Women's Wellness Workshop 2009

Keynote Address

Food as Medicine: Eating Your Way to a Healthier You

The foods you eat can influence your risk for chronic diseases. The study of diet typically focuses on discussions about protein, carbohydrate and fat. However, for each of these nutrients, there are food sources that promote health, those that increase the risk of chronic diseases and those that seem to have little effect on disease risk. This talk will discuss which foods can help decrease your risk of chronic diseases and which foods can contribute to an increased risk of disease. Flynn will also discuss the plant-based olive oil diet, which is composed primarily of foods that will improve health and can be used for long-term weight management.

Mary M. Flynn, PhD, RD, LDN, currently holds the positions of outpatient nutritionist at Lifespan, and supervisor and chief research dietitian at The Miriam Hospital. She is also assistant professor of medicine at Brown University, as well as an instructor at the University of Rhode Island.

A native of Providence, Flynn received a bachelor of science degree in nutrition at the University of Rhode Island, a master's degree in nutrition at the University of Maryland, and a doctoral degree in nutrition at the University of Rhode Island.

She has been the recipient of several grants: one to compare a plant-based olive oil diet to a conventional diet in women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer after the age of 50 for improvement in biomarkers and weight loss; one to compare a Mediterranean diet with a conventional diet for metabolic improvement in patients with type 2 diabetes; and one to compare a Mediterranean diet with a NCEP Step II diet for weight loss and metabolic improvement. She has been published extensively regarding her research work on the role of diet in maintaining health and preventing disease.

Flynn's work forms the basis for The Miriam Hospital's Mary Meals, which are made with ingredients that studies have shown will reduce risk factors for chronic diseases. The meals are calorie controlled and contain extra virgin olive oil, at least two servings of healthy vegetables and two to three servings of starch, usually in the form of whole grains and/or legumes (beans).

Find out more

Call 401-444-4800 or 1-800-927-1230 to register for this event or register online or by mail. The daylong event costs $30, which includes lunch ($35 after September 18). Fees are non-refundable.

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