PEPPER PIKE, Ohio – People heal better when they eat well, says Lu-Jean Feng, a microvascular plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and founder of FengClinic in Pepper Pike.
That observation isn’t new. Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine and ancient Greek philosopher is quoted as saying, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Many people agree that today’s industrial food system has strayed from that adage. Feng wants to see a culinary revolution.
“There has to be an overhaul of the American food system to be health conscious and prevent chronic disease,” says Feng. Rather than preach the change she wants to see, she’s working to make the change.
“I want to feed the community with healthy food,” she says.
That’s why she introduced FengFit Foods, a collection of plant-based soups, salads, dressings, entrees, smoothies and snacks. These are created to be nutrient-dense and anti-inflammatory.
Originally available only to patients of and staff at the clinic, packaged items are now accessible to the public. They can be purchased from a vending machine in the lobby at the back of FengClinic and at Heinen’s stores in Pepper Pike, Chagrin Falls and Bainbridge.
These prepared foods are made with vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, natural condiments, sea vegetables, and soy products. They are free of animal products, refined sugars, white flours, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and dairy products.
Currently, 50 percent of sales are salad, with Dr. Feng’s Signature Salad as most popular. The one-pound, single serving includes hydroponically grown, local red and green lettuces, carrots, chickpeas, edamame, cucumbers, red and yellow peppers, apples, dates and almonds. It comes with Apple Blossom Dressing made from a soy-free vegan mayo, apple cider, apple cider vinegar and light brown sugar.
Other salads are arugula and roasted tofu and Asian crunch salad. Dressing options include Asian sesame, champagne vinaigrette, vegan ranch, poppyseed and more.
Entries include veggie burger, roasted cauliflower stead, vegetable stir fry and more.
The most popular snack is the rainbow chia seed parfait. The superfood cranberry crunch bar has recently been updated with better ingredients.
Eating right is especially important after surgery Feng says because people who eat nutrient-dense food, not fatty meats and other unhealthy foods, heal better. These foods can be prepared at home or made easy with the FengFit line.
“Eat whole food, vegetables and clean protein sources, not saturated fats,” she suggests. For beef that might be low-fat filet mignon, or better yet, wild-caught seafood.
What you put into your body is just as important as what you don’t. Feng says wine and CBD make patients bleed more. So she suggests avoiding them before surgery.
As distribution expands FengFit Foods is opening a 9,000-square-foot kitchen in Solon to expand production.
The FengClinic is at 31200 Pinetree Road, Pepper Pike.
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