Docs in the Kitchen to focus May 4 on ‘Fiber-Rich Foods for a Healthy Lifestyle’

The University of Arizona Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology will host its third Docs in the Kitchen gastro-educational event at the Hacienda at the River active senior living community on Saturday, May 4, 4-6 p.m., as part of the division’s Cookin’ Docs program it launched in 2019 and revived post-pandemic last year.

For this dietary foray, the menu will focus on a high-fiber diet for cancer prevention and treatment, said Gastroenterology division Chief Juanita Merchant, MD, PhD, who also is interim director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center.

High Fiber Advantages

Joining her to provide a few insights on why high-fiber diets are good for our health will be Krisstina Gowin, DO, an associate professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, program director of the Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellowship Training Program, and founding director of the Integrative Medicine in Hematology-Oncology Fellowship – created in July 2022 in partnership between the UArizona Cancer Center and Mayo Clinic.

“Fiber intake is important for cancer prevention for several reasons, including anti-inflammatory effects, modulation of the gut microbiome, weight management, blood sugar regulation and digestive health improvement,” Dr. Gowin said. “But it’s important to note that while fiber intake is associated with reduced risk of certain types of cancer, too, it’s most effective when combined with other healthy lifestyle choices.”

Among those are maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, not smoking, and only moderate alcohol consumption if at all.

“We recommend that all the time as a preventative measure,” Dr. Merchant said. “And, as you may know, the Mediterranean diet can fit into that with more olive oil, fish-based diets with (fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, beans) and salads.”

Mediterranean-Style Diet

David Sullivan, Hacienda at the River’s executive chef who often joins Dr. Merchant and her guest physicians in witty conversation and cooking advice with Docs in the Kitchen attendees, agreed. The fare for this event, he noted, would focus on just that, a Mediterranean-style diet. The menu he’ll prepare includes: 

• Appetizer: Bruschetta with Figs and Stilton
• Soup: Cioppino
• Salad: Cannellini Bean, Basil and Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese and Filo Dough
• Main Dish: Swordfish with Pesto, Tabbouleh and Fava Beans
• Dessert: Pistachio Financier with Pomegranate, Tangerine and Sorbet

The first Docs in the Kitchen event on June 10, 2023, focused on gluten-free diets and offered participants a cooking demonstration of three different recipes for ratatouille served over rice, couscous and gluten-free noodles. The second, Sept. 30, looked at alternate seasonings for low-salt diets without sacrificing flavor. The goal is to show how easy these meals are to prepare at home. After the demonstrations, participants share in a buffet-style tasting. 

Other physicians participating in past events include Amy Sussman, MD, Division of Nephrology professor; Mindy Fain, MD, chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and co-director of the UArizona Center on Aging; David Lieberman, MD, who prior to joining her division, was a noted chef, cookbook author and host of the Food Network’s “Good Deal with Dave Lieberman” TV series, and Kanwal Bains, MD, CNSC, a hospitalist in the Division of Inpatient Medicine who completed a nutrition fellowship at Harvard.

These events generally begin with a reception with beverages, snacks and conversation with participating physicians before regrouping in Hacienda at the River’s dining room for the cooking demonstration, which is designed to show you how easy it is to prepare such meals. There’s often a lot of back-and-forth dialogue between the doctors and diners. And, again, plated meals are shared at the end.

Funds to Benefit the Programs

This event is a fundraiser with a portion of the ticket price going to the University of Arizona Foundation and net proceeds benefiting the University of Arizona Gastroenterology and, in this case, Oncology programs. Tickets are $100 per person, $70 of which qualifies as a tax-deductible donation. Payments are processed by the University of Arizona Foundation.

Space is limited so advanced registration is required. Please call 520-485-1060 to RSVP by May 2.

Come and experience a fun and informative cooking demonstration and tasty food that you can prepare yourself.

ADD THIS EVENT TO YOUR CALENDAR HERE

About the Chef

With 30 years of food service experience, David Sullivan, MAEd, executive chef at Hacienda at the River, holds a University of Arizona bachelor’s degree and University of Phoenix master’s degree in education. He studied culinary arts at Pima Community College and restaurant management at Northern Arizona University. Sullivan apprenticed under Chef Jason Jonilonis at the Westward Look Resort and worked in many other Tucson area restaurants. He taught culinary arts at Ironwood Ridge High School and was a faculty member of the Culinary Arts Department at the Art Institute of Tucson for seven years. In addition, he was executive chef for three years at The Forum at Tucson, a senior living community, and at Cornerstone Hospital for one year. He also spent a season at McMurdo Station in Antarctica as sous chef. A former actor, director and writer in the Tucson theater world as well, Sullivan sees food and cooking as a form of performance art and a means to bring people together to add joy to their lives. In that respect, he finds food to be healing and transformative. 

NOTE: For additional information on future Cookin’ Docs events, please contact Carmen Mendoza (carmenm1@arizona.edu, 520-626-6743) in the Division of Gastorenterology and Hepatology.

DOM calendar listing for this event.

ALSO SEE:
“Docs in the Kitchen tackle low-salt diets at next culinary event, Sept. 30” | Aug. 29, 2023
“Good Food, Good Health: Hacienda at the River joins with University of Arizona for Docs in the Kitchen” (Hacienda at the River) | Posted June 28, 2023
“Photo Gallery: Cookin’ Docs event offers tips for those with sensitive palates” | Posted June 16, 2023
“Hacienda at the River to Host June 10 ‘Cookin’ Docs’ Reboot Event” | Posted May 12, 2023