The health benefits of a nutritious diet are well-established, but just telling people to eat more plant-based foods and less unhealthy fat isn’t enough to reduce the toll of chronic diseases. A growing body of research supports a much more systematic approach, woven into the fabric of healthcare, to leverage the medicinal power of food. Medically tailored meals designed to address specific diagnoses, insurance coverage for nutritious food prescriptions, innovations in food science and culinary education are all tools for improving patient outcomes, reducing hospital use, lowering healthcare costs, and lessening food insecurity—all while increasing patient satisfaction. Learn more: visit Aspen Ideas Health

Check out Food & Society’s Food is Medicine Research Action Plan

The panel featured Pamela Schwartz, Jerome Adams, Tom Adams, and Corby Kummer (moderator).

Photo by Leigh Vogel