For many doctors, food remains a medical mystery. That’s a major problem given the fact that poor diet quality has surpassed smoking to become the leading risk factor for death and disability in the US. In fact, according to Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 70% of US deaths are believed to be linked to chronic diseases related to diet and lifestyle.
The lack of nutrition education in medical school is why doctors don’t know much about it, even if they’d like to. We, as patients, can help through conversations with our doctors about nutrition and the benefits of a plant-based diet.
A survey among physicians published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition finds that 94% of them feel nutrition counseling should be part of primary care visits. However, only 14% feel like they are able to adequately talk about it. Our conversations can help change that.
For tips on how to begin these conversations and how to have them with friends and family who may be skeptical of a plant-based diet, check out the PCRM podcast.
Source: The Exam Room Podcast, May 10, 2019, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, visit www.pcrm.org and enter in search bar: doctors nutrition podcast.
Where to begin? One-on-one Nutritional Counseling with Patricia Becker
– 25 years experience. email Patricia