When learning about nutrition, I recommend staying away from social media wellness influencers and focusing on learning from experts first. Here are plant-based doctors and nutritionists who are highly recognised in their field. If you are beginning your plant-based diet journey, check them out. Of course, you will find them on social media, but I recommend reading a few plant-based books to deepen your knowledge.
Here are ten plant-based diet experts from whom I have learned the most. Most are from the US, and some are from the UK.
1. Dr. Michael Greger
Dr Michael Greger is my favourite plant-based expert. He is known for his pursuit of evidence-based vegan nutrition, which he presents in an accessible and very engaging manner.
I have learned the most about plant-based nutrition from his “How Not To …” series of books. They are brilliant and very educational. I would definitely recommend Dr. Michael Greger for his very scientific and detailed knowledge of nutrition.
Michael Greger founded NUTRITIONFACTS.ORG – a science-based nonprofit organisation that provides free updates on the latest nutrition research.
Michael Greger also provides a free, very easy-to-use healthy eating tracking app called Daily Dozen.
Books:
2. Dr. T. Colin Campbell
Dr. T. Colin Campbell pioneered WFPBD (whole-food plant-based diet). He is best known for the most comprehensive nutrition study ever run, “The China Study,” which explored the relationship between consuming animal-based products and increased disease rates. He advocates a whole-food, plant-based diet to significantly reduce chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer.
If you are interested in a holistic plant-based diet and want to learn more, you can sign up for Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s Plant-Based Nutrition Certification Course. As a recent graduate, I recommend this six-week whole-food plant-based course.
3. Dr. Neal Barnard
Dr. Barnard’s work focuses extensively on the impacts of diet on diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and chronic pain, among other health issues. He is the founder and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), an organisation that promotes preventive medicine. His approach often highlights the benefits of a low-fat, vegan diet in managing and reversing health conditions without medication.
Books:
His newly released book reveals three breakthroughs that are supported by science, revealing that certain foods can:
- Reduce the appetite;
- Trap calories so they cannot be absorbed
- Increase the body’s ability to burn calories after each meal.
4.Christopher Gardner, PhD
Dr. Christopher Gardner is a significant figure in nutrition science. He currently holds the Rehnborg Farquhar Professor of Medicine position at Stanford University. He leads the Stanford-led Plant-Based Diet Initiative (PBDI), researching the benefits of a plant-based diet and how it affects human and environmental health.
He advocates for a practical approach to nutrition, suggesting that even small reductions in meat consumption and increases in plant-based foods can lead to significant health improvements.
You might know Dr. Christopher Gardner from a recent documentary on Netflix.
‘You Are What You Eat Twin Experiment’. You can read more about it here.
5. Dr Caldwell Esselstyn
Dr Caldwell Esselstyn is known for his work in preventing and reversing heart disease through a plant-based diet.
A former surgeon, Dr. Esselstyn joined the Cleveland Clinic in 1968, specialising in thyroid and breast cancer surgery. His groundbreaking research began in the 1980s when he conducted a long-term nutritional study demonstrating that a plant-based, oil-free diet could stop and reverse coronary artery disease. Dr. Esselstyn emphasises the elimination of not only meat and dairy but also any processed oils, supporting a whole plant-based diet.
Books:
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure
6. Dr. Michael Klaper
Dr. Michael Klaper is a respected physician and educator who has advocated a plant-based diet for over three decades. With a career dedicated to preventive and nutritional medicine, Dr. Klaper supports a whole-food, plant-based diet to improve overall health and prevent chronic diseases. His approach is holistic, considering the physical benefits of a plant-based diet and its impact on environmental sustainability and animal welfare. Dr. Klaper’s extensive lectures, articles, and video series educate people on how proper nutrition can act as the foundation for a healthy life. His message emphasises the connection between what we eat and how we feel, urging a shift from ultra-processed foods to a natural, minimally processed plant-based diet.
If you would like to transition to a plant-based healthy diet but don’t know where to start, you can take the Moving Medicine Forward Masterclass designed by DR. Michael Klaper.
7. Dr. Brooke Goldner
Dr. Brooke Goldner is a highly regarded physician best known for her work in using nutrition to treat autoimmune diseases. Her personal journey of overcoming lupus, a serious autoimmune condition, with a plant-based diet she devised, has inspired her professional focus on helping others achieve their healthiest lives through diet.
Her approach is not just about managing symptoms but rather addressing the underlying health issues through nutritional changes. Through her online platform, seminars, and workshops, Dr Goldner educates individuals on how powerful a plant-based diet can be in promoting healing and health.
Books:
8. Dr. Dean Ornish
Dr. Dean Ornish is a well-known cardiologist and lifestyle medicine pioneer. His research has revolutionized the way we understand and treat chronic diseases.
Dr. Dean Ornish is the founder of the nonprofit Preventive Medicine Research Institute and Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF. His programs have been clinically proven to improve a range of chronic conditions, from type 2 diabetes, and heart disease to early-stage prostate cancer. Dr Dean Ornish’s work emphasizes the power of simple lifestyle changes ( eat well, stress less, love more, move more) to improve health and wellness, challenging the traditional reliance on pharmaceutical and surgical interventions in healthcare.
9. Dr Gemma Newman
Dr. Gemma Newman is a family physician with a passion for holistic health and wellness, especially the transformative power of a plant-based diet. Known as “The Plant Power Doctor,” she has become a leading voice in advocating for nutritional medicine to prevent and treat chronic diseases in the UK. Dr Newman shares her extensive knowledge through public speaking, books, and her active presence on social media, where she provides insights into how dietary choices can profoundly affect your health, mental well-being, and longevity. She focuses not only on diet but also on other aspects of lifestyle, such as mindfulness and exercise, to promote complete well-being.
10. Dr Alan Desmond
Dr. Alan Desmond is an inspiring figure in gastroenterology. He is particularly known for his advocacy of a plant-based diet as a tool to improve gut health and prevent chronic diseases. Dr. Desmond’s approach integrates the latest scientific research with practical dietary advice, helping us achieve optimal health through nutrition. His work emphasizes the importance of a diverse, plant-rich diet in promoting a healthy microbiome, which is crucial for overall health and well-being.
10 plant-based diet experts summary
I hope you found this roundup helpful! The world is full of incredible experts championing plant-based diets, each bringing something unique and insightful. Who stands out to you in the world of plant-based nutrition? Let me know your favourites!
If you need some cooking inspiration, here is a list of the Best Plant-Based Cooking Influencers On Instagram.
Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you buy the books listed at no extra cost to you. For more details, please check out my Affiliate Disclosure.
Silvija Meilunaite PN1-NC, is a certified nutrition coach and a writer in the nutrition and self-improvement field with a passion for exploring science-based knowledge focusing on holistic health and plant-based nutrition.
Featured in the Wellness on Time magazine.
