Vegan celebrity chef Leslie Durso highlights the excessive focus on protein in the natural food industry, pointing out that Americans actually have a fiber deficiency rather than a protein deficiency. She emphasizes the importance of consuming real, plant-based foods rich in fiber, minerals, and phytonutrients instead of relying on highly processed protein-infused products. Durso also critiques the trend of beef tallow making a comeback as a supposed ancestral fat, noting the potential health risks associated with consuming saturated animal fats.

Durso praises brands that prioritize simplicity, whole ingredients, and thoughtful sourcing, such as Edward & Sons, That’s It, Seven Sundays, and Zico. She encourages a shift towards foods that naturally contain fiber, such as beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and seeds, as a more sustainable and health-conscious approach to nutrition. While the natural food industry continues to produce ultra-processed products, Durso remains optimistic about a future focused on real, plant-based ingredients prepared with care and integrity.