Module 2: Nutrition and Whole Food, Plant-predominant Eating

In this module, Dr. Collin Zhu and Dr. Terri Stone explore the powerful role of nutrition in lifestyle medicine. They explain how a whole food, plant-predominant (WFPP) diet can prevent and even reverse chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and depression. The video introduces the NOVA food classification system, highlights the health risks of ultra-processed foods, and offers practical strategies for adopting a WFPP diet on a budget and within diverse cultural traditions. Viewers will learn how food choices impact inflammation, gene expression, and long-term health outcomes.

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the characteristics of a whole food, plant-predominant (WFPP) diet and its health benefits.
  2. Differentiate between whole, processed, and ultra-processed foods using the NOVA classification system.
  3. Apply practical strategies to adopt a WFPP diet within budgetary and cultural contexts.
Course summary
Course opens: 
11/12/2025
Course expires: 
11/09/2026
Cost:
$0.00
Part of: 
Lifestyle Medicine Fundamentals: Framework for Success

Colin Zhu, DO, FACLM, DipABLM

Dr. Colin Zhu is Board-Certified in Family Practice & Lifestyle Medicine. Driven by his passion for the intersection of medicine, food, and nutrition, he trained as a chef and health coach at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health & Culinary Arts and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. In 2017, he launched TheChefDoc, an online wellness and lifestyle education platform that has been featured in several publications. Dr. Zhu is an international speaker, the author of "Thrive Medicine: How To Cultivate Your Desires and Elevate Your Life,“ and the host of the Thrive Bites Podcast in which he interviews health and wellness experts on plant-powered lifestyle, enhancing emotional wellness, and creating a thriving mindset. He also created The THR5 Formula™, a self-educational masterclass series that combines inspiration, education, and practical tools on how to THRIVE, with its 5 To THR5™ Pillars: Food As Medicine, Functional Fitness, Relationships, Community, & Emotional Resilience. Currently based in Southern California, he sees patients via his virtual lifestyle medical practice, TheChefDoc Lifestyle Medicine, and his new TheChefDoc App offers to coach individuals worldwide. Dr. Zhu enjoys salsa dancing, scuba diving & globetrotting. He resides and works in Southern California and lives with his cat Naruto.

Terri Stone, MD, DipABLM 

Dr. Terri Stone is board certified in Lifestyle and Internal Medicine practicing at MedStar Lafayette Centre. She works on the MedStar Institute for Innovation Culinary and Living Style Medicine team to expand Lifestyle Medicine practices across the health system. She co -developed and runs a virtual pop-up Teaching Kitchen, Fresh & Savory Culinary Living Style Shared Medical Appointment.  In 2023, Terri began a new role as Director of GME Culinary Medicine and Nutrition Education. She and her teammates enjoy running CM/LM workshops for medical students and GME trainees across MedStar/Georgetown

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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