Integrative Health and Culinary Medicine Program
CHOC is leading the way in pediatric integrative health — including the innovative approach of culinary medicine — to advance healing, wellness, and nutrition-based therapies through clinical excellence, research, and education. Unlike many hospitals, we don’t treat holistic care as an add-on; it’s part of our standard of care for children with gastrointestinal conditions.
As the only hospital in the region to provide pediatric-focused integrative medicine since 2002, CHOC offers a full range of evidence-based therapies for GI conditions, including acupuncture, hypnotherapy, massage, and mind-body practices. These services are delivered by licensed experts in traditional Chinese medicine, pediatric psychologists, child life specialists, and other pediatric-trained providers who work together to manage symptoms, reduce stress, and support each child’s overall well-being.
A key part of our Integrative Health Program is Culinary Medicine, which combines evidence-based dietary strategies and medical knowledge with hands-on culinary skills and nutrition education. This helps families understand how to use “food as medicine” to manage and prevent digestive disorders. Our goal is to empower children and their families to make informed food choices that support gut health, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life. This collaborative program brings together pediatric gastroenterologists, registered dietitians, and chefs to develop practical, nutritious, and enjoyable meal plans that accommodate each child’s medical and dietary needs.
By blending pediatric integrative health and culinary medicine into one coordinated program, we create an optimal environment for children to heal, grow, and thrive.
What We Treat:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Functional abdominal pain/ Disorders of Gut Brain Interaction (DGBI)
- Rumination Syndrome
Services and treatments are individually tailored to the specific needs of your child and are updated to best respond to changes in a patient’s gastrointestinal condition. Ask your doctor if it would be appropriate for integrative health treatments to be added to your child’s care.
