Beth Motley MD, FACLM

Beth Motley MD, FACLM Family Medicine/Lifestyle Medicine MD
Plant-based diets & deprescribing
Longevity & chronic disease prevention
Wife & mother of 5 Health & Wellness Website

Sent to me by a colleague:“Quick case of a normal-weight, active, middle-aged man who was duped into the carnivore diet ...
01/26/2026

Sent to me by a colleague:

“Quick case of a normal-weight, active, middle-aged man who was duped into the carnivore diet by his social media algorithm for the past two years.”

What happened?
- A1c climbed from 7.2 → 8.0 → 11.2 (out of control diabetes)
- Triglycerides exploded to 956 (a measure of fat in the blood, normal

Every year or two, I get to “treat myself” to exactly one sugary drink.This is it! This 50-gram glucose drink is used to...
01/24/2026

Every year or two, I get to “treat myself” to exactly one sugary drink.

This is it!

This 50-gram glucose drink is used to screen for gestational diabetes, which is really a test of metabolic health during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a time of normal insulin resistance.
Why? Because placental hormones intentionally make mom’s tissues a little less responsive to insulin so more glucose stays in the bloodstream and is available for the growing baby.

Most bodies adapt by increasing insulin production.

But when the system is already strained… low fiber intake, high saturated fat intake, minimal movement, poor sleep, chronic stress… the pancreas may not be able to keep up.

From a Lifestyle Medicine lens, gestational diabetes is often an early warning sign, not a personal failure. Pre-existing insulin resistance may be unmasked. A metabolism already under pressure before pregnancy becomes apparent.

And we know gestational diabetes means a higher lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease for both mom and child.

This is why lifestyle matters before, during, and after pregnancy.

High-fiber, plant-predominant eating improves insulin sensitivity. 🥗

Regular movement helps muscles clear glucose (no gym required). 🚶‍♀️

Sleep and stress regulation directly affect blood sugar control. 😴

The goal of screening is early identification, so we can intervene upstream, often without medication.

What flavor would you choose?
🍋 Lemon/lime
🍓 Fruit punch
🍊 Orange

- Dr. Beth

Wow, I’m surprised they didn’t put these in the produce aisle! 🥦 🍫Just a reminder that the term “plant-based” is now a p...
01/23/2026

Wow, I’m surprised they didn’t put these in the produce aisle! 🥦 🍫

Just a reminder that the term “plant-based” is now a popular marketing term.

Whether the ingredients come from plant or animal sources, ultra-processed candy is still ultra-processed candy.

Don't let the label fool you!

Have you seen any other atrocious misuse of the “plant-based” term? Where?

Storm Prep Underway! ❄️🍌After living through Helene and losing power for 12 days with five kids (ages 0, 1, 2, 4, and 10...
01/23/2026

Storm Prep Underway! ❄️🍌

After living through Helene and losing power for 12 days with five kids (ages 0, 1, 2, 4, and 10), and not to mention a massive tree landing on our house, I am not taking any chances with this upcoming ice storm!

Today and tomorrow we will be baking and meal prepping!

This Spelt Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts from Forks Over Knives is a go-to. It’s hearty, healthy, and kid-approved!

Simple Spelt Banana Bread
Makes 1 large loaf

Ingredients:

Wet stuff: 1½ cups mashed ripe banana, ¾ cup pitted dates, ¾ cup almond milk, ¼ cup applesauce, 2 tsp vanilla.

Dry stuff: 1 cup spelt flour, 1 cup brown rice flour, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt.

And the crunch: ½ cup chopped walnuts (toasted).

