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lunch box brownies

Interview with Vegan Registered Dietician: Pamela Fergusson + Tahini Brownies

March 21, 2019 By julia

Pamela Fergusson a Vegan Registered Dietician with a PhD in nutrition, and a Mama of 4!
In her 15 years of experience in changing lives through better nutrition, she’s worked as a lecturer in nutrition at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Ryerson University.
Let’s just say, her experience with plant-based nutrition is vast!!
Her blog and instagram ( @drpamela_rd ) are both incredibly informative, making the plant-based lifestyle approachable, fun and delicious.
Her instastories are always a go-to where she backs her facts with stats and studies, and simplifies delicious and nutritious vegan meals. She recently moved out of the city and into the mountains, and now bases her private practice out of Nelson BC.
Well, I put it out to all of you over on my @hookedonplants Instastories:
What do you want me to ask a vegan dietician!?
Here are some questions you wanted answers to (some of these questions have been answered in other areas of my instagram and blog, but I’m excited to hear it in the words of the amazing Pamela!):
You asked:
What is the best way to get Calcium and Vitamin D without dairy?
Pamela answered:
Calcium can be found in a wide variety of plant foods, including tahini, apricots, kale and tofu. One of the best ways to get it, though, is by drinking a fortified plant-based milk. In Canada, those will also be fortified with vitamin D2. Vitamin D3 is better absorbed, but you will need to get that through a supplement. The best source of vitamin D is the sun! You’ll need 20 mins of spring/summer or autumn exposure with no sunscreen.
You asked:
Should I limit fruit sugar? 
Pamela answered:
Fructose is the sugar in fruit and it is metabolized in the liver. Please don’t limit your intake of fruit. The sugar in fruit is just one of the nutrients found in nature’s candy.  You will also be getting fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. You should, however, limit your intake of high fructose corn syrup. That stuff is stripped of any additional helpful nutrients and increases your risk of chronic disease.
 
You asked:
What is your view on the animal-based Keto diet and the vegan Keto diet?
Pamela answered:
I’m very cautious about the keto diet in general. I think the research is still very new and unfortunately so many people are attracted to the ‘dirty keto’ involving meals like steak slathered in butter. My advice, if you are trying keto, is make sure your fibre intake is still high.
 
You asked:
What plant milk is the best to give babies?
Pamela answered:
When introducing a milk to children’s diets, the recommendation in Canada for families wishing to avoid dairy is to continue with soy-based formula until your children are two years of age.  Remember that continuing to breastfeed, along with complementary solid foods is a wonderful source of nutrition for your baby, to two years of age and beyond.
Some parents don’t want to offer formula to their babies, and would prefer to offer a milk. At the moment, fortified soy milk is the only milk that offers the calcium, vitamin D and the protein that your baby will benefit from. You can look to other sources for healthy fats. One tip is to blend hemp hearts into your store-bought soy milk to bump up the nutrition, including protein, and healthy fats including omega-3s.
 
You asked:
What can be done to help reduce and bloating throughout the day on a vegan diet?
Pamela answered:
Keeping your portions small is a good idea. Try a gentle approach to intermittent fasting of 12 hours of eating window and then 12 hours of fasting. If that works well, you might want to extend your daily fast slightly to 14 or even 16 hours. Increase your fibre intake slowly.
You asked:
I went vegan for a few months, but felt really tired. What was I doing wrong?
Pamela answered:
It’s unusual for a dietary change to affect you so quickly. This points to the idea that you might not have been eating enough calories. Plant foods are mostly lower in calorie density than animal foods are, and you may need to increase portions of frequency of meals when you go vegan. Longer term, fatigue may be a sign of iron or B12 deficiency, but that takes a long time to develop. You can always ask your doctor to check your blood work if you have any concerns. I recommend annual bloodwork to my clients if possible.
 
You asked:
Why do vegans need to supplement B12?
Pamela answered:
B12 is derived from bacteria. So, although meat is a source of B12, cows and pigs don’t produce it themselves, they simply store it in their tissues. Also, many farmers supplement their animal’s diets with B12. There is no B12 in plants, so we need to get it from supplements or fortified foods.
 
