Plant-Based Nutrition: The First Pillar of Lifestyle Medicine
Simple Steps to Improve Your Health with a Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet
Plant-Based Nutrition is the first of the 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine, identified by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and embraced by Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute (RLMI). Research shows that centering meals around whole plant foods can help prevent and even reverse many chronic illnesses while also supporting long-term well-being.
Ted Barnett, MD, FACLM (“Dr. Veggie”), RLMI Founding President
A Note from Dr. Veggie
One of the most important steps you can take to improve your health is to adopt a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet. My family—including three adult children—has been eating plants-only since 1991, ever since I first read the pioneering work of Dr. Dean Ornish.
Over the years, I’ve seen countless people, including those who have joined our 15-Day WFPB Jumpstart, experience rapid improvements in mood, weight, energy, cholesterol, blood sugar, and more—often within just a few weeks.
Plus, eating entirely from plants gives us the chance to leave behind not just a healthier body, but also a healthier planet for future generations.
Eat well and prosper!
– Ted Barnett, MD, FACLM (“Dr. Veggie”)
What Is a Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet?
A WFPB diet is built around vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. It avoids animal products entirely and minimizes processed foods such as oils, refined grains, and added sugars.
As author Michael Pollan put it:
“If it came from a plant, eat it. If it was made in a plant, don’t.”
Or, as Wendell Berry once observed:
“People are fed by the food industry, which pays no attention to health, and are treated by the health industry, which pays no attention to food.”
Health and Planetary Benefits of Plant-Based Nutrition
A growing body of evidence links plant-based eating to:
Lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity
Improved energy, mood, and overall vitality
Sustainable weight management
Reduced environmental impact and a healthier planet
Take the Next Step
Plant-Based Nutrition is more than a diet—it’s a pillar of Lifestyle Medicine and a foundation for lifelong health.
Join the RLMI Community → Access live support meetings, discussion groups, and premium content.
Explore our 15-Day Whole-Food Plant-Based Jumpstart → A guided, evidence-based program to help you reset your health and experience the benefits of plant-based eating.
