Our Beginnings

With the efforts of several passionate people who had been following a WFPB lifestyle for several years, our group formalized itself in 2017.

October 2015:

Chris Christensen and Preeti Bansal Kshirsagar (PlantPure Nation - Regional ManagerMidwest) started the Cincinnati area PlantPure Pod, a member of PlantPure Communities, the WFPB organization created by T. Colin Campbell, PhD.

April/May 2016:

Julie Bodnar meets with Chris, Preeti, Richard Brown and Mike Fremont to discuss growing an independent nonprofit WFPB Cincinnati group modeled after Paul Chatlin’s Plant Based Support organization in Detroit, Michigan. Julie had gone to several of their programs and spent time with Paul learning how he grew Plant Based Support with speakers and events.

September/October 2017:

Chris & Preeti needed to step down from leading the PlantPure Pod and some Meet-Up groups. They were merged into Plant-Based Healthy Cincinnati (PBHC).

October 2017:

Plant-Based Healthy Cincinnati hosted its first potluck of about 16 people at Julie Bodnar’s house.

February 2018:

Plant-Based Healthy Cincinnati Facebook Group created under the original name of Cincinnati & Northeast Cincinnati – WFPB.

FAQs

Whole foods plant-based eating focuses on consuming minimally processed foods from plants—fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This approach emphasizes nutritional excellence, supports chronic disease prevention, and champions sustainability for our planet.

 Health Benefits: Scientific research consistently shows that a diet centered on whole plant foods can lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain cancers. It also promotes healthy digestion, boosts energy, and supports mental well-being.

 Community Connection: Sharing meals and experiences around whole plant foods fosters inclusion, compassion, and cultural exchange. Our organization seeks to be a welcoming space for all, regardless of background or current dietary habits.

 Environmental Impact: Plant-based diets use fewer resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and preserve biodiversity. By reducing reliance on animal products, we lighten our ecological footprint and pave the way for a more sustainable future.