News and briefs: Physicians learn healthy habits for patients

Physicians are heading back to school to learn a new skill: cooking healthy meals. In an effort to promote healthy living, some medical schools offer cooking schools for physicians. In an article on American Medical News, Barbara Olendzki, RD, MPH, assistant professor and director of nutrition at UMass Medical School, said the goal is to teach physicians how to cook healthy meals that are also full of flavor, with the hope they will pass this knowledge along to their patients. UMass Medical School is one of the institutions offering these classes.  

"One of the biggest barriers we have is taste, and physicians are no exception," Olendzki said. "When physicians are recommending a dietary change to a patient, often it is seen as something that is depriving. Rather than seeing it as a punishment, we want to get them excited and to see it as an opportunity."

To read more about these classes, click here.