Quick Steps:
1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line your loaf pan.
2. Blend: Put all the "Wet Stuff" in a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Mix: In a bowl, whisk the "Dry Stuff" together. Pour the blender mix into the bowl and stir.
4. Fold: Fold in most of the walnuts.
5. Bake: Pour into pan, sprinkle remaining walnuts on top. Bake 55 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Full recipe: https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/vegan-desserts/spelt-banana-bread-with-toasted-walnuts/

Stay safe and warm everyone! 🧊🔥

This week‘s superstar. He is down 120 pounds simply by using a plant-based diet. He’s noticed how much easier it is to l...
01/22/2026

This week‘s superstar. He is down 120 pounds simply by using a plant-based diet. He’s noticed how much easier it is to live life without all that extra weight.

As the weight has come down, so has his blood pressure. We’re actively weaning his BP medication (not off yet, but moving in the right direction).

No weight-loss medications here… not because they’re “bad,” but because this was his choice. I’m firmly pro-choice when it comes to primary care. My role is to present all options, explain the risks and benefits, and support informed decision-making. The individual chooses the path.

I’m glad he chose my favorite one! 😊
Lifestyle change.

It’s free, sustainable, and comes with benefits far beyond the scale, including cardiovascular health, metabolic health, and long-term vitality.

What’s one thing that already feels easier as you’ve gotten healthier?

Funny how we only talk about "moderation" when it comes to cookies and pizza, right? 🍕🍪You never hear anyone say, "Caref...
01/21/2026

Funny how we only talk about "moderation" when it comes to cookies and pizza, right? 🍕🍪

You never hear anyone say, "Careful with that cauliflower, you need to eat it in moderation!"

We use the phrase to protect the habits we aren't ready to give up.

If reality, if you are making exceptions every single day, you aren’t moderating… you’re maintaining the status quo. To see real progress, we have to stop using balance as a mask for staying stuck.

Which side are you on?

“Everything in moderation” is…
A. Reasonable guidance
B. A defense mechanism for old habits

Maybe I should’ve let you vote before I revealed my own thoughts! 💭

Lunchbox packed! Double decker PB&J (his idea)- Smash brand jelly- Kirkland PB- Dave’s bread No meat? No beans? Where’s ...
01/20/2026

Lunchbox packed!

Double decker PB&J (his idea)
- Smash brand jelly
- Kirkland PB
- Dave’s bread

No meat? No beans? Where’s the protein?

🥪 Dave’s Killer Bread (3 slices) → 18 g protein

🥜 Peanut butter (2 Tbsp) → 8 g

🌰 Mixed nuts (1/4 cup) → ~5 g

🥭 Dried mango, 🥕 Carrot + celery sticks, 🍅 Grape tomatoes, 🍇 Grapes → ~1–2 g combined

Total protein: ~32–34 grams

For context, a 44-lb child needs roughly 20–22 g of protein per day.

This single meal meets exceeds daily protein needs without protein powders, bars, or shakes.

And yes he will eat it all!

Eat real food!

- Dr. Beth

What do varicose veins have to do with constipation? A lot!Straining on the toilet increases pressure in your abdomen, a...
01/20/2026

What do varicose veins have to do with constipation? A lot!

Straining on the toilet increases pressure in your abdomen, and that pressure backs up into your leg veins. Over time, it weakens the valves that are supposed to keep blood flowing up toward your heart.

That’s why people with chronic constipation often also have varicose veins (and sometimes hemorrhoids too… same mechanism).

So how do we fix the root cause? With lifestyle medicine!

Fiber is your friend. A high-fiber, plant-based diet keeps things moving, reducing straining and internal pressure.

Hydration helps... water softens stool. No more rabbit pellets.

Move your body. Walking and strength training support healthy circulation.

Aim for a normal body weight (not always so simple, I know!). Less abdominal pressure means less venous backflow.

Ditch the ni****ne. Smoking weakens vessel walls and valves.

Compression socks may help the symptoms. But lifestyle addresses the cause.

Have you made any lifestyle changes that have improved your digestion?

Dinner tonight. 😋 Bean and vegetable soup, grapes, pumpkin seeds, and 100% whole wheat sourdough. When it comes to feedi...
01/18/2026

Dinner tonight. 😋 Bean and vegetable soup, grapes, pumpkin seeds, and 100% whole wheat sourdough.

