Culinary medicine exists at the intersection of the art of cooking and the science of medicine. When we understand the connection between nutrition and health, we are empowered to make better choices that strengthen our bodies and put us on the path to optimal health. Unfortunately, many of us never learned how to cook healthy meals. Packaged foods and Wonder bread were staples in our diets, and we carried those habits into adulthood. At the same time, there's so much conflicting information about what we should and shouldn't eat, making it challenging to figure out which way to go. Today I'm joined by Dr. Melinda Ring, Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Northwestern University, to talk about the power of food as medicine. Melinda is an expert in integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and culinary medicine, and she's spent over two decades witnessing the transformative power of food as medicine. In this conversation, Melinda and I discuss the differences between different fields within preventative medicine, why learning to cook is especially valuable, how to use food as medicine, and why we need to tailor our diets according to our individual health conditions, goals, and genetics. Whether you want to lose weight or improve your health, I highly recommend following Melinda on Instagram and checking out all her available resources. Highlights Dr. RIng's background and journey to integrative medicine The differences between integrative medicine, functional medicine, and lifestyle medicine Defining culinary medicine and how it can help to promote health How to get started with the right diet for you Why Dr. RIng recommends limiting your consumption of red meat and seafood Addressing concerns surrounding nightshades and autoimmunity What you need to know about oxalates The best types of diets for women with PCOS Shifting mindset and addressing cravings for long-term weight management Dr. Ring's experience as a caregiver for her husband Why it's always worth it to focus on prevention How herbalism developed primarily from observing nature The benefits of incorporating fruits into your diet Resources to help you get started Connect with Dr. Melinda Ring Dr. Melinda Ring on Instagram @DrMelindaRing https://www.instagram.com/drmelindaring/ DrMelindaRing.com https://www.drmelindaring.com/ Resources Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/ The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/ Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/ Disclaimer This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.

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