Megan Rossi

One of three children, Rossi was raised by her single mother, a science teacher, on a farm near Cairns in rural Australia.

Rossi studied Dietetics at Queensland University of Technology from 2006 to 2009. After receiving first-class honours, she went on to conduct more research into the field while working as a dietitian at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane. In 2014, she earned her PhD in gut health from the University of Queensland while also working as a nutritionist for the Australia Olympic Synchronised Swimming team.{{Cite web |title=Dr Megan Rossi |url=https://www.mac-nutritionmentoringlab.com/expert/dr-megan-rossi/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=Mentoring Lab |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Krogh |first=Chris |date=10 May 2022 |title=Dr MEGAN ROSSI on what to eat to boost everything from your heart to your hormones |url=https://vigourtimes.com/dr-megan-rossi-on-what-to-eat-to-boost-everything-from-your-heart-to-your-hormones/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=Vigour Times |language=en-US}}

Rossi moved to London, UK in 2015, where she lives with her husband Thomas and her sons Archie and Cooper.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Rossi is a Research Fellow at King's College London{{Cite web |title=Dr Megan Rossi |url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/megan-rossi |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=www.kcl.ac.uk |language=en-GB}} looking at nutrition-based therapies in gut health, including prebiotics and probiotics, dietary fibres, plant-based diversity, the low-FODMAP diet and food additives. She has published over 50 scientific papers in International peer-reviewed journals.{{Cite web |last1=Queensl |first1=The University of |last2=Lucia |first2=Australia Brisbane St |last3=Gatton |first3=QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ |last4=Maps |first4=UQ Herston |last5=Queensl |first5=Directions 2022 The University of |title=Gut feeling helps Megan win Three Minute Thesis competition |url=https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2014/09/gut-feeling-helps-megan-win-three-minute-thesis-competition |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=UQ News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Megan Rossi – Research Funding – Research Portal, King's College, London |url=https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/megan-rossi(1f4f3ed3-9c0c-4e99-839b-bb560ab5fb16)/projects.html |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=kclpure.kcl.ac.uk}}

In 2017, Rossi established an online presence as The Gut Health Doctor (@theguthealthdoctor with over 600,000 followers across various social media platforms), with a focus on linking gut health with other health concerns such as mental health, heart disease, kidney disease and skin conditions.

Rossi founded [https://www.theguthealthdoctor.com/clinic The Gut Health Clinic], which includes a team of gut specialist dietitians, for clinical conditions such as IBS, IBD, coeliac disease and other gut disorders,{{Cite web |date=11 March 2018 |title=Rising Star: Meet Gut-Health Guru Megan Rossi |url=https://dietitianconnection.com/news/business-leadership/gut-health-guru-megan-rossi/ |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Dietitian Connection |language=en-AU}} as well as weight management, diabetes, cancer and women's health.

Rossi co-founded Bio&Me{{Cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://bioandme.co.uk/pages/our-story |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Bio&Me |language=en}} in 2019, a food range with a focus on gut health.{{Cite web |last=Regnier |first=Louis |title=UK's Leading Gut Health Brand Closes Fundraise in Record Time |url=http://startupsmagazine.co.uk/article-uks-leading-gut-health-brand-closes-fundraise-record-time |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Startups Magazine |language=en}} The company was named UK Future Brand of the Year 2021,{{Cite web |title=Future Brands Competition 2021 |url=https://foodmatterslive.com/food-matters-live/future-brands-competition-2021/ |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Food Matters Live |language=en-US}} has won several Great Taste Awards,{{Cite web |last=Helen |date=2024-08-09 |title=Chester Gut Health Business Scoops Four Great Taste Awards {{!}} Business Cheshire |url=https://www.businesscheshire.co.uk/2024/08/09/chester-gut-health-business-scoops-four-great-taste-awards/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |language=en-GB}} and has received investment from Harry Kane.{{Cite web |last=Amani |first=Julian |date=10 March 2022 |title=Harry Kane backs Bio&Me as gut health brand raises £1.4m |url=https://www.grocerygazette.co.uk/2022/03/10/harry-kane-backs-health-brand/ |access-date=2022-09-19 |language=en-US}} The company achieved B Corp Status in 2022.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-16 |title=Bio&Me achieves high-scoring B Corp Status |url=https://justentrepreneurs.co.uk/news/biome-achieves-high-scoring-b-corp-status |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Just Entrepreneurs |language=en-GB}}

Rossi founded SMART STRAINS in 2025, clinically proven live bacteria supplement range backed by international health guidelines.

