Susan M. Levin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1971-07-21)July 21, 1971 |
| Died | July 29, 2022(2022-07-29) (aged 51) |
| Occupation | Dietitian |
Susan Marie Levin (July 21, 1971 – July 29, 2022)[1] was an American registereddietitian, advocate ofplant-based nutrition andveganism activist. She was one of the authors of theAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics position on vegetarian diets in 2016.
Levin was born on July 21, 1971, inMontgomery, Alabama. She became a vegan at the age of 24.[1] Levin obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Science in Nutrition fromBastyr University in 2003.[2][3] She received a specialist certification in sports dietetics from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.[2]
From 2005 Levin was Director of Nutrition Education for thePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and did research on the connection between plant-based diets and reduced risk of chronic diseases.[2][4] Levin criticized the media for promotinganimal source foods rich insaturated fat which increases the risk of heart disease.[5] She promoted a high-fiber diet of fruits, legumes, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. Levin advised parents to removedairy products andprocessed sugar from their children's diets.[6] She was featured in the 2017 documentary filmWhat the Health.[1]
Levin argued against the use of manydietary supplements which she felt were unnecessary. She commented thatVitamin B12 is the only supplement vegans need.[7] Levin stated that there is no reason for people to consume dairy products as a plant-based diet is a healthier option to meetcalcium,potassium, andVitamin D requirements. This has been disputed by other dietitians who have argued that it is very difficult to get theRecommended Dietary Allowance of 1,000 mg of calcium per day on a plant-based diet without dairy products or supplements.[8]
Levin was a speaker at the 2021Istanbul Vegfest.[9] She died on July 29, 2022, at her home inWashington, D.C.[1] The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine created two funds in Levin's honour.[10]
