Doctors in training also chefs in training
By Dipali Pathak
Medical students at Baylor College of Medicine are getting a first-hand look at healthy eating – and cooking.
A new cooking elective is enabling second-year students to doff their white coats and put on aprons as they learn not only about what to advise their patients to eat, but also how to cook it. The training is part of a new elective course that was the the brainchild of two of their colleagues Jasdeep Mangat and Amy Cobb, who established the CHEF (Choosing Health, Eating Fresh) organization.
Promoting healthy eating, living
The first goal of the organization was to promote healthy eating and living among second-year medical students.
"Because second-year medical students at BCM are about to enter their clinical training, it's important for them to know about self care. This will also help them when they are counseling patients," said Mangat.
Mangat's regular trips to the Urban Harvest Farmers Market in the Houston area led to his introduction to the executive chef of Ruggles Green, German Mosquera, who does cooking demonstrations at the market. Mosquera agreed to teach a cooking class once a month at BCM for students.
Grant supports class
With a grant through the local chapter of the American Medical Association, they are able to purchase the supplies and groceries needed for the class. Each month, the student lounge at BCM is transformed into a kitchen with tables full of vegetables, spices, pots, pans and even portable gas stoves.
Each class begins with a lesson from a BCM faculty member, with topics ranging from cardiovascular disease to diabetes.
Mosquera tries to use as many organic, plant based ingredients as possible and teaches students recipes specific to the topic the faculty member addresses on that day.
"This is a unique opportunity for me," said Mosquera. "There is a true nutrition aspect behind each recipe and everyone can get what he or she wants out of the class."
Set an example
Dr. Mary Brandt, associate dean of student affairs, said learning to cook is important for students – for more than one reason.
"It's an important skill to have during the stressful time of residency and beyond. In addition, it makes it much easier to counsel patients on nutrition and healthy eating. If you don't eat well yourself, it's hard to convince a patient to do otherwise," Brandt said.
The next goal for the organization is to establish farmers markets at Harris County Hospital District clinics around the city to provide patients access to fresh, healthy foods.
"In the Houston area, we have something called food deserts, where there is no access to grocery stores for people to get fresh foods, so we want to bring the food to our patients where they can easily access it," said Mangat. "We also hope that health care professionals in the clinics can set an example by purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables from the markets as well."
