Culinary Health Education Fundamentals (CHEF) Coaching—The Basics

Culinary Health Education Fundamentals (CHEF) Coaching—The Basics

Most clinicians grapple with the challenge of enabling patients to be drivers of their own wellness regimen. Nutrition is a vital part of Lifestyle Medicine, which not only prevents disease, but is integral to the treatment, management (and reversal) of many noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, many cancers including breast and colon, as well as depression, anxiety, osteoarthritis, and sexual health issues. This culinary medicine course offers a deep dive into culinary coaching, an evidence-based telemedicine strategy that combines culinary training with health and wellness coaching to improve nutrition. Attendees receive the latest updates of the culinary coaching approach and acquire new skills, tools, and resources to empower patients to adopt sustainable and nutritious home-cooking behaviors. The economics of health care reform increasingly pressure clinicians to promote healthy nutrition. This course provides education and experience that will keep clinicians at the forefront of this critical global trend, leading by example to improve and increase healthy eating for patients and themselves.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

Discuss the relationship between home cooking and health Explain the rationale for the importance of patients’ culinary behaviors Summarize common barriers to home cooking, and explore alternative cooking skills to help address those barriers Identify strategies to facilitate cooking for improved personal health

Target Audience

This course is targeted to Specialty and Primary Care Physicians, Pharmacists, Physician Assistants, Psychologists, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Health and Wellness Coaches, Dietitians Physical Therapists, Social Workers, Exercise Physiologists, Occupational Therapists, Residents, Fellows, and Personal Trainers.

CHEF Coaching—Beyond the Basics

If you are looking to further your Culinary Medicine skills and receive the Certificate of Completion in Culinary Coaching from the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, check out CHEF Coaching—Beyond the Basics! Graduates of this course are eligible to participate in the second part of the two-part CHEF Coaching program, CHEF Coaching—Beyond the Basics, which is comprised of five weekly 75-minute educational and skills-development sessions. Please visit the site for full details.

Course Directors

Rani Polak, MD, MBA
Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, part-time

Eddie Phillips, MD
Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation