Hi! I’m Dr. Rikin Patel, a pediatrician with an expertise in lifestyle medicine. I hold a certificate in plant-based nutrition and am passionate about harnessing the power of a whole-food, plant-based diet, coupled with regular physical activity, meditation, positive social connections, and restorative sleep to treat and prevent chronic diseases in children.

I was born in Waterloo, Canada and grew up eating a conventional North American diet packed with dairy, meats, and processed foods. My plant-based journey began in 2005, while pursuing my Master’s degree at the London School of Economics. A group of friends encouraged me to experiment with cutting my meat intake for ethical and environmental reasons and I never looked back. 

My switch to a plant-based lifestyle boosted my energy levels, athletic performance, and practice of Shaolin Kung-Fu. I continue to teach at the Waterloo Kung Fu Academy, the school at which I started learning at age 7. 

Having experienced the transformative impact of yoga and meditation to manage my stress levels throughout medical school and residency, I am an advocate for meditation as an intervention to boost childrens’ stress resilience and travelled to India to become a certified yoga teacher in 2019 (RYT200). 

I’ve worked with many children and families over the last ten years and a lifestyle medicine approach has been effective to help children develop healthy habits, manage weight, improve focus, mood and anxiety, reduce asthma flares, stabilize blood pressure and cholesterol levels, eliminate headaches and abdominal pain (to name a few). 

Along with my talented team, I am confident that we can help children unlock their best health. 

I look forward to working with your child / family / organization!