The BALM Protocol is integral to the course taught at The Sourdough School because it addresses the complex system of baking, eating, and sharing bread in a way that promotes health, well-being, and environmental sustainability. It simplifies this complex system by focusing on 7 core principles, which are grounded in evidence-based practices and the six pillars of lifestyle medicine.
By teaching the BALM Protocol, The Sourdough School provides students with a gold standard framework for creating and consuming bread that nourishes both the body and the mind while also supporting the environment. This holistic approach to bread-making ensures that students learn how to create bread that can prevent, treat, or modify non-communicable chronic diseases while also empowering positive change at various levels within the food system.
The BALM Protocol can be applied by individuals through prescription courses, by healthcare professionals such as GP’s, and by bakeries, as well as used to influence Population Health Management through industrial applications. By teaching the BALM Protocol, The Sourdough School enables students to understand the importance of each component, from using diverse Botanical Blend flours and fermentation techniques to promoting healthy eating habits and reducing the consumption of sugar and ultra-processed foods.
In summary, the BALM Protocol is an essential part of the course taught at The Sourdough School because it provides a comprehensive and evidence-based framework for baking, eating, and sharing bread that benefits physical and mental health and supports environmental sustainability. By learning and implementing the BALM Protocol, students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to create bread that nourishes and empowers positive change within the food system.
Further reading:
Further resources in Lifestyle Medicine:
- British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM)
- European Lifestyle Medicine Council (ELMC)
- American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM)
- Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM)
- International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM)
These organisations promote the use of lifestyle medicine for the prevention, treatment, and management of lifestyle-related diseases. They provide resources, training, and support to healthcare professionals and individuals interested in adopting lifestyle medicine practices.
