When Molly Maloof was a new doctor in residence at a major medical institution in a pediatric cancer ward, she was struck by how frequently the sick children were given sugar-laden cookies and cakes. When she asked her supervisor if the meals could be changed to include more fresh and healthy foods, she was told she was a “dreamer” and she should keep her head down and her mouth shut.

She took that as a sign, and now Maloof prescribes food before pills. She works with Silicon Valley tech firms to optimize employee nutrition, advises food companies on marketing, and promotes better food as the solution to preventing a host of health problems for everyone.

I caught up with her recently