How to (not) eat like a doctor

Our diets may be the most important factor affecting our health but we physicians are notorious for eating poorly. We don’t intentionally make poor food choices, but we fail to intentionally make good food choices. Most of the time, poor eating habits are tied directly to our training and work.

too busy to eat well

Doctors in training- medical students and residents- have no control over their schedules so they often don’t know when, where, or what they will eat. We don’t do much better when we start practicing.

When we are an hour behind schedule (yes, we are well aware that we run late and we don’t do it just to ruin your day) and an emergency patient walks in, we just accept “there goes a decent lunch”, if we get to eat lunch at all.

I’ve learned from my patients that physicians are not unique this way. In the midst of busy lives with work, school, kids’ activities, church, clubs and just maintaining life, food often gets low priority on our schedules

a vending machine with snack food — Too often, doctors’ meals are something we eat from one of these.

planning to eat well

So, to help you with this dilemma, I am sharing advice from another physician blogger, Mary L. Brandt, MD who writes wellnessrounds. She is a Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics and Medical Ethics at Baylor College of Medicine and pediatric surgeon at Texas Children’s Hospital .

Her blog mostly addresses issues pertinent to medical students and residents but in this post she outlines a 5 step plan for healthy eating that anyone can use.

5 steps to healthy eating

Make a plan
Make a shopping list
Shop once for the week and (when you can) prep ahead
Use your day(s) off to cook things that might take a bit more time and freeze some for other days
Keep a few “instant” healthy meals in your pantry

bottle of olive oil — Olive oil is a healthy choice for cooking at home.

Think this sounds like a lot of work? Well, it is, but so is being sick, or trying to lose weight after you’ve gained too much. Or as Dr. Brandt says in her post (speaking to medical students and residents remember)

“If you can learn how to take out a gallbladder or care for ill patients in the ICU don’t you think you can learn how to sauté a few vegetables???”
Dr. Mdary Brandt

Here is a link to her plan to help you start eating well-like a doctor.

Eating Well at Work

exploring the HEART of eating well

Dr Aletha

Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me. View all posts by Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.