Plant-based eating doesn’t have to be all or nothing: Cooking demo recap
- Rebecca Stonor, CEO
- 16 Apr 2025
Making the shift to plant-based eating doesn’t have to be perfect – it just has to begin.
At Doctors For Nutrition, we know how powerful a whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet can be for long-term health. But we also know that for many people, making the switch can feel like too big a jump, especially when they’re cooking for others or are used to more familiar flavours.
That’s why our most recent plant-based cooking demo looked a little different.
Transition-friendly recipes, without the compromise
Inspired by our new course, Make the Switch, we focused this cooking demonstration on easy, plant-based comfort food recipes that offer a more familiar texture and taste – ideal for those just starting out, or trying to get family members on board. These recipes are still oil-free and packed with goodness, but they are designed to feel like a natural step from a typical Western diet.
What we cooked:
- Make the Switch Lasagne – a hearty, easy, satisfying dinner the whole family can enjoy
- Decadent Chocolate Mousse – a rich, fibre-filled, smooth and entirely plant-based dessert
While this demonstration featured Western-style comfort food, we’ve also responded to feedback requesting more global, culturally diverse plant-based options. Inside our course, we share helpful resources for those seeking non-Western recipes and flavours – because healthy eating should feel relevant and accessible, no matter your cultural background.
Accredited Practising Dietitian Nina Trinquet, one of the experts featured in the course, also joined us for a live Q&A.
Why we’re focusing more on ‘meeting people where they are’
Over time, we’ve received thoughtful feedback from health professionals: while many patients stand to benefit from a whole food plant-based diet, not all are ready to commit to the full transition straight away. Some are simply overwhelmed. Others cook for households that aren’t quite on the same page yet.
We created Make the Switch to respond to that very challenge.
The course is a supportive, flexible starting point for anyone curious about eating more plant-based food without needing to do it all at once. Its focus on real-world meals, batch cooking tips, and habit-building strategies helps people build momentum in a way that works for them.
We also walk participants through how to adapt their favourite meals – whether that means simply veganising a dish, moving it towards a more plant-based version, or taking it all the way to WFPB. No judgment. Just tools and guidance to help them find what works for their lifestyle, right now.
We recognise that many people may choose to include plant-based meat and dairy alternatives along the way. Instead of taking an all-or-nothing stance, we guide participants in how to read labels and compare products, so they can make informed choices that better support their health during the transition.
And the best part? You don’t need to do everything at once to experience benefits. Even small, gradual changes can lead to meaningful improvements in health. That’s the dose-dependent magic of whole plant foods – the more you add, the more your body thanks you.
For our WFPB readers: This might help someone you love
Already eating whole food plant-based yourself? This course was made with your family and friends in mind. We hear from many people who want to help a loved one dip a toe into this way of eating, but aren’t sure how to start those conversations or what to cook that will actually be enjoyed.
Make the Switch is designed to support that journey, with support to reshape familiar favourites into dishes even the sceptics will enjoy, and structured guidance that doesn’t overwhelm.
Tip: You don’t need to be a DFN member to gift someone a membership, which provides access to Make the Switch at 50% off the course price.
It’s a practical way to help a loved one get started on their own terms, and with support.
