Food As Medicine
– Livin Guest Blog Post from Dr. Lauren Powell, MD
Food is more than fuel. Every bite we take sends signals throughout the body affecting blood sugar, inflammation levels, hormones, gut health, energy, mood, and long-term disease risk. As a physician, I see this play out every single day. And as someone deeply passionate about culinary medicine, I also see how underutilized food still is in most people’s health journeys. Let’s be clear from the start: using food as medicine does not mean stopping prescribed medications or ignoring medical care. Medications save lives and are often essential. But food and nutrition are powerful partners tools that can work alongside medical treatment to support healing, improve quality of life, and in some cases reduce disease progression over time.
Why Food Matters More Than We’re Taught Chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, autoimmune disease, and heart disease don’t develop overnight and they aren’t managed by pills alone. They are deeply influenced by daily lifestyle choices, especially what we eat consistently.
Whole, thoughtfully prepared foods can:
Help stabilize blood sugar Reduce chronic inflammation Support gut and immune health Improve energy and mental clarity Promote heart and metabolic health Yet despite this, nutrition is often an afterthought something discussed briefly, if at all, during medical visits. That gap leaves many people feeling overwhelmed, confused, or unsure where to even begin.
One of the Most Powerful Strategies:
Cooking (or Choosing) Your Own Food One of the most impactful ways to take control of your health is by eating meals prepared with intention. When food is cooked at home, or with a home-cooked philosophy, you gain transparency and control over ingredients, portion sizes, added sugars, sodium, and cooking methods. Unfortunately, many people want to eat better but simply don’t have the time, energy, or capacity to cook regularly. Busy schedules, work demands, caregiving, and burnout make it difficult to consistently prepare nourishing meals from scratch. At the same time, fast food and highly processed meals while convenient often work against health goals, even when they appear “healthy” on the surface.
Thoughtfully Designed Meals That Support Health This is where intentional meal design matters. In collaboration with Livin, I helped develop anti-inflammatory and metabolic health–focused menu options designed to support people on their health journeys. These meals are rooted in evidence-based nutrition principles and thoughtfully crafted to support blood sugar balance, reduce inflammation, and promote metabolic and heart health without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. The Metabolic Health menu brings the Food as Medicine philosophy to life through balanced, nutrient-dense meals such as:
Herb-Roasted Salmon with Brussels Sprouts and Farro Pilaf, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber to support inflammation reduction and heart health.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers with Quinoa Salad and Green Beans, a lean-protein, high-fiber combination that helps stabilize blood sugar and energy levels.
Restorative Chicken, Rice & Ginger Soup, a comforting, nutrient-dense option designed to support digestion and steady energy.
Mediterranean Baked Sweet Potato with Cucumber Tomato Salad, a plant-forward meal rich in phytonutrients and fiber.
Greek Quinoa Salad with Falafel, a satisfying vegetarian option that supports metabolic balance and satiety.
These meals are designed to be both healing and enjoyable, because sustainable health changes happen when food is realistic, accessible, and delicious.
This is why I love Livin
It bridges the gap between intention and reality. Livin offers delicious, home-style meals made with care, allowing people to enjoy the benefits of thoughtfully prepared food without the stress of planning, shopping, cooking, and cleaning. It removes the constant tension of: “I want to eat better, but I don’t have the time.” With Livin, eating well becomes accessible, realistic, and sustainable and consistency is where real health change happens.
Food as Medicine Is Not Perfection. It’s Progress Using food as medicine doesn’t require an all-or-nothing mindset. It’s about making supportive choices more often than not and creating systems that help you show up for your health, even during busy or challenging seasons of life. Food may not replace medicine but it absolutely enhances healing. And when nourishing meals are made easier, everyone has a better chance to thrive.
Health & Blessings,
Dr. Lauren
