Raising GenV

In this powerful episode, Naomi Hallum sits down with Dominick Thompson, a vegan advocate, author of Eat What Elephants Eat, and founder of a vegan nutrition program by the same name. Dom shares his transformative journey from prison to becoming a compassionate vegan athlete, entrepreneur, and "fur parent."

They discuss everything from the emotional connection between humans and animals to breaking stereotypes around masculinity and veganism. Dom’s message is rooted in compassion—for animals, the environment, and marginalized communities impacted by factory farming.

Naomi and Dom leave listeners with an empowering message: It’s never too late to align your actions with your values. Whether it’s embracing compassion for animals, protecting the environment, or improving your health, every choice matters.

Dom’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, compassion, and hope.

Key Takeaways

The Power of Compassion:

• Dom shares how his dog, Scruff McFly, helped him rediscover his heart after prison. Their bond taught him vulnerability and patience.
• Losing Scruff was heartbreaking, but the experience allowed Dom to open his heart again and practice compassion in all areas of life.

From Prison to Veganism:

• Dom recalls a defining moment in prison when he connected meat to the animals he loved as a child. This realization inspired his mantra: “If it requires harm, I don’t want anything to do with it.”

Protein Myths and Vegan Fitness:

• Dom debunks the myth of protein deficiency in plant-based diets, sharing how his strength and health improved after transitioning to veganism. In prison, he even excelled in weightlifting competitions.
• Naomi and Dom discuss how the food industry hides the reality of meat production to make it more palatable, disconnecting consumers from the truth.

“Eat What Elephants Eat”:

• Dom started a viral campaign with his slogan “Eat What Elephants Eat” to highlight that some of the strongest animals are herbivores. This grew into a successful nutrition program and book designed to make veganism accessible and affordable.

Redefining Masculinity:

• As one of the first men of color to promote veganism, Dom advocates for redefining masculinity to include compassion and empathy. He emphasizes that being vegan doesn’t make you less masculine—it can make you stronger and more protective of others.

Environmental Racism and Consumer Choices:

• Dom highlights how factory farming harms marginalized communities, from polluting neighborhoods to exploiting undocumented workers in dangerous conditions. He urges consumers to consider the broader impact of their food choices.

It’s Never Too Late to Change:

• Dom shares his journey as an ex-felon who rebuilt his life and encourages listeners to believe in their potential, no matter their past. “Never judge a book by its cover,” he says.
• Naomi reminds listeners to have compassion for themselves during the transition to veganism, emphasizing that even small steps can make a big difference.

Resources Mentioned

• Eat What Elephants Eat by Dominick Thompson: Simon & Schuster
• Eat What Elephants Eat Nutrition Program: Website

Time-Stamps & Key Topics

• [00:00] Dom’s introduction: Fur parent to Scruff McFly and his transformative journey.
• [05:50] Grieving a beloved pet and opening up his heart to vulnerability.
• [08:10] Misconceptions about fur parents and the expectations placed on dogs.
• [10:50] Dom’s vegan transformation in prison and his mantra: “If it requires harm, I don’t want anything to do with it.”
• [19:10] Debunking protein deficiency and Dom’s health transformation.
• [20:25] Making the connection between meat and animals.
• [24:16] The origins of the viral “Eat What Elephants Eat” campaign.
• [30:40] Redefining masculinity with veganism.
• [35:40] Environmental racism and the impact of factory farming on marginalized communities.
• [40:00] Dom’s cookbook: A nostalgic and accessible guide to veganism.
• [45:00] It’s never too late to make changes in your life.
• [47:35] Dom on being a clean, vegan athlete.
• [48:34] Addressing the carnivore diet: “Not eating death energy.”

In this insightful episode, Naomi Hallum speaks with Dr. Angie Sadeghi, a gastroenterologist and mother to a teenage son, about raising plant-based children, gut health, and the challenges of parenting. Dr. Sadeghi shares her journey from being a sick child to becoming a physician focused on prevention and nutrition. The conversation explores empowering children to make their own dietary choices, the role of fiber in gut health, and tackling misinformation about plant-based diets.

Dr. Sadeghi emphasizes the importance of educating children about nutrition and ethics, setting them up for a lifetime of good health and compassion.

Key Takeaways

Empowering Teenagers:

• Dr. Sadeghi discusses letting teenagers make their own choices while providing guidance and support. “It’s important to let them experience trial and error,” she says, as parents aren’t always right.
• Naomi shares how her mother apologized for making her eat meat, realizing later that her beliefs were based on misinformation.

The Role of Curiosity in Dietary Choices:

• Dr. Sadeghi recounts how her son, at age 3, questioned where chicken nuggets came from and developed an aversion to eating animals. This curiosity led him to stop eating meat entirely.

Nutrition and Gut Health:

• Foods to Avoid: Saturated fats from animal products can harm gut health by causing inflammation and conditions like leaky gut.
• Foods to Embrace: Fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are essential for gut health, supporting beneficial bacteria and reducing inflammation.
• Vegan diets need to focus on whole, plant-based foods rather than processed alternatives.

Challenges in Medicine and Nutrition Education:

• Dr. Sadeghi points out that medical school focuses more on treating diseases than preventing them. Nutrition is barely covered, leaving doctors without adequate tools to educate patients.
• As a physician, she feels a responsibility to share accurate information about the harms of meat and dairy and the benefits of a plant-based diet.

