Revolutionizing Chronic Disease Management Through Medically Tailored Meals

For healthcare practitioners and patients alike, addressing chronic conditions through nutrition necessitates access to an adequate supply of medically tailored meals. Bruno Didier, head of B2B at CookUnity, emphasizes the importance of meal quality: “If you send them meals that are frozen, don’t taste good, or are not culturally relevant, you’re not going to get the outcome you want.”

Partnerships for Better Health

CookUnity is on a mission to enhance the concept of medically tailored meals through a promising collaboration with EmblemHealth, a U.S. health insurer, and Dr. Dean Ornish, founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute. This initiative aims to provide nutritious, chef-made meals to participants of EmblemHealth’s recently launched project aligned with Dr. Ornish’s lifestyle medicine program for early-stage Alzheimer’s patients.

Didier expresses that part of the initiative’s goal is to demonstrate that healthy eating can be enjoyable and beneficial to both health and taste. “Eating healthily should be a positive experience,” he states.

The Best of Science and Culinary Arts

CookUnity markets itself as a “chef-to-consumer” platform, initially gaining traction as a small-batch meal delivery service crafted by award-winning chefs. Over the years, it has expanded its offerings to include corporate catering and meals tailored for healthcare settings. EmblemHealth initially reached out to CookUnity, seeking to combine the expertise of nutrition and culinary arts to create impactful medically tailored meals.

Dr. Dean Ornish, who has long advocated for lifestyle changes to manage chronic disease, aligns perfectly with the program’s focus on whole food, plant-based meals along with exercise and stress management. Participants in the EmblemHealth Alzheimer’s Pilot Study can choose from over a dozen ready-to-eat meals designed specifically for their dietary needs, with plans to expand to 28 meals soon.

Addressing Barriers to Healthy Eating

Over 7 million Americans over 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s dementia, and while the exact causes remain unclear, lifestyle and dietary factors play a significant role in overall health and aging. Dr. Dan Knecht, Chief Medical Officer at EmblemHealth, stresses the importance of culturally relevant and enjoyable meals. “This program isn’t just about science, it’s about dignity and joy,” he states.

However, barriers such as affordability hinder access to healthy meals. A recent survey highlighted that 49% of the public and 67% of healthcare workers view the high cost of food as a major obstacle to healthy eating. Didier also points out that educational barriers remain, as meal plans from dietitians often go unused due to accessibility issues and cooking skills.

Embracing the Philosophy of Nutrition

Looking ahead, Didier mentions plans to expand the EmblemHealth program nationwide and potentially include other chronic diseases. CookUnity also has partnerships with Elevance Health and Anthem, among others, aiming for comprehensive initiatives encompassing preventive care and recovery.

With clinical advisors from prestigious institutions like Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, CookUnity aims to provide meals that are not just nourishing but also gourmet. “We are what we eat,” Didier concludes, emphasizing the transformative power of food in enhancing health and well-being.