Australia's healthcare system spends an estimated $10.4 billion annually treating diet-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. These largely preventable conditions cause immense personal suffering and place relentless pressure on health services.
Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and adopting healthier eating patterns have the potential to reduce this disease burden by as much as 36%, saving lives and substantially cutting healthcare costs. The World Health Organisation reports that every dollar invested in improving nutrition returns $14 in health and economic benefits—making diet one of the most cost-effective public health interventions.
To turn evidence into action, Doctors For Nutrition (DFN) is proud to announce the launch of the Culinary Medicine Course, the first fully on-demand program in Australia and New Zealand that equips individuals, healthcare providers, and food service professionals with the practical skills needed to prepare whole food plant-based meals that prevent and even reverse chronic diseases.
"This course empowers Australians to change their diets in a delicious and sustainable way," said Rebecca Stonor, DFN's CEO. "Poor diet costs our health system billions each year—transforming how we cook and eat is essential to reversing chronic disease trends."
Scientific research confirms that increased fruit and vegetable intake significantly lowers risks for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.
About us:
Doctors For Nutrition is an independent, registered charity founded in 2018 with the mission to inspire the healthcare sector, policymakers, and society at large to adopt whole food plant-based nutrition as a powerful tool in disease prevention and care. With a team of medical and dietetic practitioners across Australia, New Zealand, and globally, Doctors For Nutrition works to equip clinicians, institutions, and communities with evidence-based education and resources on optimal human nutrition. The organisation advocates for the integration of whole food plant-based nutrition into mainstream healthcare to prevent, alleviate, and even reverse chronic diseases, aiming to create a world free from preventable disease where everyone can thrive and live to their full potential.
