Brain fog, bloating and digestive issues were just some of the reasons why Holly White decided to go vegan.

The broadcaster and journalist said while she was brought up on a 'traditional' diet, it just didn't suit her body.

Her book Vegan-ish includes over 100 plant-based recipes she has created, as well as practical advice on when and how to change your diet.

She told The Pat Kenny Show she had to look for alternatives.

"I would have grown up where culturally there was a huge emphasis on junk food, fast food and I had to be honest with myself," she said.

"At a certain point in my life I had to go, 'Actually that doesn't agree with me at all'.

"A lot of my teens and 20s would have involved meeting up with friends outside certain fast food restaurants and I'd come home feeling absolutely terrible.

"It was only when I turned 32 that I started to look into the connection with environmental and animal agriculture and the connection there - and my personal health.

"I became vegan and, if I'm honest, felt like I gained a new lease of life".

Pat Kenny and Holly White on The Pat Kenny Show at The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, 3-5-24. Image: Newstalk

Ms White said her body was giving her signs to change her diet.

"I would have had a lot of symptoms such as brain fog, a lot of bloating issues, digestive issues," she said.

"I just didn't feel well eating what was a very typical diet.

"I had that very traditional [approach] of, 'This is what's good, you need meat and two veg'".

Ms White said she found becoming vegan initially quite isolating.

"I was a student in Trinity College and college is a time where you're essentially making new connections," she said.

"I remember sitting [and] eating cucumber sandwiches alone, bored with no one to connect with - and I gave up very quickly.

"Whereas thankfully now there are many more resources available to people if they choose this way of life".

'People might dable'

Ms White said veganism is something people can dip in and out of.

"I think the most important thing is not everyone wants to identify as 'vegan'," she said.

"Some people might dable - like a meat-free Monday.

"I think whether it is reducing budget, personal health reasons or environmental reasons ideally it is nice to not think that every meal should constitute around having meat as a centrepiece".

Ms White will take to the stage at Wellfest next Sunday at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin.

Main image: Holly White. Image: Instagram/hollywhite.ie