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Doctors For Nutrition was delighted to host Australasia’s only lifestyle medicine symposium with a focus on whole food plant-based nutrition in November 2025.

On Saturday, 8 and Sunday, 9 November 2025, the vibrant city of Adelaide played host to the landmark Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine Symposium 2025 (NLMS25), proudly presented by Doctors For Nutrition (DFN). Held across two iconic venues—the Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building and Inparilla (Wyatt Trust)—the event attracted over 200 delegates, predominantly medical professionals, including GPs, specialists, dietitians, allied health experts, researchers and medical students, alongside community members and thought leaders. Together, they explored the transformative power of whole food plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine.

Energetic and engaging two-day experience

The atmosphere was buzzing with enthusiasm as participants eagerly absorbed the latest research and practical tools across the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: whole food plant-based eating, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections.

Saturday’s symposium featured a robust lineup of expert speakers. The program included exclusive keynote presentations by Dr Will Bulsiewicz—renowned gastroenterologist and gut health expert—and Drew Harrisberg, Exercise Physiologist and Diabetes Educator, who shared unique insights exclusively for NLMS25 attendees.

Dr Sam Gartland, a UK-trained GP, shared his inspiring personal journey with multiple sclerosis and presented on integrating lifestyle medicine pillars into clinical practice. Other notable speakers included Stephan Herzog, Executive Director of ABLM & IBLM, who discussed how diet and lifestyle help individuals thrive; Dr Nicole Lee on changing Australians’ relationship with alcohol; Dr Lisa Kennedy offering guidance through perimenopause and menopause; and Dr Kaitlin Harkess led a mindfulness meditation session.

Sponsors & exhibitors: A hub of activity and innovation

Thanks to our sponsors and supporters

Doctors For Nutrition warmly thanks all sponsors, exhibitors, and suppliers whose generous support made NLMS25 a meaningful and impactful event. We are especially grateful to our HARVEST Sponsor, Mushroom Health Science Australia, for providing credible nutrition resources about Australian mushrooms. Our SEED Sponsors, the Educated Choices Program and New Leaf SA, provided invaluable support to the event through their commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles.

The exhibitor hall was a hive of activity throughout the event, bustling with engaged attendees exploring innovative plant-based products, resources, and health coaching. Exhibitors reported an engaged and interested audience, with numerous meaningful conversations and connections made across the day.

Key exhibitors included Pure Plant Protein, makers of smooth and nutrient-dense faba bean protein powder; Phyba, innovators in gut-friendly plant protein formulations; Healthy Empire, natural, gut-friendly, and nutrient-rich foods, including smoothie mixes, bliss ball blends, and protein products; Eat Plants for Health, guided by Health Coach, Sarah Radford; and our friends at Doctors for the Environment Australia. Check out our photo gallery of the exhibition space.

These close interactions added tremendous value to the delegate experience showcasing the expanding plant-based and lifestyle medicine markets. 

Culinary Medicine workshop: Exceeding all expectations

The optional Culinary Medicine Workshop on Sunday featured DFN’s CEO Rebecca Stonor, cooking alongside Dr Lisa Kennedy and dietitian Nina Trinquet. The workshop was originally planned to welcome 45 attendees, yet the session was so popular that over 60 participants joined—underscoring the high demand for practical, hands-on learning in plant-based cooking. The workshop included preparing and tasting dishes such as scrambled tofu with fresh corn tortillas and a delectable chocolate berry porridge, deepening attendees’ knowledge and culinary skills.

International Board of Lifestyle Medicine Certification exam at NLMS25

As part of the Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine Symposium 2025, healthcare professionals had the unique opportunity to sit the prestigious International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM) Certification Exam. This internationally recognised certification distinguishes practitioners as leaders in evidence-based lifestyle medicine—a rapidly growing field focused on preventing, managing, and often reversing chronic disease through the six pillars of lifestyle medicine.

The exam, which was held on Sunday, 9 November, directly following the Culinary Medicine Workshop, is the culmination of rigorous preparation, including comprehensive online and event-based medical education. Successfully becoming an IBLM Diplomate provides healthcare professionals with enhanced credibility, career advancement opportunities, and a powerful network dedicated to transformative patient care.

Learn more about the certification program and how to take the next steps. Register now to leave plenty of time to prepare for the exam in Sydney in November 2026. Stay tuned for details!

Continuing professional development and on-demand learning

The symposium was approved for 5.5 continuing professional development (CPD)  hours by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM), enabling healthcare professionals to enhance their credentials and broaden their clinical expertise.

For those who missed sessions or wish to revisit content, full recordings will be available for on-demand access, free one-time-only for Doctors For Nutrition members, or at a fee for non-members, ensuring ongoing learning beyond the live event.

Join us in Sydney in 2026

NLMS25 was a resounding success—a vibrant platform uniting diverse stakeholders in the pursuit of disease prevention, optimal health, and sustainable living. The enthusiasm and learning ignited here will surely ripple through clinical practice, research, policy, and community life across Australasia.

With success behind us, excitement builds for the next Doctors For Nutrition Conference in Sydney in November 2026, as we continue the journey toward a world free from preventable disease where everyone can thrive and live to their full potential.

Together, we look forward to building on this foundation towards even greater impact in future events.