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the MB-EAT (mindfulness-based eat- ing awa reness tra ining) curricu lum, a der ivat ive of t he M B SR prog ra m . MB-EAT dea ls specif ica lly with the issues of maladaptive eating behaviors, which contribute a significant burden to many of the overweight and obese patients Dr. Sigal encounters. Emotional eating can be among the most stress-inducing behaviors in many people's lives. " Food is t he most com mon ly sel f- prescribed medication when it comes to stress," Dr. Siga l expla ins. "At some point, even the hea lthiest food is coun- ter productive if it is bei ng m isused. One's relationsh ip to food a nd one's own body ca n cause a lifetime of pa in a nd suffering." A NEW PRACTICE A nd so the path was set for Dr. Siga l to sta r t a new practice, Nourish Hea lth With Food For Life, LLC, a nutrition a nd lifest yle medicine center located in Peabody, Massachusetts. At the core of t he practice a re courses taug ht at the off ice, with Dr. Siga l as the teacher. " We know from ma ny studies, that t he g r oup e x p er ienc e i s e x t r eme ly successf u l in reinforcing new habits a nd providing a unique a nd suppor tive lea rning environment," she says. Dr. Siga l teaches nutrition courses in a consta ntly repeating cycle. In addition to the nutrition courses (A New Beginning, Beat Back Cancer, Defy Diabetes), which cover the benef its of a whole foods, pla nt-based, minima lly processed diet for disease prevention, a rrest a nd reversa l, Dr. Siga l teaches mindfulness-based stress management and eating awareness training courses. But a lthough she has embraced the role of teacher, Dr. Siga l still ma inta ins a n equa lly impor ta nt role as physicia n. " Ma ny clients who understa nd the b en e f it s a n d w a nt t o em br a c e t h e l i fest yle need close mon itor i n g a nd super vision when medications need to be adjusted," Dr. Siga l explains. "These clients a re seen by me one-on-one, a s reg ula r patients would be. "A nyone ca n come a nd ta ke a ny of the courses; in fact, most people ta ke more tha n one. But those who wish to see me as patients a re required to ta ke one of the courses, depending on their medica l needs, since this education is key to success a nd ca nnot be provided one-on-one." The clients who seek Dr. Siga l's medi- cal expertise are often complex — cancer patients, patients w it h autoim mune disorders on powerful immunosuppres- sive drugs, patients with long-standing chronic bowel problems that have defied therapy in the past, just to na me a few. A nd, of course, Dr. Siga l meets w it h pat ient s who s t r u g g le w it h wei g ht , c a r d i o v a s c u l a r d i s e a s e a n d T y p e 2 diabetes. "I do not replace the PCP or their other specialists in any form or fashion. On the contrary, I collaborate. I also take a lot of time with the patient." Indeed, the first encounter typically lasts 90 minutes or more and occurs only after the client has completed a 16-page question- naire for Dr. Sigal to review. Follow-up visits last between 30 a nd 45 minutes. "Keeping food journa ls is ex tremely impor ta nt," Dr. Siga l ex pla ins. " They Lifestyle medicine has rapidly gained traction over the last few years and is becoming increasingly mainstream. Mona Sigal, MD, is able to work with most major health insurance carriers in Massachusetts. a l low me t o a n a ly z e a nd c or r e c t a patient 's dieta r y habits, w ith high ly disease-specific input. On the patient's end, food journa ls encourage mindful- ness a nd awa reness, which of ten has profound e˜ects on the client. "Initially, some patients need frequent follow-ups. Coaching patients in ma k- ing sustainable changes is the key. The beauty of this approach is that patients learn tools and become independent and self-motivated. The relationship they have with me is relatively short-term. Some li ke to have refreshers a f ter a while, but most a re on their way a nd do great." T h i s yea r, D r. Si ga l i s l au nch i n g the practice's first live, online nutri- tion course, which will a llow patients who ca n not ma ke it to t he of f ice i n person to benefit from the sa me great learning in a supportive and dynamic group environment. Ea ch cl a s s i s t wo hou r s lon g a nd consists of lectures, videos and quizzes. But the most impor ta nt a spect of the cla ss is t he cook i n g demonst ration, which happens in each class. Dr. Siga l demonstrates t wo or three recipes in each class, a nd the pa r ticipa nts get to taste a ll the foods. The online nutrition course contains the same components, without the tast- ing experience. "Once patients experience the free- dom from drugs a nd the improvement in hea lth, which usua lly ca rries w ith it weight loss, new found energ y, vigor, sta mina a nd bet ter sleep, they never wa nt to go ba ck to t he way t hey felt before. People a re empowered. " I ca n say today for t he f i rst t i me in my professiona l life that I a m truly helping people a nd ma king a rea l dif- ference in their lives. That 's why I went into medicine a ll those yea rs ago. I still have that passion." For more information about Nourish Health With Food For Life, or to refer a patient, please call 978-717- 5804 or visit www.nourishhealthforlife.com . ■ M D N E W S .C O M /// M D N E W S S O U T H O F B O S T O N ■ 2 016 1 5