Presented by: Mark Rudich, MS, RDN
Disclosures: None

1.0 CEUs: AACVPR, AMA, CDR, ANCC, AARC, ACSM

Description: Nutrition plays a critical role in supporting recovery, symptom management, and overall health outcomes in both cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. This presentation, recorded at the 2026 Annual Meeting, will explore how a plant-forward eating pattern can serve as a practical, evidence-based strategy to improve rehabilitation success. We will review the research linking plant-forward nutrition to better patient outcomes, discuss key nutrition considerations specific to pulmonary disease, examine common barriers to dietary change, and highlight realistic counseling techniques and goal-setting strategies that can help patients build sustainable, long-term habits.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the role of plant-forward nutrition in supporting cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
2. Review the evidence linking plant-forward eating patterns to improved patient outcomes.
3. Identify pulmonary-specific nutrition considerations that may impact rehabilitation and quality of life.
4. Recognize common barriers to adopting a plant-forward eating pattern and apply practical counseling and goal-setting strategies to support sustainable behavior change.