Justine Doiron, the talented creator behind the popular cooking platform @Justine_Snacks, has captured the hearts of many with her delightful cooking videos that make vegetables feel both accessible and indulgent. Now, this best-selling New York Times cookbook author has partnered with Nature Made and HelloFresh to introduce a gut-friendly menu that is easy to recreate at home.
The new collaboration features special HelloFresh meal kits and recipes curated by Justine, designed to complement Nature Made’s latest digestive support supplements.
In the following conversation, Justine shares insights with The Healthy by Reader’s Digest on her approach to intuitive eating, the significance of gut health on her plate, and how embracing her favorite foods has transformed into a journey of self-love.
The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Justine, your recipes promote a feel-good approach. How do you believe intuitive eating enhances not only gut health but emotional well-being as well?
Justine Doiron: Intuitive eating is a fascinating concept, often misconstrued as just another health trend—it can hold various meanings for different individuals. For me, I’ve learned to view intuitive eating through the lens of energy: How does this food make me feel? This perspective has helped me identify the foods that I enjoy cooking, eating, and sharing—those that nourish gut health, support digestion, and encourage holistic wellness, which is vital to me.
When I think about intuitive eating, I emphasize honoring my cravings and the energy I need for my daily life. This could involve a variety of vegetables, plant proteins, or other protein sources based on who I’m cooking for, always ensuring that my meals are satisfying. While flavor remains my top priority, I also want the food I consume to fuel me throughout the day. My approach is all about additions rather than restrictions, which ultimately supports gut health by ensuring variety on my plate. So when Nature Made approached me, it felt like a natural fit, as it’s already how I cook.
The Healthy: Could you share how your collaboration with Nature Made came about?
Justine Doiron: They reached out to me to find chefs who embodied the philosophy of gut-healthy cooking. While I had never explicitly identified my meals as promoting digestive health, the habits ingrained in my cooking naturally align with that goal. Having used Nature Made products for years, creating recipes to help others support their gut health—and perhaps introducing them to new foods—seemed seamless for me.
The Healthy: How do you personally define gut health and intuitive eating, especially when making food choices?
Justine Doiron: For me, mentally restricting what I eat contradicts intuitive eating. It involves having a structure in place—meals that support digestion, are balanced based on whole foods, and factoring in my hunger and cravings. By “gut healthy,” I mean foods rich in fiber, incorporating fermented ingredients, and supporting prebiotic and probiotic health.
There’s no need to overthink it; just establish a structure that works for you. It could be three meals a day, or perhaps two, depending on your routine. My partner, for instance, eats twice a day—quite foreign to me! I need three. Once I have consumed my required proteins, carbs, and vegetables for the day, I trust my cravings completely. Just last night, I enjoyed a peanut butter cup while watching Love Island. No guilt at all.
This approach to eating has been my reality for quite some time. I openly discuss my struggles with food, and it has taken years to arrive at this healthy relationship, focusing first on a balanced diet.
The Healthy: With summer being a season of convenience, what are your go-to snacks or meals that are easy to take on the go?
Justine Doiron: Who doesn’t love a good summer sandwich? I enjoy a salad sandwich made with an array of vegetables and a creamy dressing that mimics mayo on a bed of delicious focaccia. If you enjoy meat, add some cold cuts. Otherwise, I have a fabulous tofu recipe in my cookbook that’s incredibly filling and perfect for a day at the beach.
I also made frozen coconut butter dates with dark chocolate for the Nature Made website. We just froze them yesterday and they are delightful. Coconut butter is different than coconut oil—it resembles peanut butter more in texture, and delivers a chewy, fudgy, coconut-flavored treat. It’s like an Almond Joy. If you want to elevate the experience, warm them slightly out of the freezer and add them to s’mores. Divine!
The Healthy: You’ve developed a reputable online community. How do you decide which food trends to explore and share with your followers?
Justine Doiron: Food trends come and go rapidly. If one piques my interest, I’ll try it out after careful evaluation. I ask myself: Is this fun and practical to make? Will it work in an average home kitchen? And, does it genuinely resonate with me?
Once it meets all three criteria, I share it. A while back, there was a trend for upside-down hand pies where you put the pie dough on top instead of the bottom. I gave it a test run and posted the results. Subsequently, someone DM’d me saying, “I was skeptical, but seeing you do it made me want to try it.” That’s the trust I value.
The Healthy: With a best-selling cookbook and a large community to manage, what’s one self-care habit you prioritize?
Justine Doiron: I’m very much a creature of habit, and my self-care rituals take place in the morning. I make sure to fit it all in early, so I know it’ll get done. I wake up early—thanks in part to my cat’s demands—and start with water mixed with a splash of apple cider vinegar while I create my to-do list, a habit I established in college. Before diving into my day, whether I’m going for a walk or hitting the gym, I ensure I take my multivitamins. Recently, I added folic acid to my regimen, along with vitamin B12 for my plant-based diet, and delicious Nature Made probiotic gummies.
The Healthy: Finally, with summer’s barbecues and social gatherings, what’s your best advice for staying healthy while enjoying these events?
Justine Doiron: It’s definitely a challenge we all face! My top tip is hydration. It’s often the first thing we neglect when out and about. I always advocate finding an enjoyable way to stay hydrated—like mixing apple cider vinegar with seltzer water. Some argue it’s not as hydrating, but I can’t wrap my head around that. Plus, summer produce is unbeatable; cucumbers are bursting with flavor, and nothing compares to juicy watermelon in July.
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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
