About

An early passion for food

In Dr. Blake’s family, food is a joyful centerpiece, a sentiment he sees in many of his patients. The Cooking Doc was born from this shared passion, combining flavor and science to offer kidney-Healthy recipes that make healthy eating enjoyable.

Nephrology practice and patient care

Dr. Blake Shusterman, known as The Cooking Doc, is a board-certified nephrologist practicing at Carolina Nephrology in Greenville, SC. As a partner at Carolina Nephrology and Medical Director of several dialysis units, Dr. Shusterman oversees comprehensive kidney care, including in-center, peritoneal, and home hemodialysis. He also serves on the board of the Carolina Kidney Alliance and trains future nephrologists as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the USC School of Medicine.

The birth of The Cooking Doc

Medical school taught Dr. Blake the science of nephrology, but real-world experience in South Carolina revealed how lifestyle and food choices impact kidney health. A lifelong cooking enthusiast, he created The Cooking Doc to blend medical expertise with simple, flavorful recipes, empowering people to make nutrition both achievable and enjoyable.

Combining medicine with culinary skills

Combining a career in medicine with a love of home cooking, The Cooking Doc empowers people to take an active role in their own health by stepping into the kitchen. Based on science and packed with flavor, his range of simple recipes inspire home cooks to change their diet, retrain their taste buds, and transform their health.

A doctor in the kitchen

The Cooking Doc makes healthy eating achievable, impactful, and delicious. Medical doctor and social media chef Dr. Blake Shusterman translates the science of nutrition into small, everyday changes that can retrain your taste buds and transform your health in just a few weeks.

A new generation of doctors

Medical training often overlooks nutrition, leaving doctors to offer vague advice without practical steps. Dr. Blake’s goal is to inspire a new generation of doctors to provide recipes, cooking lessons, and actionable guidance, empowering patients to improve their health through food.

I feel better when I eat the right foods. Food is Fuel.

I really enjoyed the details on how key ingredients will affect renal function and overall nutrition. The writing style is conversational and easy to understand -- not overly complicated. The recipes and directions really help elevate your culinary skills to the next level using everyday fresh ingredients at reasonable prices. I feel better when I eat the right foods. Food is Fuel.

Susan D.

Tasty foods that the whole family can actually enjoy

I have been following the doc on YouTube, and don't usually buy cookbooks. The doc has a really down to earth, easy to understand writing style and his recipes are basic tasty foods that the whole family can actually enjoy… His advice is sound. Good investment.

Shortsurket

Eating healthy never looked so good!

With recipes that range from sweet to savory and will take you from appetizer to dessert, healthy cooking takes the main stage...This delightful cookbook is full of stunning photographs and lovely illustrations; valuable, practical information about kidney health, and tantalizing, tasty go-to recipes...The Cooking Doc has done it - eating healthy never looked so good!

James Beard Award-winning Cookbook author Virginia Willis

Cooking healthy will make you healthier

I always tell my patients that what they eat is 100-fold more important than the pills I give them...Cooking healthy will make you healthier and this book will open the door to a new way of life.

Holly Kramer, MD, MPH. President, National Kidney Foundation, and Nephrologist

Wonderful tools and rules to follow for better health

Dr. Blake answers the question our patients always ask, "What can I actually eat?" He explains the crucial role of diet in management of chronic disease, providing wonderful tools and rules to follow for better health.

Jason Eckel, MD. Nephrologist, North Carolina Nephrology

Compassionate physician

Blake Shusterman, MD is a compassionate physician who shares his love of food and cooking in his journey to introduce healthy and flavorful recipes for his patients and readers.

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