Kristi Whitley

Healthy Living

Kristi Whitley

Plant-based Nutrition Coach

I'm married to my husband Rodney since 1987. We live in South Carolina mostly. ​I graduated with a Masters Degree in Horticulture from Louisiana State University in 2004. Prior to that, I sold pharmaceuticals for fifteen years. I consider those years "the dark years". After graduate school, I worked for NeuroMedical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as Research Associate to ten neurosurgeons. Grad school and NeuroMed were the happiest time of my life until 2007 when I moved to South Carolina. 

My Carolina friends introduced me to whole-foods, plant-based eating. I was slow to adapt but after reading "The China Study" and "Eat to Live" I fortuitously became lactose intolerant and removed dairy from my diet completely. It was not a new condition, I just didn't realize I had it until I read those books. I continued reading. "Food Revolution" by John Robbins was an eye-opener too. By the end of 2008, I was 80% vegan. In 2009, I used Weight Watchers to lose 30 pounds while incorporating vegan practices. 

In late 2009, my friend of 30 years was diagnosed with stage 3b breast cancer. She had triple-negative cancer that had spread outside her lymph nodes. She decided to fight it with nutrition. I got serious with mine and gave up soy, wheat, sugar, and processed foods along with all animal products. I started juicing with her and added all the supplements her doctor recommended. Although she lost her battle in 2010, I have continued my plant-based lifestyle with conviction. 

My background in pharmaceuticals, horticulture, and research lend themselves to my profession as a nutrition researcher and plant-based nutrition lifestyle coach. I lecture to groups and consult with individuals on the benefits of plant-based diets, the use of supplements for healing and maintaining health, and all the tricks and short-cuts to eating the healthiest food on the planet. 

Fortunately, I am healthier now than ever before in my life. I have gone from 165 pounds to 130 pounds. I am fit, active, and happy. I suffered with nasal allergies for forty years and they are gone now. I thought that they would be a way of life for me until the day I died. I used to take antihistamines EVERY day and suffered at least two sinus infections per year.  

I praise Almighty God, our Marvelous Creator for opening my eyes to His plan for our diets. He has designed the plant world to heal and protect our heath perfectly. We, unfortunately, have abused plants by frying them, adding chemicals, and smothering them with cheese. Until He returns, I will do my best to eat what He has graciously given me and teach others to do the same. 

All the best,

Kristi