Plant Proof - Plant Based Nutrition & Inspirational Stories

There are a myriad of defining factors linking the way we eat to the way we experience health. Regulating blood sugar and hunger hormones help form these, and Kelly LeVeque uses her platform to educate and inform people on how to eat to feel fuelled and grounded. Kelly is a holistic nutritionist, wellness expert, celebrity health coach, and bestselling author of Body Love and Body Love Every Day. With a background in cancer and genetics research, Kelly returned to study a postgraduate degree in nutrition. She places a particular focus on eating to optimise blood sugar balance, developing personalised plans for her clients that consider lifestyle sustainability and ensuring they feel their best. At the end of the day, Kelly’s focus is ensuring that her clients feel in control of and empowered by their food choices. Her philosophy revolves around the “Fab 4” structure, prioritising protein, fat, fibre, and leafy greens to promote blood sugar balance. In this episode, you’ll learn about blood glucose control an

In Episode #194, I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Professors David Raubenheimer and Stephen J. Simpson. For over thirty years, David and Stephen, leading researchers from the University of Sydney, have been studying how nature can teach us about the science of healthy eating: how and why we eat, how appetites are fed and regulated, and how, in the end, it all comes back to five appetites.   Topics covered include how Steve and David’s ‘Eat Like the Animals’ project came about, the findings from their study on the dietary patterns of locusts, the process by which signals are released that create an appetite for protein, the negative health outcomes of consuming ultra-processed foods and reducing protein intake, what happens when you overconsume protein, the importance of protein quality, and the changes in our protein requirements as we age. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to su

In Episode #193, I sat down with registered dietitian Taylor Wolfram to talk about diet culture, intuitive eating, and ways to build a healthier relationship with food. We discussed Taylor’s journey to discovering a passion for nutrition and plant-based eating, her approach for achieving the best health outcomes for her patients, and what it means to have a healthy relationship with food. Our conversation covered disordered eating, diet culture, intuitive eating, the perception of a plant-based diet as restrictive, plant-based diets and eating disorders, and much more. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and famil

In Episode #192, I sat down with Carleigh Bodrug, author of the new plant-based cook book Plant You, to talk about simple ways to eat more plants for a healthier and happier life. Carleigh shared how she manages her busy life, her experience during the pandemic, why and how her family changed their diet, and her recommendations for transitioning to a plant-based diet.   You’ll also find out about the toughest meal to turn plant-based, the cost of eating plant-based, how to cover nutritional needs on a plant-based diet, how to cook oil free, and much more. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill

In Episode #191, I sat down with Stanford University Professors Dr Christopher Gardner and Dr Justin Sonnenburg to talk about fermented foods, fibre, gut health, and immunity. This conversation was organised following the results of their latest randomised controlled trial, ‘gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status’, which was published in Cell Press in 2021.   Listen to this episode to find out about what defines a healthy microbiome, what we can learn from studying the microbiomes of traditional populations such as the Hadza tribe, and so much more. Justin and Christopher also share the mission behind their study of fibre and fermented foods, what they found (including their findings regarding fibre intake and the effectiveness of probiotics), and the key takeaways.   For more from Christopher Gardner, check out Episodes #145, #167, and #228. For more from Justin Sonnenburg, check out Episode #202. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes. Enjoy,

In Episode #190, I sat down with Professor Stuart Phillips to discuss the importance of exercise, nutrition, and recovery in building muscle and improving strength: a pursuit that’s important not only to bodybuilders and athletes but to all of us wishing to maintain a high quality of life as we age.   In this episode, we covered the importance of fitness and resistance training for healthy ageing, what happens at the cellular level during resistance training and muscle growth, and the key aspects of recovery. We also discussed the importance of protein for building muscle, how amino acids work, the optimal amount of protein we should be consuming, the risks of overconsumption, and the importance of protein source (animal versus plant).   For more from Stuart, see Episode #210 and #228. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes. Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our spons

In Episode #189, I sat down with Gemma Newman, MD, to talk about all things menopause. This episode covers what menopause is, its stages, why it occurs, its common symptoms and associated symptoms (such as bone mineral density loss and cardiovascular disease), and lifestyle changes that can help with menopause symptoms. For example, we discussed how to reduce symptoms with diet; the importance of healthy fats, fibre, and protein; iron and iodine needs during menopause; supplement recommendations; skin and hair health; and much more. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)  Crea

In Episode #188, a throwback to previous episodes, we hear from neurologists Dean and Ayesha Sherzai on building a lifestyle that promotes brain health. Topics covered include the optimal daily routine for brain health, nutrition for brain health, healthy fats and the ketogenic diet, depression and the importance of a lifestyle approach, and tips for reducing stress and creating clarity for your mind.   To hear more from Drs Dean and Ayesha Sherzai, check out episodes #65, #78, #97, #117, #126, and #226. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)  Creator of theproof.com and host

In Episode #187, I sat down with Megan Lee to talk about food and mental health. Megan is a career researcher, scientist, and academic at Bond University on the Gold Coast here in Australia. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychological science (with honours) and her PhD in nutritional psychiatry is currently under examination. She has published research on food and mood, body image, disordered eating, dietary patterns, mental health, and occupational stress in academia. Following some back-and-forth on Twitter about the representation of one of her studies in the media, I invited her onto the show. Some of the topics covered in this conversation include the current scientific understanding of the effect our diet can have on our mental health, anti-depressant medications and the lack of lifestyle approaches to dealing with mental health, the results from her study of plant-based eaters and depression, and the media’s misrepresentation of the study’s results. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof

In Episode #186, a condensed throwback to Episode #15, we hear from chef Derek Sarno. Derek is the co-founder of Wicked Kitchen – a food company offering plant-based food in major grocery outlets throughout the UK, Ireland, and the USA. Wicked Kitchen also has thousands of plant-based recipes available online. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)  Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill  Author of The Proof is in the Plants  Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify  Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook  Download my complim

In Episode #185, I sat back down with Nimai Delgado to continue our ongoing conversation about training, nutrition, supplementation, and life in general.   We chatted about Nimai’s current workout routine, how to choose an appropriate weight, how to train for failure, how to find the techniques that work for you, and optimal training for building muscle. We also covered the importance of protein in Nimai’s diet, his supplement routine, and his experimentation with saunas and ice baths. I hope you enjoy the episode. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)  Creator of theproof.co

In Episode #184, a condensed throwback to Episode #13 in 2018, we hear from Max La Manna on his decision to adopt a plant-based diet and why we should care about food waste.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)  Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill  Author of The Proof is in the Plants  Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify  Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook  Download my complimentary two-week meal plan and high protein Plant Performance recipe book

In Episode #183, I sat down with the iconic and eloquent Ed Winters, aka Earthling Ed, to chat about all things plant based. In this conversation, we covered Ed’s time holding university debates, how he stays calm in his conversations, and what he thinks about a more aggressive approach to activism. We also discussed Ed’s journey from vegetarian to plant-based eating, factory farming, our relationship with animals and the ways we devalue them, Ed’s response to the most common arguments against plant-based eating, and much more. Whether you’re following a plant-based lifestyle or not, I think you’ll find this conversation interesting and thought-provoking. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on

In Episode #182, a condensed throwback to Episode #54, we hear from Erin Ireland about transitioning her business to a plant-based company. This episode covers how Erin started a successful bakery business from her apartment, why she started her plant-based lifestyle, her experience feeding her daughter, the cost of vegan food, and how to go vegan. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)  Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill  Author of The Proof is in the Plants  Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify  Connect with me on Instagram, Twi

In Episode #181, I sat down with physician and lipid specialist Dr Spencer Nadolsky to talk about cholesterol, ketogenic diets, and cardiovascular disease. We discussed what lipids and lipoproteins are, what causes atherosclerosis (a condition involving the build-up of plaque within the arteries), the difference between apolipoprotein B and low-density lipoprotein, and how these proteins relate to atherosclerosis.   You’ll also hear about Dr Nadolsky’s pilot study of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia and his tips for reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill,

In Episode #180, a condensed throwback to Episode #32, we hear from chef Gaz Oakley on why he changed his diet and his approach to cooking. In our conversation, Gaz shared how he found his passion for cooking and how cooking traditional food has helped him to create vegan recipes. You’ll also hear about how he was able to quit his full-time job to work on the Avant Garde Vegan Instagram and YouTube, his philosophy when it comes to social media, his recipe creation process, and his goals for the future. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes. Enjoy, friends. Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)  Creator of theproof.com and host of Th

In Episode #179, I sat down with Doug Evans, serial entrepreneur and author of The Sprout Book, to chat about his journey in business – specifically his time building Organic Avenue and the rise and fall of the highly publicised Silicon Valley start-up Juicero. We also discussed how Doug discovered a passion for sprouts and cold-pressed juices, his family health issues and his diet prior to switching to a plant-based lifestyle, and what led him to a raw plant-based diet.   Doug is a close friend with a heart of gold. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and famil

In Episode #178, a condensed throwback to Episode #112, we hear from Harvard-trained psychologist Dr Melanie Joy about food ideology and speciesism.   This episode focuses on effectively communicating the message of following a plant-based lifestyle from a psychological perspective. Melanie shared her insights into cognitive dissonance, why people may react negatively to the plant-based message, and why the common arguments and approaches can push people in the opposite direction. If you want to know how to approach the topic of plant-based eating in a way that people will be receptive to, this is a great one to listen to. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sha

In Episode #177, I sat down with filmmaker Sanjay Rawal to talk about his film Gather, which documents the growing movement among Native Americans to reclaim their spiritual, political, and cultural identities through food sovereignty. In our conversation, we covered the story behind Gather, the evolution of the food system and how it has affected indigenous communities, the exploitation of the natural environment in the United States by European settlers in the 1850s, regenerative agriculture, Walmart and other major companies profiting off cheap labour and exploiting the environment, and the environmental impact of the food we eat. This episode also contains many fascinating insights into Native American communities and culture, both historic and modern, and how we can support Native Americans. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes. Enjoy, friends. Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered b

In Episode #176, I sat down with world-renowned chef, agent of change, and entrepreneur Matthew Kenney to talk about his journey and how chefs are in a prime position to help the world make better food choices. I hope you enjoy the episode. For more insights and reflections, visit The Proof website for the full show notes.    Enjoy, friends.   Simon Want to support the show?  The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)  Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill  Author of The Proof is in the Plants  Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify  Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook  Download my complimentary two-week meal plan and high protein Plant Performance recipe boo