Plant-based Nutrition, MS

By the end of the program, the graduate should be able to:

• Demonstrate the science of nutrients essential to analyze the role of plant foods in supporting and optimizing human health and longevity
• Employ research skills to interpret data on nutrition and apply it to health promotion and intake requirements across the life cycle
• Develop evidence-based food guidance for plant-centered eating for optimal health and prevent disease
• Evaluate the impact of plant-based diets on planetary health, ecology, and the environment
• Communicate nutrition concepts effectively to individuals and populations
• Educational Effectiveness Indicators

Comprehensive examination

• Research paper or Final written report
• Oral presentation of research paper or final written report

The MS Nutrition program requires that students complete a culminating research activity (NUTR 694- Research) carried out under the supervision of the program faculty. The deliverable will be either a publishable peer-reviewed manuscript, or a written project report. Students will also present their work in an oral presentation to their program faculty.

Pioneers and leaders in vegetarian nutrition research at LLUH. Our researchers have contributed to growing the science in this field from the early days of establishing the adequacy of vegetarian diets to ongoing research on the role of plant-based diets, plant foods, and plant nutrients for health promotion and disease prevention, to more recently growing the research in the area of sustainability and planetary health.

Currently, the faculty in the nutrition program at LLUSPH are recognized as leaders in scientific inquiry and research related to vegetarian and plant-based nutrition.

• This stems from a 35-year history of organizing the quinquennial International Congress of Vegetarian Nutrition and publishing the Congress proceedings, as well as chairing and participating in numerous symposia on the benefits of plant foods in national conferences. Read the 7th ICVN published proceedings.
• Nutrition faculty and students have been involved in research and publishing related to the Adventist Health Studies 
• Nutrition faculty have conducted several funded clinical trials on plant-rich diets and publishing the work in peer-reviewed journals. Check out some of our most recent and high-profile studies:
  • HAT Study - Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial 
  • MAC Study - Macadamia Nut Effects on Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Risk
  • Soy Study 
  • Walnuts and Healthy Aging Study
• Recent work spearheaded by Dr. Joan Sabaté on the sustainability and environmental benefits of plant-based diets has generated considerable interest in the topic in the wider community. Learn more about Environmental Nutrition and Sustainable Diets.
• Relevant textbooks edited by Dr. Joan Sabaté in the field of plant-based nutrition:
  • Vegetarian Nutrition - published March 2001
  • Environmental Nutrition - published July 2019
• PhD program with an emphasis in Plant-based Nutrition launched in 2018. Take a look at our PhD in Nutrition degree program.

Individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree in science, or registered dietitians, physicians and other health professionals who desire to apply evidenced base for plant-based diets in their practice, those who want to pursue a PhD in nutrition, working professionals that need a graduate degree in nutrition that is online, health educators who want to communicate the health benefits of plant-based eating for health promotion, students motivated to promote sustainable diets, and those interested in lifestyle nutrition.