Dilip Barman, a passionate advocate for plant-based living, has dedicated his life to transforming the way people view food and nutrition. As president of the Triangle Vegetarian Society, his work has reached thousands, inspiring healthier and more compassionate choices. Beyond his leadership, Dilip is also a Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), where he educates communities on the profound health benefits of plant-based eating. His role as Director of Nutrition Education at Central Park School in North Carolina allows him to shape young minds and integrate plant-based principles into educational systems. With boundless energy and an unshakeable commitment, Dilip’s work continues to reshape lives through the power of plants.

A Journey Rooted in Vegetarianism

Dilip’s journey began with his parents, who were early immigrants from India. Raised in a vegetarian household, Dilip was introduced to meat as a child, but it was always accompanied by the ritual of washing hands and lips after consumption, reflecting his family’s deep-seated cultural beliefs. This early exposure to vegetarianism set the stage for his eventual transition to veganism, driven initially by ethical concerns rather than health reasons.

From Vegetarianism to Veganism: The Ethical Shift

The transition from vegetarianism to veganism was a gradual process for Dilip. During his college years, a moment of reflection in a grocery store led him to give up meat, but it wasn’t until he encountered a vegan Thanksgiving event that he started to seriously consider a fully plant-based diet. The literature and community he encountered there deepened his understanding, eventually leading him to give up dairy, a staple in his family’s diet. His journey highlights the challenges and rewards of aligning one’s ethical beliefs with dietary choices.

Health Benefits: A Personal and Familial Perspective

While Dilip’s initial motivation for going vegan was ethical, he later observed significant health benefits. He shared anecdotes of how eliminating dairy from his diet led to a dramatic reduction in colds and flus, a benefit he has maintained for over 25 years. Furthermore, Dilip reflected on the health issues faced by his family members, many of whom were heavy dairy consumers. These observations reinforced his commitment to a plant-based lifestyle and his advocacy for others to consider the health benefits of such a diet.

Code Blue: Advocating for Plant-Based Medicine

Dilip’s commitment to plant-based living extends beyond personal practice; he has also played a key role in broader advocacy efforts. As the executive producer of the film “Code Blue,” Dilip helped bring to light the potential of a plant-based diet to prevent and reverse chronic diseases. The film follows Dr. Saray Stancic’s journey of overcoming multiple sclerosis through a plant-based diet, emphasizing the transformative power of nutrition in managing and reversing serious health conditions.

Educating the Next Generation: The Healthy Snack Program

In addition to his advocacy work, Dilip has made significant contributions to nutrition education, particularly in schools. Although his role as the Director of Nutrition Education at the Central Park School in Durham, North Carolina, has been dormant since the pandemic, Dilip has successfully implemented the Healthy Snack Program in other schools across the country. This program provides teachers with the tools and resources to offer healthy, plant-based snacks to students, fostering a new generation of informed and healthy eaters.

Making Plant-Based Living Accessible and Enjoyable

One of the most striking aspects of Dilip’s approach to plant-based living is his emphasis on simplicity and accessibility. Despite not having formal culinary training, Dilip has mastered the art of creating delicious and nutritious plant-based meals. His passion for food preparation is evident in his involvement with the “So Many Cooks in the Kitchen” initiative, where he and other Food for Life instructors share easy-to-make, whole-food, plant-based recipes with a global audience.

A Call to Action

Dilip Barman’s story is a powerful testament to the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, both for individual health and for the environment. His journey from a vegetarian upbringing to a dedicated vegan advocate demonstrates the potential for personal transformation through diet. As Dilip continues to educate and inspire others, his message remains clear: adopting a plant-based diet is not only achievable but also a profoundly impactful choice for health and well-being.

Final Thoughts: Moving Forward with Plant-Based Living

Whether you’re already on the path to plant-based living or just beginning to explore it, Dilip encourages everyone to continually improve their dietary choices. For those who haven’t yet embraced a plant-based diet, he offers a gentle reminder that it’s never too late to start. The evidence is clear, and the benefits are numerous. It’s a journey worth embarking on—for your health, for the animals, and for the planet.

Episode Highlights

[00:00]             Introduction

[02:00]             The start of Dilip’s journey began with his parents immigration from India.

[05:45]             Jenny’s Vegan Thanksgiving had a major impact on Dilip.

[09:15]             Why the East Indian diet is unhealthy.

[14:45]             Code Blue underscores the critical role lifestyle choices.

[17:00]             The positive impact of a plant based diet for one doctor on multiple sclerosis. .