When it comes to feeding kids, protein is often the nutrient parents worry about most.

I hear it all the time. “Should I be adding more”… “Don’t kids need a lot for growth?”

So let’s take a look at the math. My 4 littles currently range from 27 to 44 pounds, so here are their total protein needs for an entire DAY:

Protein needs for children (RDA):
0.95 grams per kilogram per day

27-lb child (12.3 kg)
12.3 × 0.95 = 12 g protein/day

44-lb child (20 kg)
20 × 0.95 = 19 g protein/day

That’s it. Not per meal, not per snack…. For the whole day.

People are always surprised how much protein you can get from whole plant foods. Here’s the calculation for these meals:

Protein: 13–14 grams
Fiber: 12–13 grams

So in a single meal, my kids are getting most (or all) of their daily protein needs and a huge amount of fiber, which is where most kids fall short

And fiber matters for gut health, blood sugar regulation, satiety, and long-term metabolic health.

Most kids are not protein deficient. They’re fiber deficient… because protein gets all the attention.

Whole plant foods don’t just provide enough protein. They deliver it alongside fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that growing bodies need.

👧🏼👦🏽👦🏼👧🏼👶🏽

Reading time with my little lady.A special afternoon doesn’t require ice cream or a Starbuck run. Whole wheat bread, lim...
01/18/2026

Reading time with my little lady.

A special afternoon doesn’t require ice cream or a Starbuck run.

Whole wheat bread, lime Spindrift, and undivided attention… because the habits we normalize early are the ones that stick.

The easiest way to get your family to eat more veggies is simply to make them available and make them attractive!We are ...
01/18/2026

The easiest way to get your family to eat more veggies is simply to make them available and make them attractive!

We are already well past breakfast over here. While they are eating, I’m usually busy chopping veggies and putting them out.

Already made a few sales before 9 AM!

Address

15 Park Creek Drive
Greenville, SC
29605

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18642717761

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ABOUT

I am a Family Medicine/Lifestyle Medicine physician with Greenville Health System in Greenville, SC. Originally from Acton, MA, I was a figure skater growing up, and became interested in nutrition as a means of optimizing performance. I then moved on to study biomedical engineering at University of Virginia. It wasn’t until my medical training that I made nutrition my main focus, and dedicated my elective time to working with various Lifestyle Medicine doctors around the U.S., including John McDougall MD, Neal Barnard MD, Ron Weiss MD, and Caldwell Esselstyn MD. After these experiences, I had no doubt that Lifestyle Medicine is the key to addressing our chronic disease. I thought I was giving up engineering when I switched to medicine, but in fact, Lifestyle Medicine is engineering. We are reframing the question. Rather than asking “how do we treat the symptoms?”, we must ask why the disease state developed in the first place, our root cause analysis. I am a clinical assistant professor at USC School of Medicine Greenville, a leader of the Lifestyle Medicine Education Collaborative, and an active member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

WHAT IS LIFESTYLE MEDICINE? Lifestyle Medicine is the medical subspecialty focused on using lifestyle modalities to prevent and reverse chronic disease. Why, today, is healthcare so focused on "controlling" disease and treating symptoms, rather than addressing the root cause of disease, and reversing the process entirely? Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are all prime examples. Lifestyle changes - in particular, a move to a more plant-based diet - are far more powerful than any pharmacotherapy for managing chronic disease and ensuring long term health. We don't "need more research"; we need to start applying what we already know to our communities.

WHAT IS A WHOLE FOODS PLANT-BASED DIET? “Whole foods” means unprocessed or minimally processed foods, as they exist in nature, i.e. single-ingredient foods. Strict individuals will avoid added salt, sugar, and oil as well.

“Plant-based” in its broadest interpretation means >95% of calories coming from plant-based foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. However, most individuals who follow a plant-based diet aim for 100% in order to maximize potential health benefits.