Episode
How to Get Protein on a Vegan Diet: Chef & Nutritionist Gigi Grassia on Vegan Italian Cooking
- Podcast
- The Recipe
- Published
- Feb 6, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2045
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://episode.flightcast.com/01KGD3PKMVNE3VAEEQ5BN45C91.mp3
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Summary
In this episode, Theo is joined by the brilliant Gigi Grassia, chef, nutritional coach, and a leading voice in modern plant-based cooking. With a thriving online community and her debut cookbook Plant Protein, Gigi is championing high-protein vegan dishes that are comforting, colourful, and full of heart. From her small village in Verona to studying in Hong Kong, running ultramarathons, and building a devoted following online, Gigi's journey is a testament to the power of creativity, curiosity, and cooking with love. Gigi prepares her beloved Hearty Pasta e Fagioli, a traditional dish from the Cucina Popolare passed down from her Nonna Paola in Naples. Using simple, wholesome ingredients including borlotti beans, a classic sofrito of onion, carrot, and celery, fresh rosemary, a touch of chilli, spinach, and quality durum wheat pasta cooked directly in the broth, this one-pan wonder is comfort food at its finest. Finished with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for added protein and that irresistible cheesy flavour, this recipe beautifully encapsulates Gigi's cooking philosophy - plant-based food that's nourishing, accessible, and rooted in tradition whilst embracing global influences. Throughout the episode, Gigi shares her remarkable journey from leaving Italy at 19 to studying in Germany and Hong Kong, her transformative decision to go vegan four years ago, and how she's successfully combined her passions for fitness, nutrition, and cooking. She discusses the importance of whole food plant proteins, the misconceptions around vegan diets and protein intake, her experience running ultramarathons on a plant-based diet and why food education and creativity are essential to building a healthy relationship with what we eat. Gigi also opens up about her Italian heritage, the i…