121: Plant Based Simplicity and Building a Healthier Relationship With Food with Healthy Emmie

In this episode of Keeping Abreast, Dr. Jenn Simmons is joined by Emmie Keefe, also known as Healthy Emmie, a guiding voice in plant based nutrition. Together, they explore what it truly means to build a healthy relationship with food and why simplicity matters more than perfection.Emmie shares her personal journey into plant focused eating, how it transformed the health of her entire family, and why food addiction is one of the biggest unspoken challenges many people face. Dr. Jenn and Emmie break down the fears, resistance, and emotional attachments that keep people stuck, and why three weeks can be enough to create real, sustainable change.They also dive into intuitive eating, the pitfalls of calorie and macro counting, how to build a nourishing plate, and why weight training is essential for women at every age. This conversation empowers listeners to rethink their daily choices, understand the role of emotional and spiritual healing, and embrace the truth that health happens at home long before the doctor's office.In This Episode, You Will Learn: • Why everyone benefits from eating more plants • How food addiction shows up and why it is so hard to break • Why the brain can adapt quickly to new eating habits • How simplicity supports long term health • Why half your plate should be vegetables • How fear of losing comfort blocks change • Why three weeks can reset habits • The difference between weight loss and real disease prevention • Why intuitive eating reduces stress • How to build a nourishing plate with balance • Why weight training is critical for women • Why age should never stop you from lifting weights • How to simplify meal prep when overwhelmed • Why fasting is not right for everyone • How eating order impacts blood sugar • Why knowledge is empowerment • Why health is built daily in your homeEpisode Timeline Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to plant based nutrition and behavioral change 07:15 Emmie's journey into plant focused eating 17:06 Food addiction and convenience challenges 24:42 Resistance, comfort, and why change feels hard 32:30 Weight loss vs disease prevention 34:44 Intuitive eating vs counting macros 37:03 Building a simple, nourishing plate 40:12 The role of weight training for women 44:29 Knowledge, confidence, and empowerment 50:01 Simplifying healthy eating for real life 56:22 Fasting and metabolic considerations 01:02:55 Eating order and blood sugar controlWhere to find Healthy Emmie:Social: @healthyemmieTo talk to a member of Dr. Jenn's team and learn more about working privately with Dr. Jenn visit: https://calendly.com/stephanie-1031/clarity-callTo get your copy of Dr. Jenn's book, The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer, visit: https://tinyurl.com/SmartWomansBreastCancerGuideTo purchase the auria breast cancer screening test go here https://auria.care/ and use the code DRJENN20 for 20% Off.Connect with Dr. Jenn:Website: https://www.jennsimmonsmd.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJennSimmonsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennsimmons/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.jennsimmons