Ep. 306: Dr. Regina Ragasa - This Obesity Doctor's 3 Weight Loss Rules That Actually Work
PLANTSTRONG Podcast
Rip Esselstyn
4.8 • 2.3K Ratings
🗓️ 19 June 2025
⏱️ 62 minutes
🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
What happens when a doctor realizes that pills weren’t healing her patients—but plants were? You have the makings of a wonderful interview with triple board-certified physician Dr. Regina Ragasa.
As a specialist in obesity and lifestyle medicine, Regina opens up about her transformation from a conventional doctor (aka - “drug dealer”) to a fierce advocate for whole food, plant-based nutrition.
You'll hear how a single conversation with a colleague sparked her interest in reversing chronic illness through diet—ultimately leading to a life-changing shift in how she practices medicine.
Dr. Ragasa breaks down her three core rules for sustainable weight loss and optimal health:
- Remove all animal products
- Eliminate ultra-processed foods
- Cook without oil
Each rule is backed by science and real-life success stories—including the inspiring case of her “patient zero” who reversed diabetes without medication.
Rip and Dr. Regasa dive deep into the challenges and misconceptions surrounding obesity, GLP-1 medications, and food culture and, with honesty and hope, she urges us all to embrace food as medicine and rethink the way we define health and healing.
SPECIAL Food Promo for Podcast Listeners Only!
Use code: podcast10 to receive 10% off food orders at plantstrong.com
Upcoming Events:
Join us for our 2025 Plantstrong Retreat in Black Mountain, NC - Nov 9-14, 2025: https://plantstrong.com/pages/black-mountain-retreat
Let Us Help Your PLANTSTRONG Journey
Use Code: KALE20 for $20 off Annual Subscription at https://home.mealplanner.plantstrong.com/
COMPLEMENT: Use code PLANTSTRONG for 30% off at https://lovecomplement.com/pages/plantstrong-special-offer
Leave Us a Voicemail Question
Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/plantstrong
Follow PLANTSTRONG and Rip Esselstyn
https://plantstrongfoods.com/
https://www.facebook.com/GoPlantstrong
https://www.instagram.com/goplantstrong/
https://www.instagram.com/ripesselstyn/
Follow the PLANTSTRONG Podcast and Give the Show a 5-star Rating
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | I'm Ray Besselston, and you're listening to the Plant Strong podcast. |
| 0:05.2 | What happens when a physician realizes that pills weren't healing their patients, but plants were? |
| 0:14.7 | Well, you have the makings of a wonderful interview with triple board certified physician, Dr. Regina Ragasa, who is going to |
| 0:23.5 | share her incredible journey from writing prescriptions to prescribing plants. That's coming up right |
| 0:30.8 | after these words from Plant Strong. I have some exciting news from the Plant Strong events side of the business. We are proud to announce |
| 0:41.5 | that Plan Strong is now a platinum partner of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. |
| 0:47.3 | And this is a powerful step forward for us in our mission to reach as many people as possible, |
| 0:56.0 | including health care providers, |
| 1:00.7 | with the proven benefits of a whole food, plant-based lifestyle. |
| 1:06.8 | And as part of this commitment, our upcoming November Planned Strong retreat is going to offer continuing education credits for licensed providers, giving them the chance to recharge |
| 1:13.0 | both personally and professionally, while learning how to apply nutrition is the most effective |
| 1:18.9 | tool in the fight against chronic disease. And for those who can't join us in person, |
| 1:24.7 | we have created the next best thing. I'm introducing our medically tailored |
| 1:30.2 | pantry meal plan bundle. This is a full week of delicious done for you meals that, when paired |
| 1:38.8 | with fresh produce from a simple grocery list, costs you less than $8 per meal. It's designed for people who've |
| 1:46.4 | been told by their doctor, eat more plants, but they have no idea where to begin. We've already |
| 1:53.9 | seen amazing results from people using this plan, and in many ways it's like attending a |
| 1:59.7 | Plant Strong retreat from the comfort of your |
| 2:02.5 | own kitchen. Just follow the plan and then experience how amazing it feels to fuel your day with |
| 2:09.5 | real satisfying meals made entirely from whole plant ingredients. To learn more, visit Plantstrong.com and then click on the new meal |
| 2:20.6 | plan bundle or send us an email at hello at plantstrong.com and we'll be happy to send you all the |
| 2:27.9 | details right to your inbox. I want to welcome you back to the Plant Strong podcast where we celebrate the power of |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in 6 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Rip Esselstyn, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Rip Esselstyn and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.