Food is finally being recognized as an essential part of medicine in institutions and kitchens across the United States. In this episode of Next Level Health, Dr. Melinda Ring welcomes Dr. David Eisenberg, a Harvard-trained physician, pioneer of culinary medicine, and founder of the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative—for an in-depth conversation on the Food is Medicine movement.

Watch on YouTube

https://youtu.be/zATxfxaBbE0

Topics include:

• Dr. Eisenberg’s journey from baker’s son to physician and integrative medicine leader

• The creation of Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives and the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative

• How teaching kitchens are being scaled across hospitals, schools, and workplaces

• The research proving their impact on patient outcomes and lifestyle change

• National policy advances and nutrition competencies for medical education

00:00 – Introduction: Eat, Move, Think Better

00:30 – Welcome to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring

02:00 – Dr. Eisenberg’s personal story: From bakers’ son to doctor

09:00 – Early experiences in China: Acupuncture, tai chi, and culinary lessons

13:30 – Founding Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives

15:40 – The birth of the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative

19:55 – Pilot studies: Teaching kitchens as laboratories for health

25:00 – The COVID pivot: From in-person kitchens to virtual learning

29:20 – Scaling impact: Teaching kitchens as broadcast studios

30:30 – Food is Medicine movement and national policy advances

36:40 – Nutrition competencies for medical education

41:50 – Challenges and future of implementation in medical schools

45:37 – Dr. Eisenberg’s personal wisdom: Teach children to cook

47:41 – Closing reflections and gratitude