• 2017 British Medical Journal Open Gastroenterology prize 'Best clinical science abstract for oral presentation'.
• 2017 British Nutrition Foundation 'Drummond Pump Priming Award'. (presented by Princess Royal, Princess Anne{{Cite web |title=Princess Royal, Princess Anne awards Dr Megan Rossi with grant {{!}} Website archive {{!}} King's College London |url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/archive/news/lsm/newsrecords/2017/nov/princess-royal-princess-anne-awards-dr-megan-rossi-with-grant |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.kcl.ac.uk}}).
• 2019 Business Insider's Top 100 Coolest People in Food & Drink.{{Cite web |last=Hosie |first=Alison Millington, Tom Murray, Rachel |title=The 100 coolest people in food and drink |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/food-100-coolest-people-in-food-and-drink-2019-1 |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}
• 2020 Young Australian Achiever of the Year in the UK, from the Australian High Commission for her contribution to science and public education.{{Cite web |title=The Gala Dinner 2020 – Australia Day |url=https://australiaday.co.uk/the-gala-dinner-2020 |access-date=2022-09-19 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Subscribe to the Cairns Post |url=https://dsf.newscorpaustralia.com/cairnspost/subscription/ |access-date=2022-09-19 |language=en-AU}}
• 2023 LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders {{Cite web |date=2023-10-20 |title=Founders of Chester-based gut health business listed among top business leaders in UK |url=https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/23868395.leaders-chester-business-bio-listed-among-best-uk/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Chester and District Standard |language=en}}
• 2024 Hurun UK Under 35s Young Entrepreneurs to Watch {{Cite web |last=ncompass.co.uk |first=Website by |title=Hurun UK Under 35s and Under30s Night |url=https://www.hurun.co.uk/hurun-uk-under35s-2023-list.php |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Hurun UK |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=London |first=King's College |title=Six King's founders make list of leading young entrepreneurs |url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/six-kings-founders-make-list-of-leading-young-entrepreneurs |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=King's College London |language=en}}

Rossi has noted that there are a number of different plant-based diets including veganism, lacto-vegetarianism, lacto-ovo vegetarianism, pescetarianism and flexitarianism.[https://web.archive.org/web/20231230002507/https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/life/food-drink/what-is-plant-based-diet-772361 "You asked, we answered: what exactly is a plant-based diet?"]. marieclaire.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2024. She has stated that a plant-based diet does not have to be vegan and can occasionally include meat but the bulk of the diet must be built around plant foods.[https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/how-to-have-a-healthy-gut-30-different-plants-a-week-zl27xtmkx "How to have a healthy gut: 30 different plants a week"]. thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2024. Rossi has commented that she does not personally promote a vegan or vegetarian diet.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/diet/gut-health/best-foods-gut-health-lose-weight-fight-illness-uk-2022/ "How to feed your gut to lose weight, fight illness and improve health"]. telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 1 January 2024. Her advice is to eat more plants but not eliminate entire food groups. According to Rossi, "including some animal foods in your diet can be a valuable way to decrease your risk of nutritional deficiencies - I am in no way antimeat". She has criticized plant-based junk and processed foods, including vegan cheese for degraded nutrients.[https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200129-why-vegan-junk-food-may-be-even-worse-for-your-health "Why vegan junk food may be even worse for your health"]. bbc.com. Retrieved 1 January 2024.

Rossi has argued that a plant-based diet is the opposite of a fad diet, it is a sustainable way to eat a healthy diet. She has stated that the main focus of a plant-based diet should be on whole foods, including whole grains, fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. Rossi has suggested that gut health is about moderation and plant diversity and that the ultimate goal should be to eat 30 different types of plant-based foods every week. She says that the 5 A Day rule is a good starting point but the microbes living in the gut need a diversity of plants to flourish.

Rossi's debut book, Eat Yourself Healthy{{Cite web |author1=Jonathan Shannon |date=23 September 2019 |title=5 Gut Health Myths, According To The Gut Health Doctor |url=https://www.coachmag.co.uk/health/8308/5-gut-health-myths-according-to-the-gut-health-doctor |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=coachmaguk |language=en}} (UK, Australia & Europe) and Love Your Gut{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Lauren |date=15 January 2022 |title=A Book I Highly Recommend For Gut Health: Love Your Gut |url=https://lewslife.com/2022/01/15/a-book-i-highly-recommend-for-gut-health-love-your-gut/ |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=LEW's Life |language=en}} (US & Canada), was published in September 2019. The book features recipes and advice on IBS and bloating, diagnosing food intolerances, and the relationship between gut health, sleep and exercise.{{Cite web |title=5 minutes with Dr Megan Rossi {{!}} Feature from King's College London |url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/5-minutes-with-dr-megan-rossi |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=www.kcl.ac.uk |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=5 minutes with Dr Megan Rossi, Bio&Me {{!}} Food & Drink |url=https://www.specialityfoodmagazine.com/food-and-drink/5-minutes-with-dr-megan-rossi-biome |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Speciality Food Magazine |language=en}} The book was dedicated to her older sister, Justine, who died aged 5 in a playground accident. It was a Sunday Times bestseller and has been published in 4 languages to date.