Parenting with Different Beliefs:

• Dr. Sadeghi opens up about raising a vegan child while co-parenting with someone who does not share her dietary beliefs. She emphasizes teaching children science and values while allowing them to find their own path.

Veganism and Ethics:

• A whole-food, plant-based diet is one of the best gifts parents can give their children. It fosters better health, prevents disease, and aligns with compassionate living.

Resources Mentioned

• Dr. Angie Sadeghi: Institute of Plant-Based Medicine

Time-Stamps & Key Topics

• [00:14] Dr. Sadeghi’s introduction and insights on raising a teenager.
• [03:25] Parenting lessons: “We’re learning from our kids, too.”
• [06:44] Her son’s journey to rejecting meat after asking about chicken nuggets.
• [09:15] Dr. Sadeghi’s childhood health struggles and desire to understand the root cause.
• [14:35] Transitioning to a plant-based diet and discovering its benefits.
• [18:05] Why plant-based nutrition isn’t taught in medical school.
• [22:05] The slow pace of change in medicine and nutrition.
• [25:30] Gut health and its connection to diet.
• [33:00] Foods that harm and heal the gut.
• [39:07] Gut health begins in childhood.
• [45:50] How doctors can be more impactful by focusing on prevention and education.
• [50:37] Dr. Sadeghi’s vegan journey and navigating co-parenting with differing beliefs.
• [55:36] Teaching kids to make healthier choices by leading by example.
• [59:21] Why whole-food, plant-based diets are the best gift for children.
• [1:03:00] Dr. Sadeghi’s most memorable parenting challenge.

Welcome to the debut episode of Raising GenV! Host Naomi Hallum chats with Dr. Reshma Shah, pediatrician and author, about raising plant-based families. They explore Dr. Shah’s journey, empowering children in their food choices, tackling fussy eating, and ensuring proper nutrition with plant-based formulas, milk alternatives, and key nutrients. Dr. Shah highlights compassion, conversation, and community as essential tools for a successful transition to plant-based living.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Shah’s Plant-Based Journey:
  Dr. Shah shares her story of growing up vegetarian, briefly eating meat, and transitioning to veganism. Her family’s Jainism-inspired values of non-violence influenced her upbringing and shaped her approach to nutrition. She gradually transitioned her own children to a vegetarian diet, respecting their autonomy and allowing them to make their own choices.
• Empowering Children:
  Naomi and Dr. Shah discuss the importance of giving children autonomy over their food choices. By providing nutritional and ethical information, parents can encourage thoughtful decision-making without forcing their beliefs. “I like to reframe it as an invitation instead of saying, ‘You must do this,’” says Dr. Shah.
• Nutrition and Safety for Plant-Based Kids:
  • Infants: Dr. Shah explains that FDA-approved plant-based formulas can be a safe and healthy option for babies. She cautions against homemade formulas and stresses that parents should consult their pediatricians.
  • Toddlers and Older Kids: Soy milk and pea protein milk are preferred options due to their protein and calorie content. Breastfed infants should receive vitamin D supplements, and B12 supplements are recommended for all plant-based children.
  • Protein and Fiber: Vegan and vegetarian kids generally get enough protein but should include intentional protein sources like tofu, tempeh, peanut butter, and beans. Fiber intake is also typically higher in plant-based diets.
  • Addressing Picky Eating and Food Preferences:
    • Neophobia, or fear of new foods, is a normal part of childhood development. Dr. Shah advises reducing pressure around meals and modeling healthy eating behaviors.
    • Care but don’t cater: Dr. Shah’s approach involves letting her kids express meal preferences but sticking to one family meal. Involving kids in meal planning and preparation can also foster enthusiasm for healthy eating.
  • Transitioning Your Family:
    Dr. Shah emphasizes the importance of building a supportive community and taking small, manageable steps. “Have fun along the way! It’s supposed to be a diet of abundance,” she says. Her book serves as a practical guide for families making the shift.
  • Veganism and Compassion:
    When discussing the ethics of plant-based eating with children, Dr. Shah advises letting their curiosity guide the conversation. “Veganism is rooted in compassion, so we want to have compassion in our conversations.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Reshma Shah’s Book: “Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families”
• Study on Children and Food Exposure: Repeated Exposure and Food Acceptance in Young Children - USDA NESR Systematic Review

Time-Stamps & Key Topics

• [00:30] Dr. Shah’s journey to a plant-based diet.
• [05:27] Transitioning her children to vegetarianism and veganism.
• [08:29] Respecting children’s dietary autonomy when transitioning them to plant-based eating.
• [11:01] Empowering kids with information: why curiosity matters and Naomi’s childhood story of connecting animals to meat.
• [14:57] Is it safe to give your child a 100% plant-based diet under 2 years old? Insights from a pediatrician’s perspective.
• [19:38] Nutritional considerations for kids on a plant-based diet.
• [21:50] Is plant-based formula safe?
• [26:13] The best plant-based milks for kids.
• [29:35] Supplements for kids after birth: what to consider.
• [31:36] Tips for handling picky eating and encouraging kids to try new foods.
• [48:01] Exploring kids’ natural curiosity about veganism.
• [49:12] How honest should parents be about where meat and dairy come from?
• [52:31] First steps for transitioning your family to a plant-based diet.

[54:54] About Dr. Shah’s book:

“Nourish: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families”