I’m a busy veterinary surgeon and competitive CrossFit athlete. I use food as medicine, and I research nutrition for funsies. So when DNA landed in our clinic morning-tea room, there was really only one option: the team was testing it.
Day 1: The tub sat there looking at me. Glass. Scoop. Teaspoon. Green powder that magically turns reddish when mixed. No time to create a botanical masterpiece; I have patients trying to die. This was the express version. Fast. Efficient. Drinkable.
Day 2: More time. DNA blended with yoghurt. Green became reddish and… actually quite yummy.
Day 3: DNA mixed into cold protein yoghurt. The whole team agreed.
Day 4: DNA + hot water. Yeah… not ideal. Back to the laboratory.
Day 5: Cold protein yoghurt + DNA + strawberry probiotic + strawberries + granola. EPIC WIN. So delicious I’m no longer reaching for coffee at morning tea.
Day 6: DNA + hot water + strawberry probiotic. Plot twist: absolutely delicious. Another win.
The verdict
DNA has become our daily greens and reds.
There’s no debate about taking it; we all know why we want more plant-based nutrition in our day. The challenge in a busy veterinary hospital is actually making it happen.
There is no time between consults, surgery and emergencies to chop fruit, blend smoothies and construct an Instagram-worthy nutritional masterpiece.
Some days nutrition needs to be fast and dirty: scoop, mix, drink, go save the next patient.
Other days we get creative: berries, protein yoghurt, probiotics and granola.
And perhaps the greatest achievement of all?
As a team, we have now banned the chocolate Afghans from morning tea.
Instead, we’re genuinely looking forward to inventing new ways to have our DNA.
Easy to use. Easy to adapt. Fits into real life.
And apparently capable of achieving the previously impossible:
Getting a veterinary team excited about greens instead of biscuits.
Dr Heidi Ward-McGrath
Veterinary Surgeon | Athlete
HYROX • CrossFit • Olympic Weightlifting
Veterinary Surgeon | Athlete
HYROX • CrossFit • Olympic Weightlifting
