ABSTRACT
Methods: Participants of the 13 week program, Partner's Aligned in Transformative Healing (PATH), receive an Anti-Inflammatory Pantry Kit containing one retail size quantity of extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, green tea, ground flax seed, dried lentils, maple syrup, ground turmeric, ground ginger, and coconut milk. During week 5 of the program participants spend 90 minutes with the registered dietitian (virtual or in-person, depending on the group) for an interactive education and sensory experiential. Participants leave with the food and knowledge of the ingredients and how to use them. The registered dietitian procures the ingredients and puts together the kits. Food costs are reimbursed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont as it has been incorporated into the program's bundled payment model for each PATH participant. Results: What emerged from this experimental adjustment to the curriculum is an innovation that has engaged participants to make modifications to their diets to increase whole food sources of omega-3 fatty acids, phytonutrients, dietary fiber, zinc, selenium, plant-based protein, and healthy fat;all of which are evidenced based nutrients that have been demonstrated to impact inflammatory and immune systems in individuals experiencing chronic pain. Background: The Anti-Inflammatory Pantry Kit was designed during the covid-19 pandemic as a way to continue to offer hands-on culinary medicine to participants at the University of Vermont's Comprhensive Pain Program in the comfort and safety of their own home. Conclusion: Culinary medicine at the Comprehensive Pain Program looks different now that it did prior to the pandemic and the changes have been received with enthusiasm. The Anti-Inflammatory Pantry Kit is a dynamic tool for nutrition and culinary medicine education for chronic pain participants. This tool and approach to medical nutrition therapy has been made sustainable by the reimbursement by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and the engagement of participants.