I was interviewed last week by Oxygen Magazine about the New York Times coverage of nutrition in medical school (or rather, the declining hours given in U.S. medical schools to the subject: full scientific article here.)
The questions were very good, and so I thought I’d offer my answers to you too.
1. How important is food in preventing disease?
Food is the most powerful clinical intervention against chronic disease doctors have. We should be able to write recipes on prescription slips, just like prescription medication. And every doctor should know how.
2. Should people ask their doctor how they feel about nutrition? If so, what kind of question(s) should they ask?
a. What should I eat for my (specific condition)? {By specific, I mean fill-in-the-blank: high blood pressure, diabetes, gout, arthritis, depression, optimal health}
b. Where can I learn about what to eat for my (specific condition)?
c. Where can I find easy, healthy recipes for my general health by someone you trust?
and more generally
d. Do you think nutrition and what I eat are important for my (specific condition)?
If you get a “No” or “I doubt it” to question d, ask “Why”? There might be a good reason. But if there isn’t, consider looking for a doctor who says “Yes, I do.”