Unlock the power of nutrition in managing and preventing diabetes with our comprehensive Food as Medicine class. Guided by research nurse Keri Whitaker of the AdventHealth Diabetes Institute and Allison Harrell, Registered Dietitian and Culinary Medicine Specialist, this class delves into the critical connection between diet and blood sugar control. You’ll learn how to create balanced, low-glycemic meals that help stabilize blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and support overall metabolic health.

This hands-on class combines the latest in nutritional science with practical culinary skills, empowering you to make informed food choices that can transform your health. Whether you’re living with diabetes, prediabetes, or simply looking to enhance your knowledge, this session will provide you with valuable tools and delicious recipes to support a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.

In this class, the cooking team will teach you how to make the following recipes and talk about their health benefits: Loaded Black Bean Dip, Tempeh Tacos, and Nutty Balance Brownies.

You have two options for attending this program – save your seat in the Nutrition Theatre or click here to register for our free webinar and watch it from home. Whether you’re watching from inside the Nutrition Theatre or from home, you’ll also have the opportunity to share your questions and comments with Allison and Keri during the program.

This is a demonstration-style cooking program, so our in-person attendees should prepare to sit back, relax and let our chef prepare the meal while you enjoy the delicious items. All attendees, both online and in-person, will receive a booklet for Loaded Black Bean Dip, Tempeh Tacos, and Nutty Balance Brownies.

Cancelling Your Reservation: In order to receive a full refund, participants must cancel their program registration at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled start of the program. Center for Health & Wellbeing’s Refund Policy >>>

This program is presented by Allison Harrell and Keri Whitaker and is hosted by the Winter Park Health Foundation in collaboration with AdventHealth.

About the Presenters:   

Allison Harrell is a registered dietitian nutritionist and plant-based chef who has been passionate about food and nutrition for more than 20 years. She advanced her knowledge by becoming a certified Culinary Medicine Specialist, certified in Weight Loss Management. Harrell believes that every time we eat, it is an opportunity to promote our health. She incorporates culinary experiences with a science-based approach. Her programs and tools make a positive difference in the health of our communities by instilling confidence and knowledge in the kitchen.

Keri Whitaker is a research nurse at the Translational Research Institute and is based out of the AdventHealth Diabetes Institute. She works to get people 18+ into diabetes research trials. “I’m spending a lot of time just talking to them, finding out more about how they live, how they treat their diabetes, how they’ve lived with their diabetes. I’ve got patients who have had diabetes for 65 years, so I’m learning stuff from them too.”

Not only does she educate patients about medication and device studies, but she’s also a firm believer in signing herself up. “I do every chance I get.” From questionnaires to giving blood samples to testing Dexcom patches, Keri believes it’s all important. “I wouldn’t be where I am today as a diabetic person if there wasn’t research.”

About the Food as Medicine Series: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” isn’t just a quote from ancient Greek philosopher Hippocrates, it’s a framework to healthy and healing eating that’s more relevant today than ever. Join CHWB Chefs and AdventHealth physicians for this innovative program from the Center for Health & Wellbeing. You’ll learn more about the intersection of food and medicine, dive deep into the ways your food choices affect your health far beyond the numbers on your scale and learn easy recipes using new and interesting flavors and techniques.