Nutritional chef Mikaela Reuben has inspired stars such as Woody Harrelson and Blake Lively to make fruits and vegetables the focal point of their meals. With her newest cookbook, you can explore the joy of plant-based cooking at home to boost your family’s well-being.
Sowing the Inspiration
From an early age, Reuben has viewed food as a magical process. “I was fascinated by the transformation that happened when you put something in the oven,” she explains.
As a teenager, her perspective on food was profoundly shaped by her father’s dietary changes following a heart attack, as she observed how “he truly used food to help heal his body.” This inspired her to delve into kinesiology. While she enjoyed exploring the human body, she felt something was lacking.
“We only learned about food as a source of fuel,” Reuben reflects, “so why aren’t we embracing a more holistic viewpoint on food’s role?”
At a pivotal moment post-graduation, Reuben and a friend commandeered a neighbor’s kitchen to craft recipes for a heart-healthy cookbook in honor of her father. Unfortunately, a mix-up resulted in both the actor neighbor—believed to be out of town—and his personal chef returning early to discover Reuben in an unexpectedly messy kitchen.
Despite her mortification from the mess (admitting she had somehow gotten almond butter everywhere), she recalls the chef sampling her dishes and even serving them to his guests for lunch. An unexpected career opportunity emerged.
Reuben always aspired to merge her passion for food and nutrition, but it was not until her encounter with chef Wayne Forman, who cooked for rock bands and on film sets, that she understood this could be a career path. “I was intrigued,” she remembers.
After spending several years learning under Forman’s guidance, she has established herself as a celebrity chef. Her clientele now includes Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Brie Larson, Olympic athletes, and even the Dalai Lama.
The Strength of Plant-Based Meals
Irrespective of whether she’s preparing meals for Hollywood icons, family, or herself, one constant in Reuben’s cuisine is the prominence of plant ingredients.
“I describe myself as plant-forward because it allows me to create the healthiest versions of meals tailored to the diverse dietary requirements of my clients,” she shares. “Throughout my 15 years as a chef, keeping my offerings plant-focused has consistently resulted in people flourishing, regardless of their individual diet.”
Reuben has just launched her cookbook Eat to Love: Where Health Meets Flavor(Appetite by Random House, 2025), which includes precise nutritional details in each recipe to accommodate various dietary preferences, along with straightforward methods for adding sauces and proteins, making it ideal for both proficient cooks and those looking to experiment.
Reuben aims to demonstrate that healthy, plant-based cuisine can be just as thrilling and delectable as traditional options. “When I present people with a variety of plant-based dishes and highlight the versatility of ingredients, I witness significant changes in their lives,” she observes.
This surge in interest isn’t limited to celebrities; as plant-based diets gain popularity, a study revealed that veganism in America rose by 500% between 2014 and 2018. Additionally, a survey found that 40% of people are trying to cut back on animal proteins. Like her father, many are exploring the health benefits of plants, such as reduced risks for diabetes, heart conditions, and cancer.
While discussing the numerous advantages of plant consumption might encourage some reluctant adult eaters, Reuben acknowledges a challenging reality—getting children to embrace vegetables.
The Challenge of Family Meals
When it comes to providing well-rounded meals, parents know how challenging it can be. Convincing kids to eat a range of foods, particularly vegetables, often feels like an uphill battle, turning dinner into a struggle rather than a time for family bonding.
Having catered to numerous families, Reuben has a relatable perspective on the parenting challenges faced at meal times. “Cooking for your kids makes you a hero,” she states. “Managing children is a lot to juggle, and if you’re managing to feed them well, that’s commendable.”
The tussle between kids and vegetables is a longstanding issue. Research from the CDC shows that approximately 60% of children do not meet their daily fruit intake, while 93% fall short on vegetables. While it may be tempting to yield to avoid mealtime crises, it is crucial for parents to motivate kids to enjoy their greens.
Evidence suggests that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the chances of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and specific cancers in children. Essential nutrients provided by these foods, such as fiber, folate, potassium, vitamins A, C, and K, are vital for growth in early childhood and establish a foundation for future health.
Chef’s Insights
Throughout her culinary journey, Reuben has picked up numerous strategies for encouraging children to enjoy their vegetables. She suggests sticking to vegetables with milder flavors. “When cooking for families,” Reuben explains, “I often add steamed zucchini into smoothies, mix spinach into blueberry-based dishes, or incorporate dark beans and avocado into chocolate mousse.”
Experts recommend a hands-on approach, which could include allowing children to take part in selecting and preparing meals, highlighting colorful ingredients, and even giving items playful names.
Reuben has witnessed these methods yielding positive results. “The more colorful the plate, the better!” she expresses. “It’s rare for a child to pick up a whole cauliflower, but if we make cauliflower sushi rice, they get excited. Encourage them to make a mess with it!”
From nutritious dips and crunchy tacos to essential sauces like her ginger tahini concoction, Reuben’s recipes not only nourish the body but also uplift the spirit. This shows that while we may not all be celebrities, every family member can still dine like one.
This article originally appeared in the September 2025 edition of up7op magazine.
