We’re sisters, we’re Registered Dietitians and we eat plants… wholly plants. This wasn’t always the case. We grew up in a farming family where most meals centered around meat and were washed down with milk. While studying Dietetics as undergraduates and Nutrition in graduate school we learned about the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Food Pyramid, and MyPlate; animal products were main components of every nutrition lesson.
We’ve come a long way since those lessons. We now know that there is more than enough research to support a whole food, plant-based diet for disease prevention, longevity, and overall health. Incredible work has been done by numerous researchers and health professionals proving that not only do humans not require animal products, but we are actually healthier without them. Many diet-related ailments can be prevented and even reversed with a whole food, plant-based diet (check out: Why Whole Food Plant Based).
So what can you expect to find here on Wholly Plants? Anything that we think may be helpful in promoting a diet rich in whole, plant-based foods. In the resources tab we outline books and documentaries on the topics. This is how we got started down this path – looking at the research and diving into the scientific evidence. In the recipes section we provide recipes that are 100% plants. We started by making our typical recipes and simply substituting plant-based ingredients for the animal products in existing recipes. Many recipes were not created from scratch; we often find recipes and make tweaks to match our nutrition and taste preferences. Under the Food for Thought tab you’ll find tips and supporting insights.
We enjoy learning about the endless benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet as well as experiencing the rewards. As we continue to learn, we will continue to share with hopes of doing our part to promote the power of Wholly Plants.
Thanks for joining us!
Natalie & Lexie
Natalie Martin, MS, RD
Natalie has a Bachelor degree in Dietetics and Nutrition, Fitness and Health from Purdue University with a Master’s degree in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University and is certified as an Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. She completed her Dietetic Internship at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and then started her career there in the oncology unit. After leaving the hospital setting she took a position in the oil industry offering wellness services at the corporate headquarters, well-drilling sites and oil rigs. Natalie led the nutrition, fitness and wellness programs at an Indianapolis-based company for 5 years. She specializes in work-site health and well-being and is currently the Health Promotion Manager at Activate Healthcare.
Lexie Staten, MS, RD
Lexie has a Bachelor degree in Dietetics from Purdue University where she took an active role in nutrition research focusing on protein intake and exercise in relation to appetite and ingestive behaviors. Her Master’s degree is in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. She completed her Dietetic Internship at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. Following her internship, Lexie taught for three years at an International Baccalaureate Houston high school where she was an instructor of food science and culinary arts classes. She is now an Assistant Professor in the Exercise Science department at Trine University in Angola, Indiana where she teaches nutrition and wellness classes.
