Physicians Committee

The future of chronic disease prevention includes nutrition 🥦🍎🥬🍠🍞⁠ ⁠ At the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine (ICNM), top experts gather to break down the newest research on how nutrition and lifestyle impact heart disease, cancer, diabetes, cognitive health, and more. ⁠ ⁠ What’s shared here doesn’t stay in a lecture hall — it influences the education, guidance, and resources we share with you all year long. ⁠ ⁠ Because advancing evidence-based nutrition is essential to the future of health care. ⁠ ⁠ To learn more and secure your ticket comment NUTRITION and we’ll send you a link!

@billieeilish ’s recent comments about eating animals sparked a huge conversation online—and a lot of strong reactions. In a recent video interview with ELLE magazine, Billie was asked to name the hill she’d die on.   “Y’all ain’t gonna like me for this one,” she said, and then: “Eating meat is inherently wrong,” that loving animals and eating them cannot coexist, that you cannot do both. What followed was an online conversation that has been raging for weeks. Conversations like these are understandably emotional because food choices are deeply personal—and often complex. They’re shaped by culture, family, routine, affordability, convenience, identity, and what feels normal in everyday life. For many people, eating animal products is simply something they do out of habit and without much thought. But learning more about industrial animal agriculture and its impact on animals, health, and the environment can lead to uncomfortable but important reflection. And while these conversations can feel emotionally charged, the underlying evidence doesn’t change. All the nutrients we need for good health can be obtained without animal products. Research shows that plant-based eating patterns can support heart health, help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, and improve overall well-being. Plant-based eating is also one of the most impactful ways individuals can reduce their environmental footprint—all while helping spare animals from suffering. If this conversation is making you rethink what’s on your plate, we have free resources to help you get started, including recipes, nutrition information, and health resources. Whether you’re curious about eating more plant-based meals or exploring a vegan lifestyle, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Visit PCRM.org to explore more. It takes conviction to speak openly about something this emotionally charged, especially knowing there may be backlash. We appreciate your courage, Billie, for helping spark a conversation that’s encouraging more people to reflect on the relationship among food, health, animals, and the environment. 💚

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, but research continues to show that diet and lifestyle choices play a major role in cardiovascular health. Research shows that low-fat, plant-based diets may help prevent, delay, and in some cases even reverse heart disease. Studies by Dean Ornish, MD, Caldwell Esselstyn Jr., MD, and others found improvements in blood flow, cholesterol levels, and artery health among participants following plant-based dietary patterns and making healthy lifestyle changes. Whole plant foods like beans, lentils, fruits, vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and whole grains naturally provide fiber while being low in saturated fat and free of dietary cholesterol. These foods may help support healthy LDL cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood flow, and inflammation markers linked to cardiovascular disease. Research also shows that plant-based diets may help improve several major risk factors for heart disease, including: • High cholesterol • High blood pressure • Inflammation • Excess weight Research has linked processed and red meat consumption with increased heart disease risk, while replacing meat with plant proteins may support long-term cardiovascular health. Small dietary changes can add up over time and lead to lasting health improvements. ❤️ To learn more about heart disease, cholesterol, blood pressure, and plant-based nutrition, comment “heart,” and we’ll send you the link!

This Brazilian black bean stew by @DorasTable is hearty and packed with flavor. 🫘✨ Sweet potato, orange, and spices come together for a nourishing meal that’s as vibrant as it is satisfying. Save this one for an easy weeknight dinner. Plus it is an excellent source of fiber and protein. Find more plant-based recipes on our website PCRM.org/Recipes ⁠ #VeganRecipes #BlackBeans #HealthyEating #plantbasedeating ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Ingredients ⁠ ⁠ Makes 10 Servings ⁠ ⁠ 1/2 cup (120 mL) water ⁠ ⁠ 1 onion, chopped ⁠ ⁠ 3 cloves garlic, chopped ⁠ ⁠ 1 small jalapeño pepper, chopped ⁠ ⁠ 1 carrot, thinly sliced ⁠ ⁠ 1 stalk celery, sliced ⁠ ⁠ 1 sweet potato, cubed ⁠ ⁠ 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cubed ⁠ ⁠ 1 cup (16 g) fresh cilantro, chopped ⁠ ⁠ 1 cup (180 g) fresh or canned tomatoes, chopped ⁠ ⁠ 2 oranges, peeled and well chopped ⁠ ⁠ 2 15-oz cans (720 g) black beans, undrained ⁠ ⁠ 1 teaspoon (5 mL) ground coriander ⁠ ⁠ 1 teaspoon (5 mL) ground cumin ⁠ ⁠ Heat the water in a large pot, then add the onion, garlic, jalapeño pepper, carrot, celery, and sweet potatoes. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. ⁠ ⁠ Add the bell peppers and cilantro and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the tomatoes, oranges, black beans and their liquid, coriander, and cumin. Cover lightly and cook over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.

