Yale New Haven Health’s Teaching Kitchen Cooks Up Healthier Futures for Patients

When it comes to health, we all know the saying – you are what you eat. For the patients at Yale New Haven Health’s Teaching Kitchen, it is not just about filling their stomachs, but it is about filling their lives with the right fuel.

The class is taught by Chef and Dietitian Max Goldstein who guides patients through each step of their culinary journey. He said cooking is not just a skill, but more so a prescription.

“How can we incorporate more fruits, vegetables, nut seeds, legumes, whole grains, all the foods we know are good for us?” said Goldstein.

Whether the patients are battling a chronic condition or simply trying to improve their diet, the meals cater to their unique health needs.

For 61-year-old Phili LaFleur, he was referred to the class to manage his type two diabetes.

“We’ve gone from chicken wings once a week to every other week to now buffalo cauliflower and now we’re into buffalo tofu,” said LaFleur.

The classes are offered three days a week and are free to patients who are referred by their Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS) physicians. Each class can last for up to two and a half hours and it starts with the patients watching an introductory video while Goldstein preps the ingredients for the patients’ meals.

“We’re all here for one thing and that’s to learn how to cook better,” added LaFleur.

Goldstein implements the Mediterranean Diet in many of his classes which he says can help with weight loss, diabetes and heart health. The best part is saved for last where the patients can try each other’s meals.

“It’s really rewarding to see them learn it in person and then come back and tell me another time they’ve actually implemented some of those things,” added Goldstein.

Additional Information

Culinary medicine seeks to combine researched nutrition knowledge with something everyone understands – food. It is an opportunity for patients to get hands-on learning that supports what they have discussed with their healthcare providers. All first-time participants must attend an introduction class that covers nutrition and cooking basics.

After completing the introductory class, patients can attend any class they are interested in, with topics that focus on breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and side dishes.

Learn more about the Teaching Kitchen and get healthy recipe ideas.