Overcoming MS Facilitator Karen Lee talks to Jack McNulty and community members Melody Landwehr and Jenna Cox about their experiences of eating well on the Overcoming MS diet.
In this webinar, Overcoming MS Facilitator and Nutritional Therapist Karen Lee talks to plant-based chef and writer Jack McNulty and Overcoming MS community members Melody Landwehr and Jenna Cox about their personal experiences of living well on the Overcoming MS diet. In the latter part of the webinar, our panel answer questions from the audience during a Q&A.
03:45 Overview of the Overcoming MS diet
04:18 What you can enjoy eating on the Overcoming MS diet
06:24 Jack McNulty’s introduction and diet philosophy for those who are new to the Program
18:10 Practical tips for cooking and consuming healthy fat
30:08 Melody Landwehr’s experience of starting on the Overcoming MS diet
31:32 Finding something that works for you
33:49 Introduction to Nutritional Therapist Jenna Cox
40:37 Quick go-to evening meal ideas
44:48 The research behind saturated fats and how to measure your intake
48:49 Spraying olive oil over vegetables
51:32 How to take flaxseed oil
54:20 Ideas for gaining weight
57:00 Snacks
01:00:00 Our next webinar and the Overcoming MS retreat 2025
Jack McNulty
Jack McNulty has been involved in food and cooking most of his life. He’s walked many paths during his culinary journey, transforming himself from an interested home cook to a professional chef with classical training working in high-end restaurants in Switzerland, Italy, and France. Jack operated his own catering business and cooking school for 15 years, while also finding time to write about cooking. Jack’s current activities include operating myfreshattitude.com – a website dedicated to providing healthy vegan recipes and useful vegan cooking instruction and techniques.
He also writes and distributes a weekly international newsletter – VeganWeekly – to inspire people to cook healthy vegan food. Jack has followed the Overcoming MS lifestyle since 2009 and has worked on providing recipes and information to the Overcoming MS website. He was the contributing editor to the Overcoming MS Cookbook, and authored the ‘Eat Well’ chapter in the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Handbook.
Karen Lee
Karen is a retired intensive care nurse, nutritionist, advocate for plant-based eating, author and recipe developer. She was diagnosed with MS in March 2016 after several bouts of severe optic neuritis. She feels very fortunate to have been aware of Overcoming MS through a work colleague and adopted the Program straight away. Already eating a whole-food plant-based diet, she soon learnt the importance of the other six pillars in managing her health and is very happy that she remains well and active. Karen has created and run her own courses in whole-food plant-based eating and loves teaching people to cook amazingly tasty food that just happens to be good for health.
She published her first book in 2019 and has a second coming out in 2025. Karen is mum to two young adults and lives in rural Mid-Devon with her husband. Keen travellers, they love exploring the UK and Europe in their campervan.
Jenna Cox
Jenna Cox is a registered nutritional therapist specialising in supporting individuals with MS to take greater control of their health journeys and live their best lives. Her holistic approach considers her client’s accompanying health concerns including gut health, cardiovascular diseases, weight management, thyroid diseases, and osteoporosis. Jenna was diagnosed with RRMS in November 2016. The Overcoming MS Program played such an important role in her own experience of MS, and she is now supporting Overcoming MS as one of the Bristol Circle Ambassadors.
She loves walking in the hills and mountains with her partner and hopes that they’ll soon have a doggy companion on their adventures.
Melody Landwehr
Melody Landwehr is a qualified accountant living in London with her partner and beloved dog. Originally from Minnesota, Melody grew up on a diet rich in dairy and meat and balanced four jobs alongside numerous family and friend obligations, showcasing a remarkable dedication and work ethic. This lifestyle led to a diagnosis of Relapsing Remitting MS in 2013. Within 18 months, Melody suffered a second relapse, resulting in mental health issues, balance problems, brain fog, and the need to walk with a walking stick. Shortly after she moved to London to be with her partner and learned about the Overcoming MS Lifestyle.
Having had great success with the Overcoming MS (OMS) lifestyle, Melody has become an advocate for Overcoming MS. She draws from her own experiences and tries to help others adopt the lifestyle by sharing her insights into managing multiple sclerosis through mindful eating, exercise, mindfulness, and a balanced lifestyle. Melody also tells people about the Overcoming MS lifestyle every chance she gets, as it’s useful for all people in living a health life and aging well.
Outside of her professional career and Overcoming MS advocacy, Melody enjoys hiking, running, swimming, tennis, and yoga. She also loves to travel, read, and spend quality time with family and friends. Guided by the motto “Be brave and be kind,” Melody strives to use her talents to help others, inspiring those around her to live well and stay positive.
This webinar was recorded on 20th November 2024 as part of our Living Well with MS Webinar Series.
Our guest speakers will be answering some of 50+ questions that we received in the next few weeks.
A transcript for this episode is coming soon.
Watch other recent webinars by Karen Lee:
Watch other recent podcast episodes by Jack McNulty:
S6E23 Ask Jack – Fermented foods
S5E9 Ask Jack – Dining Out at Restaurants