Food as Medicine: Cooking for Gut Health

Posted December 15, 2022 | By Jordyn Flannery

Why is gut health so important? If you have an imbalance in your gut bacteria, you could develop something called dysbiosis, which can, in turn, lead to sleep disturbances, migraine, skin irritation, unexplained weight gain or loss, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, strong cravings for sugar and carbs, moodiness, and autoimmune disease … just to name a few! In this webinar presentation of a live cooking program in the Center for Health & Wellbeing’s Nutrition Theatre, Registered Dietitian and Culinary Medicine Specialist Allison Harrell shares ways to improve your gut health by eating delicious plant-powered food. She’s joined by Daniel Galante, DO, a colorectal Surgeon at AdventHealth Winter Park.

Featured recipes can be found here.

Learn more about Dr. Galante here. 

About Your Program 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.

Daniel Galante, DO, MS, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon and Assistant Program Director for the Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship program. His areas of expertise include the use of minimally invasive technologies in colon and rectal cancer treatment, including TAMIS and laparoscopic surgery, as well as pelvic floor disorders.

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.