New Open-Source Program from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Integrates Culinary Skills and Nutrition Education into Healthcare

New Open-Source Culinary Medicine Program Enhances Nutrition Education in Healthcare

Dr. Michelle Hauser of Stanford University School of Medicine spearheads an innovative program designed to integrate cooking skills and nutrition education into clinical practice.

The recently launched Culinary Medicine Program (CMP), introduced by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at bridging the longstanding gap in nutrition education for healthcare providers. The program offers nearly 15 hours of self-paced, video-based instruction that not only equips clinicians with essential culinary skills but also empowers individuals to improve their nutritional habits independently.

At the helm of this initiative is Dr. Michelle Hauser, a clinical associate professor and the obesity medicine director at Stanford University School of Medicine. Her impressive credentials include a medical degree from Harvard, and she is a respected figure in the field of culinary medicine education. Dr. Hauser’s mission is to translate complex nutritional science into practical cooking skills, allowing healthcare practitioners to guide their patients from mere advice to actionable health transformations.

“Culinary medicine is about making nutrition science accessible in everyday life,” Dr. Hauser explains. “By equipping healthcare professionals with both knowledge and hands-on cooking skills, we can foster real health change.”

The CMP includes 115 individual video lessons that focus on various topics—ranging from basic knife skills to mastering plant-based recipes and preparing healthier comfort foods. These resources are available for clinicians to utilize in teaching patients or for individuals eager to enhance their cooking skills and nutritional knowledge.

Alongside the CMP, an updated version of the Culinary Medicine Curriculum (CMC) has also been released. The second edition provides an instructor’s guide, recipes, shopping lists, and equipment checklists tailored for teaching, which can be utilized in medical schools, residency programs, and community kitchens. This comprehensive curriculum addresses essential nutrition education and patient engagement skills often overlooked in traditional medical training. The first edition has proven its impact, being utilized in over 100 countries and downloaded more than 13,000 times since its launch in 2019.

“Our aim was to develop resources that are practical, flexible, and inspiring,” Dr. Hauser stated. She emphasizes that accessibility is crucial in culinary medicine, ensuring healthy eating remains uncomplicated and attainable for everyone—from seasoned medical professionals to home cooks. “Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive,” she insists.

The launch of the Culinary Medicine Program and Curriculum is particularly timely, coinciding with increasing national focus on the necessity of nutrition education in medical training. Recent directives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have called for revisions in medical education to enhance the nutritional competencies of healthcare providers.

“What sets the Culinary Medicine Program and Curriculum apart is their unique ability to merge the joy of cooking with the aim of enhancing health,” Dr. Hauser notes. By combining fundamental culinary techniques with evidence-based guidance, the program presents both clinicians and patients the essential tools to instigate health transformation through wholesome, enjoyable food options.

For those eager to be part of this culinary revolution, the resources provided by ACLM not only promote healthier eating habits but also foster a deeper understanding of nutrition’s role in overall health. The Culinary Medicine Program paves the way for a more health-conscious future, resonating with anyone who values the connection between food and well-being.

About ACLM®

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) is committed to advancing the field of lifestyle medicine as a crucial foundation for a transformed healthcare system. Frankly addressing the root cause of chronic disease, ACLM advocates for, trains, and certifies healthcare professionals to tackle modifiable risk factors, making a significant impact on public health. Since its founding in 2004, ACLM has provided over 1.2 million hours of lifestyle medicine education to healthcare professionals, while also driving research, clinical practice, and reimbursement strategies.