You asked:
What other supplements do you recommend everyone takes on a vegan diet?
Pamela answered:
B12, Vitamin D in the winter and possibly a vegan omega 3 (DHA/EPA).
*Side note: Complement has all three in one. Head here and use the code ‘hookedonplants’ for 10% off at the check out.*

Enough talk, it’s time for Pamela’s brownies

 

Pamela Fergusson's Fudgey Tahini Brownies
 
Save Print
Prep time
20 mins
Cook time
30 mins
Total time
50 mins
 
Super dense brownies with benefits! Perfect for the lunch box.
Author: Jules
Recipe type: dessert, snack
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 1 cup white sugar (can sub ½ coconut sugar. Batter will be extra dense and a bit fudge-y)
  • ½ cup brown or coconut sugar
  • 1¾ cup flour can use 50/50 white/whole wheat
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 2 flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax and 3 tbsp water or aquafaba per 'egg')
  • ¼ cup apple sauce
  • ½ cup tahini
  • ¾ cup plant based milk
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
  • 2 tsp vanila
  • 1 cup boiling hot coffee
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Mix flax eggs and set aside to gel while you prepare the other ingredients
  3. Add lemon juice or vinegar to your plant-based milk. Set aside for 10 mins to sour. This will improve the flavour of the brownies (like vegan buttermilk!)
  4. Mix your dry ingredients in a bowl so they are evenly distributed.
  5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry (don't forget the flax eggs), EXCEPT for the coffee, save that til last. Hand mix gently with a spoon until well combined, but don't over-mix.
  6. Pour in the coffee and mix gently. Batter will be wet. Don't worry!
  7. Grease a 9X13 in baking pan or line it with baking paper.
  8. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake at 350F for 30 mins, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then turn onto a wire rack to complete cooling.
  9. Enjoy warm! With vegan ice cream. Life is delicious.
Notes
Top with vegan chocolate chips or coconut chips!
3.5.3226

 

Tag @hookedonplants and @drpamela_rd if you make this! We love seeing your creations.

For more inspiration and info on eating plant-based, sign up to my emails for bi-weekly inspiration, recipes, plus a free PDF on How to Get Hooked On Plants!

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Filed Under: Dessert, Hooked On People Interviews, Oil Free, Recipes, Salt Free, Snacks, Uncategorized Tagged With: brownies, dietician interview, easy vegan dessert, fudgey brownies, hooked on people, lunch box brownies, nutrition interview, pamela fergusson, tahini brownies, vegan brownies, vegan dietician, vegan RD, vegan snack

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Hi, I'm Julia! I like to simplify plant-based eating and make yummy recipes. I'm a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, certified plant-based chef, Olympian, and I make cereal (Jules Fuel). Enjoy! Read more

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🌱 In the smoothie? @complement protein & greens, kale, cauli, berries, carrots, ginger, turmeric, apple, bananas, @staywyldorganics mushroom pow.

PS: Use ‘hookedonplants’ for a discount on mushrooms, mask, protein & greens.
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Peanut Yam Stew created by my 6-year plant-based mama. 

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@zakxtez are quite obsessed with @virchewdogs 🌱 food. 

Zak’s just a bit cooler about it.
Tez has no filter. 😜

Zak’s thrived as a vegan dog for 5 yesrs now…and Tez? 
She’s energized to the moon on the plant protocol over the last 6 months 🎉 

#vegandog #rescuedogs #veganfood
Drop in the comments: a place you go that makes yo Drop in the comments: a place you go that makes you feel FREE. 

Best travel spot? 
Or maybe theres a time & space in your day to day that brings you that feeling?

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Here’s your reminder to make the time to go there.
4 pillars of veganism ⤵️ 1️⃣ Animals 2️ 4 pillars of veganism ⤵️

1️⃣ Animals
2️⃣ Environment 
3️⃣ Health (longevity & disease prevention & microbiome diversity)

and the 4th pillar?

4️⃣ PERFORMANCE: 
Countless athletes use the plant-based diet as their secret sauce for next-level endurance & performance, reduced inflammation, faster recovery, and longer athletic careers 🎉 💪

INSPO:

Have you watched the @gamechangersmovie yet?

A quick list off the top of my head of vegan athletes to follow…
 @nomeatathlete_official @torre.washington @badassvegan @fitveganchef @dr.matthewnagra @simonhill @brendanbrazier @switch4good @patrikbaboumian @lightningwilks @tiablanco @plantbasedathleteorg @richroll @lewishamilton @carl_lewis_official @morganmitch @djokernole @leilanimunter @plantbuilt @highsteph @koyawebb @sexyfitvegan @samshorkey @reallylovevictoria @jules_pro_figure @ktfitnessco @fitvegancoachingcom @nimai_delgado @biancataylorm @cp3 @kyrieirving  @scottjurek @nick.s.schafer @k1ngkyrg1os @smalling @hectorbellerin @simnettnutrition @meatfreemarialee @veganbodybuildingandfitness @veganolympian @veganbodybuilding @naturallystefanie …. The list goes on and on…

📖 Have you read the NYTimes bestseller: 
The Plant Based Athlete? 

