Ep 27: She tried taking control of her autoimmune disease (results) | Karen Lee

In this conversation, I speak with Karen Lee, a retired intensive care nurse and award-winning plant-based nutritionist who has a passion for amazingly tasty food that’s also great for health. After a diagnosis of MS in 2016, she uses diet and lifestyle to manage her condition and shares this knowledge with others through her website – The Sensitive Foodie Kitchen – as well as workshops, talks, online classes, and one-to-one sessions.She published her first book, Eat Well Live Well with The Sensitive Foodie, in 2019. Her second book, Healing From The Inside Out, was published in January 2026 and explores the benefits of a whole-food plant-based diet for autoimmune disease. Karen is a Health Coach, a facilitator for the charity Overcoming MS that provides an accessible lifestyle medicine program that supports people with MS, and a Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine Educator for Plant Based Health Professionals UK. Most importantly, Karen loves creating and sharing nourishing plant-based recipes that everyone can enjoy.Enjoy listening in.We covered:- Impact of diet on autoimmune diseases like MS- Gut health and microbiome importance- Evidence from long-term studies on saturated fats- Myth-busting around anti-nutrients in plants- Practical steps for adopting a plant-based diet- Her journey from India to becoming the sensitive foodie health coach- Why taking the reins of your health can be the best decision you ever make- The role of evidence-based nutrition and why following the literature is important- Misinformation in the plant-based world and how to use discernmentChapters00:00 Introduction to Plant-Based Living02:07 Karen's Journey to Plant-Based Nutrition04:56 Culinary Experiences in India07:36 Health Challenges and Diagnosis10:28 The Importance of Whole Food Plant-Based Diet13:00 Research Supporting Plant-Based Diets16:09 Gut Health and Inflammation18:42 The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids21:39 The Impact of Processed Foods on Gut Health24:14 Balancing Gut Microbiome for Better Health27:18 The Quest for Health Solutions29:40 The Importance of Time in Healing32:59 Building a Protective Health Framework34:29 Understanding Anti-Nutrients in Plants45:02 Inspiration Behind the Books50:52 Key Health Lessons and ReflectionsYou can learn more about Karen Lee and learn more about her work as a health coach and speaker below:www.thesensitivefoodiekitchen.comwww.instagram.com/the.sensitive.foodie/www.facebook.com/TheSensitiveFoodie/https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-lee-sensitive-foodie/https://www.youtube.com/@TheSensitiveFoodieKitchenIf you're a career-driven parent over 40 who wants to use evidence-based exercise, nutrition, and psychology for your health, the VBL Podcast is your new health and fitness resource.Learn how to create a lean, strong, and healthy body in less time while feeling confident in your health.Every Friday, we share practical tips to build optimal health and strength in minimal time.Get free access to our 9-day body transformation course and newsletter below:https://www.veganfitnessredefined.com/newsletter-1Our online personal training special:https://docs.google.com/document/d/18EOnVkVRg5T4Mt5GB9oapy7g_-mU5KgiygHvC0_Jt3Y/edit?usp=sharingStay connected:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabriel.zhanayInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriel.zhanay/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-zhanay-522153147/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabriel.zhanay