The class is called culinary medicine.
A crossroads between learning how to cook and learning how to heal. And during the six-week course, senior students studying to become dietitians teach medical students how nutrition can be as powerful as medicine.
"The research shows us that about 30 percent don't even talk about food because they don't really have a vocabulary around it or they don't feel comfortable doing it. We hope that this transforms their lives as well so they can improve the lives of others," says registered dietician, Debbie Gillespie, from The University of North Texas Health Science Center.
Traditionally, medical students take very few nutrition courses during their schooling. But science has shown food can lead to better health.
For example, diet and exercise can reverse type 2 diabetes.
The class is focusing on the Mediterranean diet: known to decrease inflammation in the body.
"There are so many studies that show if people follow the Mediterranean diet that they do reduce their risk for disease," says Anne Vanbeber, the Department Chair, and Professor at the Nutritional Science Program, Texas Christian University.
With healthcare costs, chronic disease and emergency room visits trending up, professors say diet is a cost-effective way to reduce it all.
And it starts in the kitchen with the next generation of healthcare providers.
Now equipped to share their nutritional knowledge with future patients.
"Being able to talk to the patient and say, 'I know this may sound daunting but try one of these recipes this week. I've tried it myself, and I know it tastes good and I know it's quick and easy, it takes 20 minutes to cook," says medical student Kristyn Stevener.
