Envisioning a healthy future: a pilot of a culinary curriculum for medical students

Authors

  • Sussan Askari Queen's University
  • Jennifer Turnidge Queens University
  • Nancy Dalgarno Queen’s University
  • Boris Zevin Queen’s University
  • Rani Polak Harvard Medical School

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/t60jtp03

Abstract

Implication statement

In a healthcare system increasingly burdened by non-communicable diseases, there is an onus on the medical profession to educate patients on healthy eating and lifestyle changes. To provide future physicians with the knowledge and skills required for clinical care, educational programs on nutrition and lifestyle changes are needed. We explored learner and facilitator experiences in a culinary medicine program for undergraduate medical students using a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative and quantitative data indicated improvements in learners’ confidence and attitudes. Lessons learned from our experience will be valuable for educators who are interested in integrating culinary medicine education into medical education curriculum. 

Author Biographies

  • Sussan Askari, Queen's University

    Sussan Askari, MD, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Providence Care Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada

  • Jennifer Turnidge, Queens University

    Jennifer Turnnidge, PhD, Office of Professional Development and Educational Scholarship, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

  • Nancy Dalgarno, Queen’s University

    Nancy Dalgarno, PhD, Office of Professional Development and Educational Scholarship, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

  • Boris Zevin, Queen’s University

    Boris Zevin MD, PhD, Department of Surgery, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

     

  • Rani Polak, Harvard Medical School

    Rani Polak, MD, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and Sheba Center of Lifestyle Medicine, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel

References

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Published

2026-10-13

Issue

In Press

Section

You Should Try This

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Sussan Askari, Jennifer Turnidge, Nancy Dalgarno, Boris Zevin, Rani Polak

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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Authors who publish in the Canadian Medical Education Journal agree to release their articles under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 Canada Licence. This licence allows anyone to copy and distribute the article for non-commercial purposes provided that appropriate attribution is given. For details of the rights an author grants users of their work, please see the licence summary and the full licence.

How to Cite

1.
Askari S, Turnidge J, Dalgarno N, Zevin B, Polak R. Envisioning a healthy future: a pilot of a culinary curriculum for medical students. Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 13 [cited 2026 Oct. 22];. Available from: https://cmej.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/82260
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