Learn how to tackle a leading cause of disease and early death

Poor nutrition is one of the top risk factors for health loss, yet research shows that nutrition is insufficiently incorporated into medical education. In many cases, medical students and doctors receive little or no education on nutrition.  

This mini-course has been designed by Doctors For Nutrition, an independent health promotion charity, to help fill this education gap. Delivered by doctors and dietitians, the material will support you to understand how plant-based nutrition can be a tool in disease prevention and management. By the end of the mini-course, attendees will be comfortable to:

  • Describe the principles of a healthy, sustainable plant-based eating pattern;
  • List ways to assist patients to achieve positive dietary shifts;
  • Undertake a rapid assessment of a patient's diet; and
  • Develop nutrition goals in collaboration with patients and support problem-solving to overcome barriers.

Course curriculum

Time commitment: approximately 8 hours over 4-6 weeks.  


Module 1: Nutrition Essentials

  • Introduction, Dr Heleen Roex
  • The Best Diet for Health, Dr Shireen Kassam
  • Tips for Nutrition in Practice, Emma Strutt APD
  • How to Talk to Patients about Diet, Dr Alyce Churchill
  • Recommendations for Success, Dr Luke Wilson


Complete on-demand at your own pace prior to the Live Workshop.



Module 2: Interactive Online Session: 28 April 2022

Speakers: Dr Adrian Griscti, Dr Stephanie Dakin, Dr Luke Wilson, Dr Malcolm Mackay. 

Topic: What works when supporting patients with diet change

Join a number of doctors who specialise in plant-based nutrition for an interactive session exploring how to put evidence into practice with patients.

Time: Thursday 28 April 2022, 7pm-8.30pm AEST / 9pm-10.30pm NZT



Module 3: Assignment

Undertake an exercise to try out new tools and techniques, then submit a short write up of how it went. On completion of course content, the assignment and feedback form, a certificate will be issued.


Module 4: Bonus Content

Access further insights from health professionals who have been putting nutrition into practice, including Dr Martyn Williamson on Communication Considerations, Deeni Betar-Young, APD, on Tips for Buying and Preparing Food, and more.




Prescribing Nutrition

A free mini-course led by medical professionals who specialise in utilising plant-based nutrition to help their patients thrive.
Join waitlist for next course opening

I wish I'd known this early in my medical career ...

This sentiment is echoed by many healthcare professionals who now have an understanding and appreciation of the strong link between nutrition and disease. What I learnt later in my life after my retirement, changed the way I viewed medicine forever. My eyes were opened to the healing properties of whole food plant-based nutrition and the direct connection between what patients eat and the conditions they suffer.

I became fascinated by the abundance of well executed studies that all indicate that a healthy whole food plant-based diet is not only preventative for many chronic diseases, but can also play a curative role in stopping and often reversing disease.

I had wondered why this wasn’t covered in what I had learnt at medical school. It is something so powerful, yet isn't currently taught in many medical schools.

I understand the desire to see your patients not only manage medical conditions, but to thrive.

I understand the hesitation and reluctance some of you may have towards assessing and discussing patients’ diets, especially if it’s not an area you’ve studied in depth.

I understand the feeling of confusion with all the seemingly conflicting dietary information out there. 

Doctors for Nutrition have created this mini-course to help increase your understanding of a whole food plant-based diet and its connection to the very conditions that your patients will be  seeking your advice about every day.

We want to equip you with the knowledge you need, to feel comfortable discussing a nutrition prescription to thrive with your patients.

We owe it to our patients to provide them with the full range of options and evidence-based treatments available to them.

Patients trust their doctors and look to you for advice about how to lead a healthier lifestyle or manage their conditions. I'm sure you'll agree, being able to facilitate lifestyle changes that will help your patients thrive as their health improves, is far more rewarding and satisfying than simply managing their chronic conditions. You have the opportunity to offer more than medications and procedures, you can treat the dietary and lifestyle factors that are the cause of the issues.

We’re excited to embark on this journey with you.

Dr Heleen Roex
Co-Founder & Chair of Board
Doctors For Nutrition

Not a GP or medical doctor?

If you're a medical student or other health professional and would like to join the waitlist for when we open our next mini-course, please join here. 

If you’re not a medical student, health professional or medical doctor and are interested in learning more about plant-based nutrition for health, please review the Further Resources page on our website, which contains educational resources designed for a wider audience.