kale and polish: advice from a plant-based dentist, with Dr Keval Shah
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week in the Nutshell we have a real first for you - a plant-based dentist, Dr Keval Shah. In this fascinating discussion we covered all sorts ...
Chicken
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The closest we will ever get to producing a chicken nugget is this mini-episode to evaluate whether chicken has earned its place as a healthier choice...
Gut feelings and plant-based diets: help for IBS, with Hazel Clarke RD
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we take a deep dive into Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a complex yet common condition. We discuss how the diagnosis is made, what ...
Where to start with prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whilst this nugget may not help you tell the difference between kimchi and kombucha, we do talk you through what is meant by a prebiotic, a probiotic ...
Plants for Joints, with Dr Carlijn Wagenaar
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Season three of the Nutshell begins with an interview with Dr. Carlijn Wagenaar, who joined us from the Netherlands, to discuss the findings of the ra...
Lectins
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lectins: even the word sounds like they might be something not nice. Here we discuss these proteins which have received a lot of attention in recent y...
Heart and soul: food, race and health inequalities, with Dr Kim Williams
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 14 we speak to Cardiologist, Dr Kim Williams, a Fellow and former President of the American College of Cardiology, guest editor and editori...
Magnesium
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've had a listener question! We were asked whether plant-based diets can cause magnesium levels to drop, and whether taking supplements can help...
Periods, PMS, and PMDD: how can diet and lifestyle help, with Dr Hannah Short
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode thirteen we welcome Dr Hannah Short a GP Specialist in Menopause, Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) and Premenstrual Syndrome. H...
Plant-based diets in pregnancy
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've had a listener question! Do you need to do anything differently if planning a pregnancy on a plant-based diet? Or if you are pregnant and wa...
Food coaching: opening your mind and your cupboard, with Vanessa Sturman
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode twelve we welcome Vanessa Sturman, a Plant Based Health Coach and founder of Energise and Thrive Plant Based. She helps people reduce fati...
Help with wholegrains
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this nugget we explain what is meant by wholegrains, discuss good examples of edible ones, and why it's important to eat them above their white...
Cholesterol and diet: beans over genes, with Dr Sundhya Raman
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode eleven we focus on one of the top causes of premature death in the western world - cardiovascular disease, as we speak with Dr Sundhya Ram...
Plant-based diets, health risks, and an umbrella review.
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this nugget we spend a few minutes unpacking the recent study from researchers at the University of Bologna, 'Cardiovascular health and cancer ...
Healthy ageing: the power of plants and movement, with Jane Thurnell-Read
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 10 we have a wonderful chat with Jane Thurnell -Read on the subject of older adults, plant-based diets, and health. Jane is an author, blo...
The goodness in seitan
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this nugget we take a few minutes to sing the nutritional praises of seitan. If you're keen to make your own, like Daisy: https://veryveganval....
Ultra-processed foods and health: hard evidence or hysteria, with Jenny Chapman
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 9, we had an informative discussion with Jenny Chapman, a Churchill Fellow and food systems researcher. Jenny has a degree in Biolog...
Keeping up with men's health
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this nugget we look at the evidence for diet to improve prostate cancer outcomes and the influence diet can have on erectile dysfunction. ED HPFS p...
Food: seeking environmental and social justice, with Dr Tushar Mehta
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 8, we talk to Dr. Tushar Mehta, about how the impact of our food choices goes way beyond climate change. Dr Mehta completed medical school ...
Doing what you can to prevent kidney stones
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's nugget, we unpack the often painful experience of kidney stones and how to reduce your chances of them through diet and lifestyle.
Tackling the obesity crisis, part 2: recruit your microbiome, with Dr Chris Damman
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 7 we discuss the role of the gut microbiome in weight management, and how weight loss injections like Ozempic and Wegovy are inspired by th...
Omega 3s: letting fish off the hook
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this nugget we highlight what you need to know about which plant foods and supplements contain omega 3s, and when you may need to focus more on the...
Tackling the obesity crisis, part 1: without another diet, with Dr Sue Kenneally
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 6, we welcome Dr Sue Kenneally, GP, Obesity Physician and Nutritionist. We discuss all aspects of body weight, from the health problems ass...
What you need to know about iodine
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What do you need to know about getting the right amount of iodine in your diet as a plant-based eater.
Food for (healthy) thought, with Dr Ishani Rao
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In Episode 5 we talk to Dr Ishani Rao, a GP taking a special interest in helping the plant-based community to prioritise mental health, as well as edu...
Soya: a pressing need
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the second mini episode on soya, some reassurance on environmental concerns, as well as encouragement to eat more!