Experiential culinary medicine (CM) programs delivered from teaching kitchens are emerging as practical, patient-centered approaches to nutrition intervention. Designed to improve and sustain healthy dietary patterns, CM interventions build on traditional nutrition education by incorporating hands-on food skills alongside nutrition education, supporting patients to practice the behaviors recommended to improve health outcomes.

Although CM interventions are gaining popularity, best practices to integrate CM into clinical practice are still being defined. Many RDNs are hesitant to develop and implement new programs in this field due to a lack of training or support to integrate CM interventions within their practice, and are seeking resources to align existing RDN practice competence, professional scope, and expertise within this growing field.

This panel presentation highlights opportunities to implement CM in healthcare settings, illustrate strategic interdisciplinary collaborations that support successful CM interventions, and present the RDN as an integral professional in multi-disciplinary CM practice.