New research is shedding light on an often-overlooked public health issue: the role of wildlife trade in disease transmission. A recent collaboration of scientists from the United States and Switzerland found that global wildlife trade increases the spread of disease from animals to humans. One part of this system—medical research and regulatory testing—uses nonhuman primates, which can carry pathogens capable of infecting humans. Many of the roughly 100,000 nonhuman primates held and used for research in the U.S. each year are imported from overseas. The animals are supposed to have been captive-bred, but their hefty price tags incentivize poaching and illegal capture so they can be sold to foreign factory-like breeding facilities where they are kept in meager conditions, like small mesh sacks and limited hygiene protocols. As noted by the new study, these and other factors like the stress of captivity can worsen infectious disease transmission risks. The good news is that we don’t need to transport wildlife for experiments and risk public health. Ethical and effective nonanimal approaches can better replicate human-specific biology and disease characteristics. New legislation introduced in Congress, the Preventing Risky Importation of Monkeys to Avoid Toxic Exposures Act—or PRIMATE Act—will finally end this practice by banning the importation of monkeys into the U.S. for research purposes. Take action: Urge your representative to support the PRIMATE Act and help reduce these public health risks (Link in bio). Comment “primate” and we’ll send you more info and the action link! #RespectTheirNature #PublicHealth #HumanBasedScience #NAMs

This doctor’s version of mac and cheese doesn’t use cheese. ⁠ ⁠ When we asked Michael Greger what healthy plant-based meal he’s been making lately, he mentioned something his family calls “hum-mac.” ⁠ ⁠ His version starts with whole-wheat pasta, then gets tossed with hummus, beans (like black soybeans), and whatever vegetables are around—in this case, things like kale and artichoke hearts. Give that a quick mix, and dinner’s basically done. ⁠ ⁠ It’s a good reminder that plant-based meals don’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just about combining a few familiar foods in a different way: ⁠ ⁠ • Whole-grain pasta ⁠ ⁠ • Beans or legumes ⁠ ⁠ • Vegetables ⁠ ⁠ • A creamy element like hummus ⁠ ⁠ Hummus works surprisingly well here because it already has the ingredients that make sauces satisfying. When it warms up with pasta, it turns into a creamy, savory pasta sauce without needing cheese. ⁠ ⁠ While he didn’t mention it, we have a hunch that something like nutritional yeast would add not only a protein boost to this meal, but also a nice “cheesy” element. ⁠ ⁠ Simple ideas like this can make it easier to keep plant-based meals in your regular rotation—especially on busy nights when you just need something fast. ⁠ ⁠ Would you try mac and cheese made with hummus? ⁠ ⁠ And if you already use hummus as a pasta sauce, we’d love to hear what you add to it!

Nutrition science is constantly evolving, and ICNM is where leading experts come together to discuss what the latest research means for patient care and everyday health. Join us Aug. 13-15 in Washington, D.C., for the 14th annual International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine, featuring presentations and discussions on topics including the microbiome, diabetes, GLP-1s, heart health, cognition, chronic disease prevention, and more.   Whether you’re a health professional, student, or someone passionate about evidence-based nutrition, ICNM is an incredible opportunity to learn from leaders in the field. Learn more and register at PCRM.org/ICNM (Link in bio!)

