Maren Gillette teaches people to transform their health using a plant-based diet
Maren Gillette is a passionate advocate for eating a plant-based diet to improve health, protect the planet and as a statement against the widely recognized harm to animals associated with industrialized meat production.
Maren (pronounced Mah-ren), helps organize a plant-based potluck that draws folks in the community together to taste a variety of plant-based concoctions. She also has a health coaching business called Plantify My Plate as she works with individuals and couples to explore eating habits different from the traditional American fare that’s filled with ultra processed foods and added sugars that are driving the obesity and diabetes crisis in our country.
Maren grew up in the Seattle area and remembers her parents feeding her the standard American diet. Ten years ago, as a 16-year-old high school student, she watched a documentary on industrial agriculture and decided on the spot to switch to a vegetarian diet, a choice her parents have supported. She later adopted a fully plant-based vegan diet.
I reached out to Maren recently after a recent health event sent me to the emergency room.
The lab results showed extremely elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol and other signs that I am pre-diabetic. I gratefully accepted medications to help reduce my health risks but also decided to do whatever I could to manage my health with diet and exercise and paying close attention to my blood sugar.
I’m not alone in this situation. An estimated 40 million Americans have diabetes and another 115 million people are pre-diabetic – about 40 percent of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This is an out-of-control epidemic in this country that is driving up health care costs, killing people or negatively impacting their ability to lead productive and healthy lives. Although genetics has something to do with whether a person is at risk or not, the American diet that is full of ultra processed foods is a significant contributing factor.
To address my own health issues, I ordered a continuous glucose monitor and enlisted Maren to help me rethink what I’m consuming. The first thing I did was eliminate foods that are ultra processed and have added sugars. I also eliminate alcohol.
Maren, who has a degree in psychology from Whitworth, moved to Wenatchee four years ago with her boyfriend and has been building a nutritional consulting business from the ground up.
“It’s not just telling people what to eat, but helping them understand why they are attracted to certain foods,” Maren told me.
She has certifications in plant-based nutrition, plant-based coaching as well as being a vegan lifestyle coach and educator. She knows her stuff. She said the standard American diet with high consumption of animal-based foods is fueling chronic diseases and other health issues.
“If you’re struggling with chronic health diseases that we’re seeing nowadays, what’s the harm in trying something different and seeing what happens,” Maren told me. She says the notion that plant-based eaters struggle to get enough protein is just a myth. “I love pointing out that a lot of plant based athletes, including body builders, are thriving on a plant-based diet,” she said. Some of the strongest beasts on earth have a plant-based diet, she pointed out.
At the heart of Maren’s work is the empowering knowledge that individuals can, despite their genetics, improve their diet and live healthier lives.
Treating chronic health conditions with drugs is the default approach in our current healthcare system but Maren believes we should be empowered with education to care for ourselves through alternative methods.
Maren introduced me to an app called Yuka that allows me to scan items in the store and rate them based on a variety of health factors. I was shocked how many things that seemed healthy were filled with added sugars or were otherwise unhealthy.
Maren Gillette has a one-night class coming up, Plant-Based Made Simple, on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5 p.m. at 109 Yakima St. that will include a cooking demonstration.
I’m not totally vegetarian or vegan at this point, and what I appreciate about Maren is that she’s not a purist. She meets you where you are. Her work has been a real game-changer for my health and well-being. Taking charge of your health is one of the smartest things you can do.
“The benefits of a whole-food, plant-based diet aren’t just based on personal experience. There is a substantial body of research supporting plant-forward eating as one of the healthiest dietary patterns,” said Maren.
You can learn more about Maren at Plant-Based Health Coach in Wenatchee | Maren Gillette. Here’s a link to her next class: Plant-Based Made Simple. Here’s an Instagram page where she posts recipes: https://www.instagram.com/plantifymyplate/
Taking charge of our health is one of the smartest things we can do.
