Virginia Messina | |
|---|---|
| Born | Virginia Kisch |
| Education | University of Michigan (MPH, 1981) |
| Occupations |
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Virginia Messina (also known as Ginny Messina and The Vegan RD) is an American registered dietitian and veganism activist, best known for her research on plant-based nutrition. She has twice co-authored the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position paper on vegetarian diets.
Messina became a vegetarian in 1970s after reading the cookbook Laurel's Kitchen . [1] She became interested in animal rights and veganism in the 1980s. [1] She obtained a Master of Public Health degree from University of Michigan in 1981. [2] She was director of nutrition services at George Washington University Medical Center from 1987 to 1989 and a dietitian for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) from 1989 to 1992. [2] She was on the PCRM Board of Advisors from 1997 to 2012. [2] Messina is an adjunct assistant professor at Loma Linda University. [2]
Messina is a member of the Vegetarian Resource Group and has been on their board of advisors since 1997. [2] [3] Messina and her husband founded Vegetarian Nutrition: An International Journal. [4] She is a founding member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. [2] [3] Messina co-authored the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly American Dietetic Association) position paper on vegetarian diets in 1997 and 2003. [5]
In 2011, Messina co-authored Vegan for Life: Everything You Need to Know to Be Healthy on a Plant-Based Diet with Jack Norris. [6] It was updated in 2020. [7] [8]
In 2018, Messina was a speaker at the Boston Veg Food Fest. [9]
Messina is married to Mark J. Messina, a nutritionist and soy researcher. [10] They reside in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. [3] She is an animal rights activist and vegan who volunteers with Berkshire Voters for Animals. [3] Messina serves on the board of directors of Alley Cat Rescue. [11] [12]
Her father William Joseph Kisch died in 2003. [13]
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