Once you think about starting your plant-based journey you might realize that a lot of people have opinions on different diets. But who can you really trust and who is there to support you? In this post, we’ll provide tips and guidance on finding trustworthy plant-based healthcare providers who can support your nutrition journey.

When you talk to people about food or diets in general, most of them will have an opinion, whether they are qualified in the field or not. Sadly, when it comes to knowledge about nutrition, there is a lot of misinformation out there. It is very hard to tell a trustworthy, scientific source from an untrustworthy one. But, usually, when it comes to medical professionals, we tend to fully trust their knowledge of the human body and the food that it needs. To tell the truth, not everyone that works in healthcare is in full support of a plant-based diet, yet.

It might happen at your next doctor’s visit. You go in, you’re super excited, maybe you’re just going in for a regular check-up. All is well and then you tell them that you’ve made a major lifestyle change that you’re very happy about. For some reason, you are met with a negative reaction. They start asking you a bunch of questions and slowly, your enthusiasm for plant-based eating fades. Sadly, there are a lot of doctors who are (for various reasons) against plant-based eating. And, truth be told, most plant-based eaters or vegans have been in a similar situation. 

Plant-Based Nutrition Literacy

Many doctors are still misinformed when it comes to knowledge about nutrition. They maybe have taken one course at med school. But does that qualify them to question you about a choice that you have made after informing yourself thoroughly on it? I don’t think so. Because you’re here and you’re reading this. And, as you might know, when it comes to a plant-based diet, the focus tends to be on the “downsides”, rather than all the health benefits you can get out of it.   

But not to worry! Thankfully, there are more and more doctors out there who are in full support of eating plant-based, whether they’re plant-based themselves or not.

These are my three tips to find a plant-based doc near you.

1. Check out plantbaseddocs.com 

It’s a platform that is dedicated to finding medical professionals (not only doctors) that are plant-based, too. So, they know what you’re going through and they know what to look out for. Plus, they won’t try to convince you to eat any animal products. Yay!

2. Search via pcrm.org/findadoctor

The Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) also offer an online search to find a plant-based healthcare professional near you. You can also find telehealth appointments there in case you can’t find any doctors near where you live.

3. Ask around in your local plant-based/vegan Facebook group

Last but not least, being vegan or plant-based is always about being part of a community. So, try your local Facebook group dedicated to this topic and search for other people’s posts or post a question yourself. You might not find a plant-based doctor, but perhaps someone that is vegan-friendly. 

Because you deserve to be fully supported and to feel good about your conscious lifestyle decisions. You deserve to be seen by a healthcare provider that supports you and that also knows what they’re doing and what to check you for. Because going to see a doctor can be stressful as it is, without having the fear of being judged or questioned added on top. 

To notice red flags from the start and to know when to feel safe and seen, here is what a healthy, professional appointment with a healthcare provider should look like:

• They support you in your diet choices without questioning them
• They assist you in getting all the blood work that you need for your eating plant-based
• If they detect for example a low marker in your blood work, they don’t try to convince you that you need animal products in your life, rather they help you in other ways to support your plant-based diet
• They ask you for further details about your lifestyle without making broad assumptions about it 
• They perhaps refer you to a dietitian or nutritional professional that specializes in plant-based eating in case you need further assistance
• You feel good about your choice to eat (more) plant-based
  

If you want to dig a little bit deeper into this subject, we talk all about this in my group coaching program.

It is a great setting because not only will you get the support that you need and deserve, but you’ll also meet like-minded people that are in a similar situation as you are. These are, amongst others, the topics that we discuss in this program:

• How to talk to your doctor
• What labs to ask for when you’re plant-based
• What nutrients you need to supplement with
• And lots more

Want to learn more about the Plant Centred Nutrition Group Coaching program?