If you’re a vegan athlete, would love for you to share the benefits you’ve felt! ⬇️
🌱 SKIN LOVING TIPS ⤵️ From a simple is bet 🌱 SKIN LOVING TIPS ⤵️ 
From a simple is better, 30 somethin’, long routine avoiding kinda gal…who wants to support elastin & boost collagen 🤷‍♀️ 

I’ve had an interesting relationship with my skin, especially in high school. 
Did so much to try to manage it…accutane…birth control pills.👎🏼

The biggest skin game-changer for me was going vegan 7 years ago & ditched the dairy especially. 
My skin was NOTICEABLY less inflamed (no more hormones coming from my food). 

I’m not ‘use a million products’ kinda gal, but now at 34, I guess it’s time to start giving a little extra attention to the skin care regime 😆 

🌱 Lifestyle tips + products I’m loving right meow 🌱

#1: nutrition: eat whole plant foods packed with fibre & water content. Minimize the processed foods & sugar. Focus on plant protein from legumes, organic soy, seeds (add a little @Complement Chocolate Protein to your lattes)

#2: support your gut: focus on 🌱 diversity, fermented foods, and add pre-biotics and postbiotics to your life (love @Complement Gut Nurture)

#3: greens: pack your smoothie with as much as possible, top everything with sprouts, add a greens powder to your life (most potent: @complement Daily Greens)

#4: antioxidants! From plants, especially berries. Amp it up with functional mushrooms (hello, @staywyldorganics)

#5: nutrient support: take these 8 skin & hair-supporting essentials (B12, vegan D3, K2, zinc, selenium, magnesium, DHA/EPA omegas, iodine…all in @complement’s daily vegan minty multi) 

#6: creams & things:
I’m a new, huge fan of @puritywoodsinc Dream, Eye,Night Creams, and Elastin Serum. 
Created by vegans at the @art_ofantiaging. 
They use Maple Leaf and other amazing organic plant organic ingredients specifically for skin elasticity and collagen production support. 
And, oh my lawwwrd it smells so fresh & citrusy 👌 My skin is feeling noticeably smoother after a month of this!
Also: algae face mask… slap the ocean on the face with @beauty.botanics made by local, Ahnnabelle 💕

#7: stress less & sweat more: every day

❥❥❥ Discounts ❥❥❥
Links in bio
Code ‘hookedonplants’:
Creams, mask, essentials and mushrooms.

Tell me your skin regime! 
Tips cont. in comments …
3 steps to evolving as a human ⬇️ 1) Listen f 3 steps to evolving as a human ⬇️

1) Listen for that voice inside your head…
2) When it says ‘I don’t think I can do that’ or
‘That freaks me out’ or
‘I’m not (strong/smart/confident) enough to make that happen’ …
That’s your sign to move closer, to jump right in & embrace whatever it is that’s scaring you.
3) Do the thing

Surprise yourself with what you’re actually capable of. 

This is just one of many slices of golden quotes from an interview with my incredible Grandma, Joyce. 

‘Constant learning about one self, constant. 
If only I had only known I could do that, if only I had the confidence, I might have made a few difference choices … we really don’t know until it happens. 
You can surprise yourself. 
You can find abilities you didn’t know you had.‘

Joyce 💕 what a gem. 

Working towards this every day, just a little. 

Maybe you are too? 

What’s the last thing you did that pushed you out of your comfort zone?
Back to School Sneaky Greens Adventure Ballz: 

I’ve relied on these ballz for festivals, 5+ hour mountain bike rides, weekend camping trips, to bash afternoon cravings…and they’d be PERFECT for that back to school lunch box. 

 
🌱These babies are packed with nutrients + they keep their shape and travel like heroes!

Makes: 30 balls

INGREDIENTS:
* 20 medjool dates 
* 1/2 cup oats
* 1/4 cup hemp seeds
* 1/4 cup sneaky greens! (@Complement Daily Greens Powder: broccoli sprouts, moringa, spinach, barley grass and chlorella)
* 1/3 cup Chocolate Protein Powder (@Complement makes the cleanest!) 
* 1/8 cup @staywyldorganics Mushroom powder (5 functional mushrooms)
* 1 tsp vanilla 
* 1/2 cup shredded coconut

→ Complement & Stay Wyld discount: use ‘Hookedonplants’) 
 Links in bio! 
DIRECTIONS:
1. Process oats to a flour in food processor, then blend in your superfood powders (greens, mushrooms, protein).
2. Add dates and vanilla to the dry mix and pulse/blend for 20 seconds, until a large ball forms
3. Spread coconut shreds on a plate
4. Shape date mixture into small balls with wet hands and drop them onto the plate (a few at a time). Shake the plate so the balls get coated with coconut shreds.
5. Once the balls are all shaped and coated, store them in the fridge  or freezer, and they’re ready to pack + go.

TIP: If they’re not staying together just add 1-2 tsp of water to the mix and shape again.

#vegansnack #backtoschoolsnack #backtoschool #healthysnack
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