Personalized Culinary Medicine: Qualitative Analyses of Perceptions from Participants in Action and Contemplation Stages of Change

By:
Rani Polak,Amir Tirosh,Jacob Mirsky,Brianna E. Gray, Maggi A. Budd, Adi Finkelstein
Date:
2025
Resource type:
Peer review
Link:

This qualitative study tracked perceptions of participants enrolled in a one-year culinary medicine program in the U.S. and Israel, segmented by readiness-to-change stages (contemplation and action). Using surveys and interviews, the study found that participants gained culinary and nutrition knowledge, increased cooking confidence, and improved their home-cooking and dietary habits. Barriers included time constraints and emotional challenges, while motivators were knowledge, skill-building, and family engagement. Results highlight the value of tailoring interventions to a participant’s motivational stage for sustained dietary change.

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