Online, raw milk can feel like it’s everywhere. Viral posts and passionate advocates can make something that’s relatively niche start to feel like a widespread movement. But perception and reality aren’t always the same. Recent survey data suggests that only a small share of U.S. adults report consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk when asked about their habits over the previous 12 months. And even less reported drinking it on a weekly basis. In other words, despite the noise online, raw milk remains a relatively uncommon choice. Making that clear matters. Because when something starts to feel normal or widely accepted, people may become more open to trying it—sometimes without fully understanding the risks involved. Raw milk carries well-documented food safety concerns. Today, major public health organizations—including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—continue to warn that consuming raw milk can increase the risk of foodborne illness. These organizations also provide great information debunking a lot of the health claims related to raw milk that you may come across online. All of that being said, this conversation about raw milk shouldn’t be mistaken as an endorsement of pasteurized dairy more broadly. Whether cow’s milk belongs in someone’s diet at all is a separate question—one that many people are considering for a variety of reasons, including lactose intolerance, heart health, environmental impact, and animal welfare. Today, there are more plant-based alternatives available than ever, and many people choose those options instead. Regardless of someone’s overall stance on dairy, it’s still important to understand the history and public health context behind why milk safety standards exist today. Online trends can make something look bigger than it is. Don’t fall for the hype. Follow for more expert breakdowns from physicians, dietitians, and scientists, and let us know what else we should cover! 🗳️ Let us know: Have you come across raw milk content online?👇

This oil-free refried beans recipe from @DorasTable provides all the delicious flavor of classic frijoles, but without the added fat. Perfect served with rice, stuffed into burritos, spread on tostadas, or enjoyed as a dip with tortilla chips. ⁠ ⁠ You can find more recipes like this and get more vegan recipes, medical information, shopping lists, and more at our website PCRM.org. #physicianscommittee #plantbasedrecipes ⁠ ⁠ Ingredients: ⁠ 1/2 onion, chopped ⁠ 3 garlic cloves, minced ⁠ 1 serrano chili, chopped ⁠ 2 large tomatoes, chopped ⁠ 3 cups cooked beans, with a bit of their broth ⁠ Salt and pepper to taste ⁠ ⁠ Instructions: ⁠ ⁠ In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup water over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and the serrano chili and cook for another 5 minutes. ⁠ ⁠ Add the tomatoes and cook until they start to release their juices, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the beans to the skillet and mash them with a potato masher until you get a thick puree. If needed, add a bit more of the bean broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

We know you’ve probably heard this before: We should be eating more beans. ⁠ ⁠ This is true for a number of reasons—but how do we go about doing so in a way that doesn’t get repetitive or even worse... boring? ⁠ ⁠ At the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine (ICNM), we caught up with dietitian Maya Bach on the red carpet. ⁠ ⁠ There she talked to us about different ways we can go about getting more beans into our diets! ⁠ ⁠ 🎤 Red Carpet Nutrition features quick health insights from the physicians, researchers, dietitians, and more—both speakers and attendees alike—from ICNM. ⁠ ⁠ Why the red carpet? Because health information deserves the spotlight! ⁠ ⁠ 🎟️ If you’d like to hear directly from experts like Maya, join us at the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine. ⁠ ⁠ Comment “Red Carpet!” and we’ll direct message you a link to learn more information and the discount code. The first 100 people to use the code will get $100 off the already-discounted early-bird registration.

Nutrition research isn’t just about theories—it’s about testing real-world solutions that can improve people’s health. ⁠ ⁠ At the Physicians Committee, Dr. Hana Kahleova and her team conduct randomized clinical trials to explore an important question: How can diet help prevent and manage chronic disease? ⁠ ⁠ From diabetes to autoimmune conditions, this research helps doctors better understand how different dietary patterns affect health—and gives patients evidence-based tools they can use in their everyday lives. ⁠ ⁠ Watch to learn how clinical research works and why these studies are so important for advancing nutrition science. ⁠ ⁠ #NutritionScience #ClinicalResearch #PlantBasedMedicine #PreventiveMedicine

When food prices are high, affordability matters. For many people, low-cost food is not a preference—it’s a necessity. Recently, McDonald’s introduced a nationwide “McValue” menu with items priced under $3 and bundled meals for $4–$6. It’s easy to see why options like these appeal to people looking for quick, low-cost meals. At the same time, when meals like these become defaults in people’s lives, it’s worth looking at the bigger nutrition picture. Here we take a closer look at the typical nutrition profile of many fast-food value items and highlight some other low-cost meal ideas that can support both affordability and nutrition. Food choices don’t happen in a vacuum. Cost, time, convenience, and access all shape what ends up on our plates. Our goal here is to look at “value” from a wider lens—and to share a few ideas that can support both affordability and nutrition. What are your go-to low-cost meals or snacks that are quick, filling, and nourishing? Want to learn more? Comment “value” and we’ll send you our news release.