What to Eat: The Emerging Field of Culinary Medicine

Erick • July 21, 2021
Culinary medicine, a new educational and nutritional approach to improving eating behaviors, focuses on skills such as food shopping, storage and meal preparation. Lifestyle medicine physician Rani Polak will discuss how to blend the joy of cooking with the science of medicine to create a recipe for good health. Speaker: Rani Polak, MD

What is culinary medicine?

Culinary medicine is an evidence-based approach that combines nutrition science with practical cooking skills to help people prevent and manage health conditions through food. Rather than focusing on rigid diets, it teaches you how to shop, prepare and enjoy meals that support your health.

How food choices affect digestion

  • Fiber from vegetables, fruits, beans and whole grains supports regular bowel movements and a healthy gut.
  • Fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut may support gut bacteria.
  • Staying hydrated helps fiber do its job and can ease constipation.
  • Large, fatty or highly processed meals can worsen reflux and bloating in some people.

Simple ways to start

Cook more meals at home, build your plate around vegetables and lean protein, and change one habit at a time. Keeping a food and symptom diary can help you and your care team identify which foods trigger your symptoms.

When to ask for help

If you have ongoing digestive symptoms or want support with weight and nutrition, a personalized plan can make a real difference. Our team includes a bilingual registered dietitian who can work with you in English or Spanish.

This article is for general education and does not replace personalized medical advice.


Need to see a specialist? Gastro SB Clinic in Chula Vista can evaluate and treat this. Learn about medical weight loss program, call (619) 382-3315 or request an appointment.


 

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Gastro SB Clinic offers comprehensive treatment for a wide range of gastrointestinal and nutritional conditions.

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