Culinary Medicine: Paving the Way to Health Through Our Forks

Abstract

Recent findings reveal that suboptimal diet is responsible for more deaths than any other risk factor nationally and globally. It is estimated that with improving eating behaviors, 1 in 5 deaths can be prevented, underscoring the urgent need for effective dietary interventions.

Impact of an Interactive Health Corner Using the Culinary Education Approach in Promoting Long-Term Dietary Changes among Patients Who Seek Public Primary Care Services

“…The aim of the intervention was to guide people in acquiring basic cooking skills to prepare simple, tasty, and low-cost meals at home and to increase their nutritional knowledge and acceptance to adopt healthier food choices. The intervention programme was designed based on the social cognitive theory [ 32 ] and the culinary education approach [ 20 ]. Based on the social cognitive theory, this was achieved through three constructs, starting with nutrition education where the construct of behavioural capability was applied to equip participants with the knowledge and skill on healthy eating.…”

“…In fact, the culinary education approach is an emerging evidence-based discipline that aims to improve eating behaviours through integrating nutritional science with food preparation. The intention is to help create positive behaviour change by not just providing knowledge but by teaching specific skills that may aid in creating lasting change [ 20 ]. While this approach has been utilised to promote healthy eating in public venues such as community cafes, this has yet to be applied in the primary care clinic setting [ 20 ].…”

“…The intention is to help create positive behaviour change by not just providing knowledge but by teaching specific skills that may aid in creating lasting change [ 20 ]. While this approach has been utilised to promote healthy eating in public venues such as community cafes, this has yet to be applied in the primary care clinic setting [ 20 ].…”

Home Meal Preparation: A Powerful Medical Intervention

“…A dietary pattern that is mostly plant based, and includes lots of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds has the greatest health benefits. 7 Dietary patterns that are composed of whole foods that are mostly plant based, such as the Mediterranean dietary pattern, 8 have been shown in both large population studies and randomized clinical trials to reduce risk of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, certain cancers (specifically colon, breast, and prostate cancer), depression, and in older adults, improved mental and physical function.…”

Health Coaching as an Intervention for Picky Eaters

“…In the case of picky eating, it is recommended that coaching focus on 2 aspects of diet and nutrition: the range of foods the patient may be prepared to try and the use of culinary medicine-the skills of preparing and cooking food. Culinary medicine is described elsewhere 29,30 and is not specifically detailed here. This systems focused approach on person and environment ensures that the patient as well as the systems in which the patient operates are coached.…”