People have been eating food since the beginning of time. So why does eating seem so complicated? It’s not! However, there is a lot of misinformation out there. There are countless great resources on the internet that help clear up some of the misinformation. Here’s a starting point for evidence based, scientific facts on the matter of healthy eating with further links on each site for recipes and inspiration:
- NutritionFacts.org (nutritionfacts.org) — Dr. Michael Greger’s nonprofit site with thousands of evidence-based videos, articles, and blogs breaking down peer-reviewed studies on plant-based nutrition benefits; daily updates and source-linked content make it a top go-to for factual info.
- Vegan Health (veganhealth.org) — Run by registered dietitians (Jack Norris RD and others), this provides rigorously evidence-based reviews on vegan/plant-based nutrient needs (e.g., B12, protein, omega-3s, iron), supplementation, and health outcomes.
- Center for Nutrition Studies (nutritionstudies.org) — Founded by T. Colin Campbell (author of The China Study), it offers in-depth articles, courses, and guides on whole-food plant-based diets backed by research; strong on epidemiology and chronic disease prevention.
- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) (pcrm.org/good-nutrition) — Physician-led nonprofit with fact sheets, clinical trial summaries, and resources showing plant-based diets reduce risks for diabetes, heart disease, and more; includes starter kits and athlete nutrition.
- Forks Over Knives (forksoverknives.com) — Evidence-based hub inspired by The China Study and Dr. Esselstyn’s work; features articles, expert interviews, and studies on WFPB for reversing heart disease, inflammation, and other conditions.
- American College of Lifestyle Medicine – Plant-Based Nutrition Section (lifestylemedicine.org/benefits-plant-based-nutrition) — Professional organization with key studies, nutrient guides, and series on how plant-based diets improve outcomes; cites RCTs, meta-analyses, and position statements.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – The Nutrition Source (nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu) — Prestigious academic resource with evidence reviews on plant-based/plant-forward diets, Healthy Eating Plate visuals, and links to large cohort studies showing benefits for longevity and disease prevention.
- Mayo Clinic – Vegetarian Diet Guide (mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/vegetarian-diet/art-20046446) — Reputable medical institution’s practical, science-backed guide to plant-based eating, nutrient adequacy, and health advantages.
- American Heart Association – Plant-Forward Eating (heart.org – search for plant-based benefits) — Evidence summaries on how plant-based patterns lower cardiovascular risk, backed by their guidelines and research.
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Position on Vegetarian Diets (eatright.org – search for position papers) — Official stance from the world’s largest dietetics organization affirming well-planned plant-based diets are healthful and nutritionally adequate for all life stages (updated periodically with citations).
- Plant Based Health Professionals UK (plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com) — Physician/dietitian-led with annual roundups of top science papers supporting plant-based nutrition; includes practical evidence on disease reversal and nutrient adequacy.
- Doctors For Nutrition (doctorsfornutrition.org) — International group of health professionals providing evidence-based education, resources, and advocacy for plant-based diets in preventing chronic illness.
- Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute (rochesterlifestylemedicine.org) — Focuses on evidence-based WFPB programs (e.g., 15-Day Jumpstart) with clinical outcomes data for reversing lifestyle diseases.
- Plant-Based Nutrition Support Group (pbnsg.org) — Nonprofit dedicated to evidence-based WFPB education and advocacy for disease prevention/reversal.
- Stanford Plant-Based Diet Initiative (med.stanford.edu/nutrition/programs-and-initiatives/plant-based-diet-initiative.html) — University-led research hub exploring health/environmental benefits of plant-based diets with grants and symposia.
- American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) (aicr.org – plant-based sections) — Cancer-focused nonprofit with research-backed tips and recommendations integrating plant-based eating into their 10 Cancer Prevention guidelines.
- Blue Zones – Whole Food Plant-Based Guide (bluezones.com or related health sections) — Draws from longevity research in blue zones (mostly plant-based diets) with evidence on life extension and disease reduction.
- Dr. John McDougall’s Site (drmcdougall.com) — Longtime advocate with starch-based WFPB resources grounded in clinical experience and studies on starch-centered plant diets for health.
- PubMed / NIH – Plant-Based Diet Reviews (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – search “plant-based diet” meta-analysis or review) — Direct access to peer-reviewed papers; key for primary evidence (e.g., recent 2025 updates on nutritional adequacy and CVD/cancer prevention).
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans (dietaryguidelines.gov – 2020-2025 and updates) — U.S. government resource highlighting plant-rich patterns for health; includes scientific reports supporting increased plant foods.
These sources stand out for their commitment to citing high-quality evidence (e.g., RCTs, meta-analyses, cohort studies) and avoiding hype or unsubstantiated claims. Start with NutritionFacts.org or Vegan Health for nutrient specifics, or the Center for Nutrition Studies for foundational “why” behind WFPB.