Rossi's book Eat More, Live Well was published in 2021 by Penguin Books and was also a Sunday Times bestseller.{{Citation |title=#137 The Diversity Diet with Dr Megan Rossi {{!}} The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast |date=16 February 2022 |url=https://shows.acast.com/the-doctors-kitchen-podcast/episodes/megan-rossi |access-date=2022-11-03}} The book suggests eating 30 different plant-based foods a week.{{Cite web |date=31 January 2022 |title=How to sneak 30+ plants into your weekly meals |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7576301/how-to-sneak-30-plants-into-your-weekly-meals/ |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=The Canberra Times |language=en-AU}}{{Citation |title=Eating 30 Plants per Week and Supercharging Your Health {{!}} Dr. Megan Rossi | date=22 August 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blah3kHCMqA |language=en |access-date=2022-09-19}} The editors of the book commented that "based on the latest gut-health science, all of the recipes are packed with plants, but you’ll still find meat, dairy and eggs in there, because it’s all about diversity—eating more, not less. Megan’s love of food shines through every page and we can’t wait to see people enjoying her tasty creations".[https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/penguin-life-lands-rossis-book-plant-based-eating-1267136 "Penguin Life lands Rossi's book on plant-based eating"]. thebookseller.com. Retrieved 30 December 2023.

• Rossi has a regular gut health segment on ITV's This Morning show.{{Cite web |title=Does Counting Calories Actually Work? 🥗 |url=https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/does-counting-calories-actually-work |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=ITV |language=en}}
• Appeared on 'Dr Xand's Con or Cure' (2023{{Cite web |title=BBC One - Dr Xand's Con or Cure, Series 1, Episode 5 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001l6bs |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} and 2024{{Cite web |title=BBC One - Dr Xand's Con or Cure, Series 2, Episode 14 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001wbm9 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}) on BBC 1.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001l6bs/dr-xands-con-or-cure-series-1-episode-5 |title=Dr Xand's Con or Cure - Series 1: Episode 5 |language=en-GB |access-date=2024-04-11 |via=www.bbc.co.uk}}
• She has also appeared on Lorraine,{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Adam |date=14 February 2022 |title=How to live longer: The food that can add almost 9 years to your life |url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1565609/how-to-live-longer-add-more-plant-foods-to-diet-longevity |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}} BBC Morning Live,{{Cite news |title=Morning Live – Series 3: 12/01/2022 |language=en-GB |work=BBC iPlayer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0013drr/morning-live-series-3-12012022 |access-date=2022-09-19}} ITV Tonight (2020), Sky News{{Cite web |last=Stafford |first=Rebecca |date=28 June 2022 |title=Gut health guru Dr MEGAN ROSSI on strategies to think about when dealing with constipation |url=https://skynews.icu/health/22670-gut-health-guru-dr-megan-rossi-on-strategies-to-think-about-when-dealing-with-constipation/ |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=Sky News: The Latest News from the World |language=en-GB}} and ITV's What You Need To Know.

• From 2022-2023, Rossi had a weekly column in The Daily Mail.
• She appears on BBC Radio 4 Inside Science{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 4 - BBC Inside Science, Why do we sleep? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001znlt |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} and, the Chris Evans Breakfast Show{{Cite web |date=2022-01-11 |title=Dr Megan Rossi on good gut health and eating MORE to be healthier {{!}} Virgin Radio UK |url=https://virginradio.co.uk/the-chris-evans-breakfast-show/43974/dr-megan-rossi-on-good-gut-health-and-eating-more-to-be-healthier |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=virginradio.co.uk |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The one with gut health guru Dr Megan Rossi |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/tr/podcast/the-one-with-gut-health-guru-dr-megan-rossi/id1450650136?i=1000695501274 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-GB}} on Virgin Radio.
• She contributes to the Guardian,{{Cite news |last=Rossi |first=Dr Megan |date=2022-02-21 |title=Plant-based eating – redefined |url=https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-masterclasses/guardian-masterclass-blog/2022/feb/21/plant-based-eating-redefined |access-date=2025-03-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} the Telegraph,{{Cite web |date=2022-02-15 |title=Dr Megan Rossi |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/m/ma-me/megan-rossi/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=The Telegraph |language=en}} Marie Claire{{Cite web |last=Features |first=Dr Megan Rossi published in |date=2025-02-19 |title=Probiotics are the supplement of the moment - As a world-leading gut health scientist, this is my honest take on whether you should take them |url=https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/life/health-fitness/should-i-take-probiotics |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Marie Claire UK |language=en}} and Stylist magazine.{{Cite web |title=5 gut health trends to avoid (and what to eat instead), according to The Gut Health Doctor |url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/fitness-health/nutrition/gut-health-trends-to-avoid/967421 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.stylist.co.uk}}
• She regularly delivers keynote presentations at New Scientist Live{{Cite web |title=New Scientist Live: Megan Rossi explains the evidence about nutrition |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2216105-new-scientist-live-megan-rossi-explains-the-evidence-about-nutrition/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=New Scientist |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Megan Rossi |url=https://live.newscientist.com/speakers/megan-rossi |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=New Scientist Live 2025 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGRRkuKY7sA |title=Megan Rossi: Gut health - the secret to happiness? |date=2020-06-10 |last=New Scientist |access-date=2025-03-26 |via=YouTube}} and other health conferences.

