Frequently Asked Questions About Plant-Based Health Coaching
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About Kurisko & Company
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What is Kurisko & Company?
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Kurisko & Company is an online whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) health and wellness coaching company. We use WFPB nutrition, paired with exercise and fitness, to help adults 45 and older lose weight, ease menopause symptoms, and improve type 2 diabetes and blood sugar. We were founded by Joyce Kurisko and Dr. Lee Kurisko, MD.
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Who are Joyce and Dr. Lee Kurisko?
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Dr. Lee Kurisko is our Medical Director. He is a board-certified radiologist with a neuroradiology fellowship, certified in functional medicine, and has eaten whole-food plant-based for over 7 years. Joyce Kurisko is a Certified Health & Wellness Coach (Cornell) with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. She brings 20+ years of healthcare industry experience. Meet Lee and Joyce.
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Who are your health coaches?
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Our certified health and wellness coaches are trained in whole-food, plant-based nutrition and lifestyle change. They include Traci Becker, PN1; Marty Eckstein; Heather King, CHHP, CFNC; Janice Eckstein; and Ann Marie Iuculano. Each brings a different story and strength, from long-term weight loss and heart health to functional nutrition and eating plant-based on the road. You choose the coach who fits you best. Meet our coaches.
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Who is plant-based coaching for?
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Our coaching is designed for adults 45+ who want to lose weight, lower blood sugar, reduce medications with their doctor's guidance, or simply feel better as they age. You do not need to be vegan or plant-based already. Most of our clients start right where you are.
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Do you coach online or in person?
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Coaching is online, so you can work with us from anywhere. Sessions are 40-minute one-on-one video calls through Doxy.me, a secure telehealth platform that runs in your web browser with nothing to download.
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Do you offer fitness and exercise guidance?
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Yes. Movement is a core part of our approach, alongside plant-based nutrition. Dr. Lee Kurisko, a former competitive bodybuilder, shares fitness and strength videos on our YouTube podcast, Fit at Fifty... Make That Sixty.
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Whole-Food, Plant-Based Eating
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What is a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet?
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A whole-food, plant-based diet is built on minimally processed plants: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds. It limits or avoids animal products, refined sugar, white flour and processed oils. Research links WFPB eating to healthy weight, better blood sugar and lower heart disease risk.
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Is whole-food plant-based the same as vegan?
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No. Vegan describes what you leave out (all animal products), and vegan food can still be highly processed. Whole-food, plant-based describes what you eat: whole, unprocessed plants. Our focus is on health, not labels.
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Do you allow animal products? Do I have to give up meat completely?
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Kurisko & Company is a whole-food, plant-based coaching company, and our programs are plant-forward. We meet you where you are and help you add more whole plant foods step by step. If you enroll in our Diabetes Reset program, we recommend avoiding animal products until your insulin sensitivity improves (see the Diabetes Reset questions below).
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Will I get enough protein on a plant-based diet?
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Yes. Beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, edamame, whole grains, nuts and seeds supply plenty of protein when you eat enough calories from varied whole foods. Your coach helps you build meals that keep you full and strong, including for active adults over 50.
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Do I have to give up oil and salt?
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Not necessarily. For clients focused on weight loss or in our Diabetes Reset program, we recommend no added oil, since oil is very calorie-dense. Otherwise we suggest using a quality olive oil sparingly. For salt, a potassium-based salt substitute is one option to discuss with your doctor, especially if you take blood pressure or kidney medications.
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Is a plant-based diet expensive?
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It can cost less than a standard diet. Beans, lentils, rice, oats, potatoes and frozen vegetables are among the most affordable foods in the grocery store. Your coach can help you plan budget-friendly plant-based meals.
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Diabetes Reset Program
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What is the Diabetes Reset program?
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The Diabetes Reset is our upcoming coached, whole-food plant-based program for adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. It focuses on improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar through food, movement and lifestyle habits, with support from a certified health coach. It is launching soon; in the meantime, our Jumpstart Coaching package is a great way to start.
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Can a plant-based diet help reverse type 2 diabetes?
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For many people, yes. Research shows a low-fat, whole-food, plant-based diet can improve insulin sensitivity, lower A1C and reduce the need for diabetes medication. Some people reach remission. Results vary, and changes to your medication should always be made with your doctor.
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Can I eat meat, dairy or eggs on the Diabetes Reset?
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We are a whole-food, plant-based company. For people in the Diabetes Reset, we recommend no animal products until you achieve better insulin sensitivity. Fat from animal foods can make insulin resistance worse, so a fully plant-based period gives your body the best chance to reset.
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Does that mean I can never eat turkey at Thanksgiving again?
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Not at all. Once your insulin sensitivity improves, you can still enjoy a Thanksgiving turkey or another special meal down the road. It just takes awareness and monitoring, such as checking your blood sugar and watching how your body responds. Your coach will help you plan for holidays and special occasions.
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Do I need to talk to my doctor before starting?
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Yes, please do, especially if you take insulin or other diabetes or blood pressure medication. Blood sugar can drop quickly on a plant-based diet, so your doctor may need to adjust your doses. Our coaching supports your medical care; it does not replace it.
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How soon will I see results?
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Many people see lower blood sugar readings within the first few weeks of whole-food, plant-based eating. Weight loss, energy and A1C improvements follow over the next few months. Your coach helps you track progress along the way.
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Do you offer the Diabetes Reset to employers, clinics or hospitals?
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Yes. We offer the Diabetes Reset, weight-loss and whole-food, plant-based nutrition programs to employers, clinics and hospitals through our corporate wellness program. Call 833-587-4756 or email info@kuriskoandco.com to bring it to your organization.
