Unfortunately, it’s never been easier for online influencers to make bad ideas feel convincing. In the wellness space especially, advice can feel contradictory and difficult to trust. We’ve experienced that confusion ourselves, and it’s one of the reasons Balanced by Plants exists.
When you step back from the noise and look at research over time, patterns begin to take shape. Certain ideas show up again and again across well-designed research studies, clinical guidance, and long-term observations. That’s where we choose to spend our attention. Rather than headlines or trends, we focus on areas where the science has had time to settle and mature.
We’re intentional about where our information comes from. Instead of pulling from countless sources or cherry-picking studies that support a particular claim, we rely on a small group of organizations we trust and return to them consistently. When we consider a source, we ask ourselves a few important questions:
- Is the information written or reviewed by medical professionals?
- Is it grounded in peer-reviewed research or clinical experience?
- Is the goal education rather than selling a product or program?
- Is there transparency around what’s known, what’s still evolving, and where uncertainty exists?
If a source doesn’t meet those standards, we don’t use it.
The Kind of Sources We Rely On
Medical & Academic Institutions
We regularly reference patient education materials from nonprofit medical centers and academic health institutions. These groups spend a lot of time translating research into information people can actually use, and their content is typically reviewed by clinicians before it’s shared publicly.
Some of the organizations we reference most often include Harvard Health, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and Orlando Health.
Menopause-Focused Professional Organizations
The years surrounding menopause can affect many aspects of health for women. Alongside some of the broader medical and nutrition sources we rely on, we also look to organizations dedicated specifically to menopause research and education. One of the resources we reference in this area is The Menopause Society, which provides clinically informed perspectives on midlife health.
Evidence-Based Nutrition Education
Interpretation matters in nutrition science. We rely on organizations that consistently review peer-reviewed research and communicate it clearly, especially as it relates to plant-based eating and long-term health. We often refer to NutritionFacts.org and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).
Our Perspective on Plant-Based Nutrition
At Balanced by Plants, our goal is to move away from the standard American diet and toward foods that better support long-term health and disease prevention. We emphasize whole foods, include evidence-supported supplements such as vitamin B12, and focus on making plant-based eating feel realistic, sustainable, and effective in meeting the unique needs of women in peri- and post menopause.
A Note on Medical Care & Personal Research
The information shared on Balanced by Plants is meant to educate and support, not replace medical care. Everyone’s health history, needs, and circumstances are different, and we believe those differences matter.
We encourage you to work with your healthcare provider, explore reputable sources, ask questions, and decide how information applies to your own body and life. Thoughtful decision-making, in our view, is far more valuable than quick answers.
Want to explore further?
Our goal isn’t to tell you what to think or how to eat. It’s to offer well-supported information you can explore, question, and use in a way that feels sustainable and empowering.
If you’d like to see how this philosophy shows up in our recipes, meal planning, and lifestyle guidance, we invite you to explore the rest of Balanced by Plants and take from it what serves you. We’re happy you’re here and hope you find useful and meaningful content!