• Rossi appears on Stompcast,{{Citation |title=Pt 1: Gut Health: Everything You Need to Know {{!}} Dr Megan Rossi |date=2024-08-19 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/45k8Q6WHBhRBDi0zXp7ZAx?si=7d97210affe24590&nd=1&dlsi=7b42c5c900c6423a |access-date=2025-03-26 |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Pt 2: Why you NEED to Focus on Fibre {{!}} Dr Megan Rossi |date=2024-08-20 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4jSJUElc2jpPuLPxXtTQgC?si=b0aec184c0ef4177&nd=1&dlsi=37e1acad23f8468c |access-date=2025-03-26 |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Pt 3: The 6 Foods You Should Eat Everyday To Live Longer {{!}} Dr Megan Rossi |date=2024-08-21 |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GTWrllcEQL1AmIFm0kW40?si=8352da5fc3e04209&nd=1&dlsi=386ed822f9054971 |access-date=2025-03-26 |language=en}} The Power Hour{{Cite web |title=Dr Megan Rossi: The Gut Health Doctor |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dr-megan-rossi-the-gut-health-doctor/id1443615779?i=1000547510466 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Dr Megan Rossi |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dr-megan-rossi/id1443615779?i=1000449205863 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-GB}} and The Doctor’s Kitchen.{{Cite web |title=Picking your probiotics with Dr Megan Rossi |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/picking-your-probiotics-with-dr-megan-rossi/id1595543955?i=1000558555053 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-GB}}
• She has also appeared on TED Health,{{Cite web |title=A Healthier You: Your gut's guide to a happier microbiome |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-healthier-you-your-guts-guide-to-a-happier-microbiome/id470623173?i=1000676981136 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-US}} Feel Better Live More,{{Cite web |title=#5 IBS and Gut Health with Dr Megan Rossi |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/5-ibs-and-gut-health-with-dr-megan-rossi/id1333552422?i=1000405129006 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-GB}} The Mid•Point,{{Cite AV media |url=https://shows.acast.com/the-midpoint-with-gabby-logan-1/episodes/dr-megan-rossi-on-gut-health |title=Dr Megan Rossi on Gut Health {{!}} The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan |date=2023-05-23 |access-date=2025-03-26 |via=shows.acast.com}} Slo Mo.{{Cite web |title=Unlocking Gut Health: Expert Tips on Diet, Gut-Brain Connection, and Debunking Food Myths! |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/unlocking-gut-health-expert-tips-on-diet-gut-brain/id1508914142?i=1000663529978 |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-GB}}

• Eat Yourself Healthy: An Easy-to-Digest Guide to Health and Happiness from the Inside Out (Penguin Life, 2019) {{ISBN|978-0241355084}}
• Love Your Gut: Supercharge Your Digestive Health and Transform Your Well-Being from the Inside Out (The Experiment, 2021) {{ISBN|9781615197064}}
• Eat More, Live Well: Enjoy Your Favourite Food and Boost Your Gut Health with The Diversity Diet (Penguin Life, 2021) {{ISBN|978-0241480465}}
• How to Eat More Plants: Transform Your Health With 30 Plant-Based Foods Per Week (And Why It’s Easier Than You Think) (The Experiment, 2022) {{ISBN|978-1615198788}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.theguthealthdoctor.com/clinic The Gut Health Clinic]

{{Plant-based diets}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rossi, Megan}}

Category:1988 births

Category:British health and wellness writers

Category:British nutritionists

Category:British medical writers

Category:Dietitians

Category:Fellows of King's College London

Category:Living people

Category:People from Cairns

Category:Plant-based cookbook writers

Category:Plant-based diet advocates

Category:Queensland University of Technology alumni

Category:The Daily Telegraph people

Category:The Guardian people

Category:University of Queensland Mayne Medical School alumni