The Food Your Body and Mind Really Need (And Most Americans Are Missing) - Dr. Albin

By Ana Cruz - Founder and Chief Editor

In this week’s episode of The Ana Cruz Show, Ana Cruz sits down with Dr. Jaclyn Albin, a pediatrician and internal medicine physician based in Dallas, whose work bridges the gap between medicine, food, and everyday life. After years of seeing patients struggle with the same questions about nutrition and health, Dr. Albin pursued additional training in culinary and lifestyle medicine. A proud granddaughter of farmers, she brings both science and tradition to her work, teaching patients, medical students, and even her own family how preparing fresh, nourishing food can play a powerful role in preventing disease.

During the conversation, Ana and Dr. Albin explore the basics: what food truly is, what nourishment means, and why so many Americans are missing essential foods on their plates. They discuss how this absence has real consequences, affecting how our bodies function and contributing to the rise of chronic illnesses. From diabetes to depression, Dr. Albin explains the strong connection between what we eat and how we feel—both physically and mentally—and how poor nutrition is fueling diseases that are becoming increasingly common.

The episode also takes a critical look at processed foods and the systems behind them, including the roles of government, the food industry, and the pharmaceutical industry. Rather than leaving listeners feeling powerless, Dr. Albin offers practical guidance on what we can do: small, realistic changes to improve our health and transform the way we fuel our bodies. This conversation is a reminder that food is not just calories or convenience—it is information for our cells, medicine for our bodies, and a key tool for building a healthier future.

Check out more of Dr. Albin’s work on her LinkedIn page.

Here are some delicious recipes from the culinarymedicine.org and a podcast on culinary medicine to learn more!