What we eat, and how we eat it, is a fundamental part of what makes us human. Food is deeply ingrained in every global culture, helping us mark special occasions and provide comfort in times of need.

Dr. Colin Zhu joins us to discuss Food as Medicine. We know that there is very little nutritional training as part of most medical schools, so Dr. Zhu got curious and trained as a chef and a health coach at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health & Culinary Arts and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. He tells us that the concept of culinary medicine “is blending the art of food with the science of nutrition.” How do we apply this theory? Why is it important? How does it affect human health? Dr. Zhu shares remarkable information on this topic in today’s podcast.

Please check out this 20 minute interview with Colin Zhu, DO, Locum Tenens physician, chef, and health guru. Colin discusses his brand, “thechefdoc.” He is also certified as a coach and board-certified in lifestyle medicine and has a podcast. Colin helps people understand more about their bodies and achieve wellness. He recently launched a masterclass series available at thr5 medicine.

Join a brief interview with Dr. Colin Zhu, the ChefDoc. We talk about nutrition, cooking, thriving and more. How did he develop his passion for health and the kitchen? What can we learn and apply today for our well-being?

As chronic illnesses increasingly affect more Americans’ health, the link between dietary habits and disease prevention is taking on a larger role in medical schools and physician practices across the country.

New York City’s Natural Gourmet Institute has a policy of openness, and their forward-thinking food values attract a diverse range of students, fostering a community that, as CEO Jonathan Cetnarski puts it, “is very synergistic with the LGBTQ community at large.” Below, we spoke with two alums about their careers, and how a “health-supportive” culinary education has enhanced the work that they do.

On March 11, 2013, Dr. Rob organized another “Fare Share” cooking event with the medical resident doctors from Lenox Hill Hospital at the Natural Gourmet Institute (NGI) in NYC. The goal was to teach medical residents how to cook a healthy vegetarian meal for themselves, and hopefully pass these skills onto their patients.

“Alignment” can be defined as an “integration or harmonization of aims.” I use the term here more specifically to describe an interconnection of events that could not have happened to me otherwise, if I was not honest, open, aware and – most importantly – authentic with myself.

On October 15, Natural Gourmet Institute had the privilege to host Dr. Robert Graham, his wife Julie Graham (a certified holistic health coach), and 13 residents from New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital for a special, hands-on evening of healthy vegetarian cooking.

Our Chef’s Training grad Colin Zhu was kind enough to report to us on NGI’s recent collaboration to teach a nutrition class with NY Coalition for Health School Food at PS 184 in Chinatown.