Hospitals teaching culinary classes to help patients change diets

Healthcare Innovation & Trends - Culinary medicine classes are emerging nationwide, integrating cooking skills into healthcare for chronic conditions [4][5] - These classes aim to empower patients to manage their health through diet and lifestyle changes [1][2] - The classes are free, removing financial barriers to access [5] Patient Outcomes & Benefits - Patients with chronic conditions like obesity, pre-diabetes, and heart disease have experienced improved health outcomes [2][4] - Benefits include reduced chronic pain, increased physical activity, and improved quality of life [3][6] - Some patients have been able to reduce or eliminate medications [4][9] Implementation & Accessibility - Programs are being implemented at medical centers across the country, including Yale, Boston Medical Center, and others [1][4] - Primary care physicians are encouraged to discuss culinary medicine options with patients [7][8] - Insurance coverage may be available for some programs, but patients should proactively inquire [9]