Welcome to the January edition of Whole Health Digest — featuring the latest research and practical tools for advancing whole health, provided by the nonprofit Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH).

In this newsletter, you will discover:

• A recent publication on integrating lifestyle and obesity medicine into residency education​
• New digital cookbooks (in English and Spanish) to help patients and communities cook and enjoy healthy meals
• Whole health resources for healthcare providers and patients from the US Department of Veterans Affairs
• And more

News and Journal Highlights

​Integrating Lifestyle and Obesity Medicine into Residency Education: A Clinical-Educational Model in an Underserved Setting​

This new research article suggests that lifestyle medicine training can improve patient care and support provider well-being. “Integrating lifestyle and obesity medicine into clinical training and practice represents a scalable model to enhance resident education, support vulnerable populations, and address the root causes of chronic disease.” (Source: American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine)

​A Culinary Medicine Perspective on Whole Grain Oats​

This article, authored by Full Plate Living Program Director and AJLM Culinary Medicine Columnist, Amy Hanus, highlights the clinical application of whole grain oats, specifically within the framework of culinary medicine. "Whole grains cooked in liquid, especially in their less processed forms, such as steel-cut oats, offer a powerful, affordable, and accessible tool for patients aiming to manage or prevent insulin resistance and chronic diseases.” (Source: American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine)

​You’re probably not eating enough fiber. Here’s what to do about it.​

This article suggests that fiber is the new protein and the “it” nutrient of 2026. “Studies link fiber with protection against heart disease, digestive disorders, stroke, hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Despite fiber’s remarkable benefits, most of us don’t get nearly enough.” (Source: The Washington Post)

​How We’ll Eat in 2026: More Caution, More Crunch​

According to this New York Times piece, “The consumer right now is leaning a little bit away from science and into whole foods put together in a way that takes away some of the noise,” and cabbage will “reach new heights” in 2026. (Source: The New York Times)

​The 5-Day Brain Health Challenge​

As outlined in this article, experts think the foods included in the MIND diet are especially good for the brain because they contain certain macro and micronutrients. “You don’t have to revamp your whole diet to get these nutrients. Instead, think about ‘MIND-ifying’ whatever you already tend to eat.” (Source: The New York Times)

Turn the National Nutrition Conversation into Actionable Patient Results

With fiber and whole foods dominating the national health conversation, there is a unique opportunity to drive patient behavior change. Clinicians, leverage this momentum by referring your patients to Full Plate Living, a free, research-based nutrition program offered by AIH. The Full Plate approach uses small-step behavior change to help people add more whole, unprocessed fiber foods to their meals, promoting achievable and sustainable lifestyle changes that can result in significant health benefits.

Grants

Massachusetts General Hospital: Digital Cookbooks Available in English and Spanish

With grant support from AIH, Massachusetts General Hospital’s (MGH) Revere HealthCare Center launched the Healthy Families Clinic and Teaching Kitchen program, a three-year pilot initiative designed to address food insecurity and chronic disease among families in the Revere community. The program integrates healthy food access, patient and family education, psychosocial support, and rigorous evaluation to create a sustainable model for improving community health.

While research and toolkit production are ongoing, MGH has released new digital cookbooks (in English and Spanish) to help patients and communities cook and enjoy healthy, delicious meals.

Download the Cookbooks

Since 2014, AIH has granted over $21 million to Whole Health projects and initiatives. To learn more about AIH's granting work, click here.

Resources

Free CME Available: Prescribing GLP-1 RA Medications and Lifestyle Habits to Maximize Patient Success

This free, AAFP credit system approved CME provides an in-depth, evidence-based review of GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA) medications in treating obesity, emphasizing their clinical application alongside lifestyle medicine. Presented by Dr. Jonathan Bonnet, the session explores prescribing strategies, expected outcomes, patient counseling, and real-world considerations that family physicians commonly encounter.

Enroll for Free

VA Whole Health Resources

Whole health is physical, behavioral, spiritual, and socioeconomic well-being and centers around what matters to you, not what is the matter with you. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has created a wealth of resources to support healthcare providers and patients in enabling whole health.

Access the Resources

See also: Lifestyle Medicine and the Primary Care Provider: A Practical Guide to Enabling Whole Person Care​

Events

The Goal-Setting Workshop for Real-Life Success

In this January workshop, Melyssa Allen will explore goal setting for long-term success and tools to overcome perfectionism, boost confidence, and celebrate progress. Register to join below or share the workshop details with your patients, employees, or community members.

Learn More and Register

Can GLP-1s + Nutrition and Exercise shift the Metabolic Disease Curve?

Next month, AIH Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jonathan Bonnet, and Dr. David Eisenberg will move beyond the headlines to explore what it actually takes to optimize health. Drawing on decades of research, clinical leadership, and frontline patient care, they will examine how medications, nutrition, movement, and teaching kitchen educational interventions can work synergistically to alter the trajectory of metabolic disease and improve health.

Learn More and Register

2026 Integrative Medicine Conference

AIH is delighted to sponsor and exhibit at the 2026 Integrative Medicine Conference, hosted by the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. The conference will feature keynote addresses, interactive workshops, and dynamic sessions designed to advance whole person healthcare and clinical excellence.

Learn More and Register

Farm to Health CME Event

With grant support from AIH, the Culinary Health Institute will host a two-day, CME-accredited conference at 4Roots Farm focused on nutrition, food as medicine, and evidence-based clinical practice. Join us in May for expert-led lectures, culinary health demonstrations, and practical, patient-centered applications.

Learn More and Register

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We hope you found today's newsletter informative and inspiring. We'll be back next month with another edition of Whole Health Digest.

Happy New Year!

The AIH Team

P.S. This newsletter is offered by Ardmore Institute of Health (AIH), a nonprofit dedicated to improving people's health through the power of Whole Health. If it was forwarded to you by a friend or colleague, and you'd like to receive it regularly, subscribe here.

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