The Culinary Medicine Elective teaches UCI medical students hands-on, practical healthy cooking skills paired with evidence-informed whole food nutritional concepts that will be applicable to their own health, as well as to many future patients they will see with diet-related illness. Lectures, readings and case studies examine the significant role that food choices and nutrition play in preventing and managing several common chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension.
Goals
- The Culinary Medicine elective teaches students the fundamentals of the biochemistry of food and cooking, how it affects their health as well as the health of their patients.
- The elective examines the effects of nutrition on both healthy patients and those with diet-related illnesses.
- The elective teaches medical students how to appropriately interview patients who have diet-related illnesses by identifying the barriers that prevent them from a healthier lifestyle and providing assistance with advice that can be applied to their diet.
- Medical students work in groups with each other and with other health professionals such as nutritionists, nurse practitioners and physicians. By working in such a setting, medical students learn how to approach the treatment and prevention of diet-related illnesses with creativity and teamwork.
Curriculum at a Glance
In addition to examining principles of the Mediterranean diet and the anti-inflammatory diet, learners get hands-on cooking instruction from a chef and/or culinarian with a focus on making healthy and delicious culturally appropriate dishes, using efficient food preparation techniques, and helping patients make practical changes to eating and shopping habits. With guidance from a health coach, students explore Mindful Eating concepts.
Application Process
UCI medical students in their first and second years may apply via an online application in fall (September-December) or spring (January-March). Student ambassadors from the Culinary Medicine Steering Committee are available to share information about the course and their experiences.
Core Faculty
- Physicians:
- Nimisha K. Parekh, MD, MPH, FACG, AGAF, Clinical Professor of Medicine (Specialty Gastroenterology), Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program
- Alex Kipp, MD, MALS, FAAFP, Dip ABOIM, Assistant Clinical Professor, Dept. of Family Medicine, Director, UCI Family Medicine Residency Integrative Medicine Track
- Culinarian:
- Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo, Director of Culinary Education, Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
- Dietitians:
- Karen Lindsay, PhD, RD, Dietitian, Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
- Sherry Schulman, RDN, MBA, Dietitian, Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
Watch a testimonial on Culinary Medicine here:
