Virginia Messina (also known asGinny Messina andThe Vegan RD) is an American registereddietitian and veganism activist, best known for her research onplant-based nutrition. She has twice co-authored theAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics position paper on vegetarian diets.
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 foundedVegetarian 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 theAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly American Dietetic Association) position paper on vegetarian diets in 1997 and 2003.[5]
In 2011, Messina co-authoredVegan for Life: Everything You Need to Know to Be Healthy on a Plant-Based Diet withJack 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 theBerkshires of westernMassachusetts.[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]
