When the UPF label doesn't tell the whole story:plant-based meat alternatives with Ginny Messina, RD

<p>In this episode, we are joined by registered dietitian and public health nutritionist Ginny Messina, MPH, RD, one of the most respected voices in plant-based nutrition.</p><p>We dive into the growing controversy surrounding plant-based meat alternatives and ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Are plant-based burgers and sausages really as unhealthy as some headlines suggest? Does the UPF label tell us everything we need to know about a food&#39;s health effects? And how should we think about plant-based meat within the context of an overall healthy dietary pattern?</p><p>Ginny is the author and co-author of several influential books, including <em>Vegan for Life</em>, and <em>Even Vegans Die</em>. She has spent decades helping people adopt nutritionally adequate plant-based diets grounded in science  In this episode she brings her trademark evidence-based and nuanced perspective to explore:</p><p>• What the science actually says about plant-based meat alternatives<br>• The strengths and limitations of the NOVA classification system<br>• Whether all ultra-processed foods should be viewed equally<br>• The role of plant-based meats in supporting dietary transitions<br>• Nutrient considerations for vegans and vegetarians<br>• How to separate nutrition science from social media sensationalism</p><p><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1641234/full" target="_blank">https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1641234/full</a><br></p><p>To connect with Ginny: </p><p>Website: The Vegan RD<br><a href="https://www.theveganrd.com/" target="_blank">https://www.theveganrd.com</a></p><p>Substack: Resistance Kitchen<br><a href="https://theresistancekitchen.substack.com/" target="_blank">https://theresistancekitchen.substack.com</a></p><p>Books:<br><a href="https://www.theveganrd.com/mybooks/" target="_blank">https://www.theveganrd.com/mybooks/</a></p><p>Vegan Nutrition Resources:<br><a href="https://www.theveganrd.com/vegan-nutrition-101/" target="_blank">https://www.theveganrd.com/vegan-nutrition-101/</a></p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who may be interested in learning more too. If you&#39;d like to support our work and be part of a growing community of like-minded people working towards creating a healthier and more sustainable future please join the Plant-Based Health Professionals UK following the link below:</p><p><a href="https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membership" target="_blank">https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/membership</a></p><p>You don&#39;t have to be a health care professional to join, but by doing so you’re not only supporting our work, you&#39;ll be improving your own health;  with membership starting from as little as £15 a year, join us now and be part of the change you want to see.</p>