[24:30]             The benefit of plant-based eating in the elderly.

[26:00]             So Many Cooks in the Kitchen cooking program is launched because of COVID.

[30:00]             So Many Kids in the Kitchen is an offshoot of the Cooks show.

[32:00]             The launch of Healthy Student programs.

[34:45]             Food insecurity issues are real.

[41:00]             Getting in the kitchen results in better culinary skills.

[45:00]             Dilip takes pride in cooking for his wife for 20 years with no meal repeats.

[51:00]             Commit to playing a healthier game

About Dilip Barman

Dilip Barman has been a prominent figure in the plant-based movement for decades. As President of the Triangle Vegetarian Society in North Carolina, he organizes the country’s largest all-vegan Thanksgiving, a hallmark event that reflects his deep commitment to promoting a plant-based lifestyle. Dilip is a certified Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, where he educates others on the profound impact of nutrition on health through evidence-based research.

Dilip’s influence extends to the media as the Executive Producer of the 2020 film Code Blue, (https://www.codebluedoc.com/) which underscores the critical role lifestyle choices play in health outcomes. He has also designed and conducted 3-day immersion programs focused on healthy cooking and nutrition, empowering participants to make lasting changes in their diets.

Active in the broader plant-based community, Dilip serves on advisory boards including the Plant-Based Network, Rochester Lifestyle Medicine Institute, and Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge. He is a member of the American Vegan Society’s Speaker’s Bureau and represents North America for the International Vegetarian Union. His teaching and speaking engagements have taken him across the globe, where he shares his expertise in plant-based cooking and nutrition.

Dilip is also an accomplished writer, contributing to publications like The Local Reporter, the Plant-Based Network’s member magazine, and Saathee, a regional magazine serving the South Asian community. His blog chronicles his plant-based culinary creations, and he is proud never to have repeated a meal for his wife in over sixteen years. In 2020, Dilip co-founded So Many Cooks in the Kitchen, an online show where plant-based chefs share cooking and nutrition tips, which has since expanded to include a spinoff focused on children.

For inquiries, Dilip can be reached at [email protected]. Learn more about Dilip at https://www.dilip.info/

About Dr. Frank Sabatino

As a recognized authority on the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle, Dr. Frank Sabatino has cared for and inspired thousands of people for over 40 years. Dr. Sabatino has a PhD in cell biology and neuroendocrinology and has done extensive landmark research on calorie restriction, stress, and aging. He currently is on staff at the TrueNorth Health Foundation in Santa Rosa, CA, and serves as the Director of Health Education at the NHA.

Dr. Sabatino’s passion and life’s work include raising awareness about the benefits of whole-food, plant-exclusive nutrition (without added salt, oil, or sugar), health rejuvenation and stress management.

Dr. Sabatino is the author of Weightless: Compassionate Weight Loss for Life, a groundbreaking guide to sustainable weight loss through a compassionate, plant-based lifestyle. Drawing on extensive clinical and personal experience, Dr. Sabatino offers practical strategies to overcome food addiction and avoid fad diets, risky drugs, and surgeries. The book provides meal plans, recipes, and lifestyle tips, emphasizing whole, plant-based foods and addressing the role of stress, sleep, and environmental toxins in weight management. “Weightless” empowers readers to achieve their weight goals healthily and sustainably, benefiting both people and the planet.

About NHA

The National Health Association (NHA), founded in 1948, is a nonprofit organization that promotes the benefits of a plant-based diet. The Association provides educational materials, educational events, and services to thousands of people around the world.

The mission of the National Health Association is to educate and empower individuals to understand that health results from healthful living. The NHA recognizes the integration of all aspects of health: personal, environmental, and social.

The NHA also provides travel experiences around the globe through the NHA Plant-Based Travel and cruise division.

More information: https://www.healthscience.org/

Scholarships

A unique benefit of the NHA Conference is the selection of two medical students who receive a full scholarship to the conference.

Contact Wanda Huberman for more information on how to apply for the scholarship.  [email protected]

NHA membership

For a very nominal investment, you can enjoy incredible benefits of the NHA membership.

Members of the NHA enjoy a subscription to the award-winning quarterly health journal, Health Science, access to the “Members Only” section of the NHA Website (which contains all 43 years of back issues of the magazine),  the ability to download for free many classic out of print eBooks on the history of the Natural Hygiene Movement, including Fasting Can Save Your Life and The Greatest Health Discovery, discounts on books, and early notice of the NHA events.

Only $35 a year for basic membership within the United States.  https://www.healthscience.org/join-renew/