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Coaching Programs & How They Work
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What coaching programs do you offer?
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We offer three coached programs:
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5-Week Jumpstart: five weekly one-on-one sessions to get started with whole-food, plant-based eating, $595.
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Plant-Based Menopause Program: 8 weeks, 6 coaching sessions, $795.
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Plant Forward: Whole-Food Lifestyle: 16 weeks, 10 one-on-one coaching sessions, $1,150. Weeks 1–5 cover the Jumpstart essentials; Weeks 6–16 add meal planning, cooking skills, strength and balance training with Dr. Lee Kurisko, sleep and stress, holidays and family, and long-term planning.
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Our Diabetes Reset program is coming soon.
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Can I schedule just one-on-one coaching sessions?
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Yes. You can book individual 40-minute Lifestyle Coaching sessions for $125 each, with no program required. Choose your coach and book on our coaching page.
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I finished the 5-Week Jumpstart. Can I keep going?
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Yes. Within 30 days of finishing the Jumpstart, you can continue into Plant Forward: Whole-Food Lifestyle for $555, which includes 5 more one-on-one coaching sessions. You pick up at Week 6 and continue with your coach through Week 16. Your Jumpstart plus the continuation costs the same as signing up for Plant Forward from the start, so you're never penalized for starting small. Ask your coach for the link.
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What's the difference between the Jumpstart and Plant Forward?
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The 5-Week Jumpstart gets you started: kitchen reset, label reading, cooking without added sugar, oil and salt, and go-to meals. Plant Forward is our 16-week program. It includes everything in the Jumpstart, then goes further with meal planning, cooking skills, fitness, sleep and stress, holidays and family, and a personal long-term plan.
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How does the 5-week Jumpstart program work?
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Jumpstart includes five one-on-one coaching sessions of about 40 minutes, normally once a week, with the coach you choose. Between sessions you get limited text support for quick questions, plus 90 days of access to online videos, articles, recipes and quizzes. Sessions cover nutrition, plant-based transitions, metabolic health, movement, sleep and stress. The package is $595.
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How do I choose a coach and book sessions?
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Visit our coaching page, read the coach bios and click Book Me for the coach you like. You pay online and pick your session times on your coach's calendar.
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I'm not in the Central time zone. Can I still book?
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Yes. Our coaches live across the Pacific, Mountain, Central and Eastern time zones. When you book, simply choose your own time zone and the calendar shows times in your local time.
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Do you offer menopause coaching?
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Yes. Our 8-week Plant-Based Menopause Program is for women 45+. It includes 6 one-on-one coaching sessions (weekly for 4 weeks, then weeks 6 and 8), 8 weekly online lessons, The Plant-Based Menopause Guide, symptom check-ins and message support. It targets hot flashes, sleep, energy, mood and weight while protecting bone and heart health. The program is $795.
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Is health coaching covered by insurance or HSA/FSA?
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Health coaching is usually not covered by health insurance. You may be able to use HSA or FSA funds if your doctor recommends our program to treat a diagnosed condition, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure or heart disease. Ask your doctor for a Letter of Medical Necessity, then confirm with your plan administrator and submit it with your receipt.
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Do you offer corporate wellness programs?
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Yes. We custom-build whole-food, plant-based wellness programs to fit your organization's needs and budget, from diabetes and weight-loss programs to nutrition education and one-on-one coaching for employees. Visit our corporate wellness page, call 833-587-4756 or email info@kuriskoandco.com.
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What is your refund policy?
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Program fees are paid in full at enrollment and are nonrefundable once program access begins, because online materials open and coaching time is reserved. For individual sessions, you pay when you book; with at least 24 hours' notice, a session can be rescheduled or refunded.
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What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
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Please give at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule a coaching session. With 24 hours' notice, you can reschedule with no penalty. A late cancellation or no-show gets one courtesy reschedule; after that, missed program sessions are forfeited and missed individual sessions are charged in full. Late arrivals don't extend the session. To reschedule, use your booking confirmation link, email joyce@kuriskoandco.com or call 833-587-4756, ext. 2.
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Is health coaching the same as medical advice?
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No. Coaching is educational and focused on habits and behavior. Our coaches do not diagnose, prescribe or adjust medications, and coaching does not replace your doctor. Keep working with your healthcare providers, and let them make any medication changes.
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Getting Started & Free Resources
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How do I get started with plant-based eating?
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Start with our free Whole-Food, Plant-Based Quick Start Guide, which walks you through simple first steps. When you want personal support, book a free 15-minute call with one of our coaches.
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Can I talk to a coach before I sign up?
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Yes. Book a free 15-minute call with one of our health coaches. You can ask questions, talk about your goals and see whether coaching is the right fit, with no pressure to buy.
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Do you have a newsletter, podcast or YouTube channel?
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Yes. Sign up for the Kurisko & Co newsletter for plant-based tips, recipes and program news. You can also watch our Aspirational Aging and Health & Humanity interviews on YouTube and follow @kuriskoandco on Instagram and Facebook.
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Do you have free plant-based recipes?
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Yes. Our recipe kitchen has free whole-food, plant-based recipes, and our blog covers nutrition, fitness and healthy aging.
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How do I contact Kurisko & Company?
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Call us toll-free at 833-587-4756 or email info@kuriskoandco.com. To schedule or reschedule a coaching session, call ext. 2 or email joyce@kuriskoandco.com. You can also use the contact form on our home page.
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Coaching is educational and does not replace medical advice. Talk with your doctor before changing your diet or medications. See our Liability Waiver.