November’s Focus: Teaching Nutrition and Cooking Skills
This month Bluestones Medical Complex care is going to have an exciting new focus – teaching nutrition and cooking skills to the young people.
Over the next few weeks, we will be covering various nutrition topics – reading nutrition labels, understanding nutrients, identifying healthy vs. unhealthy foods, learning about dietary requirements, etc. We will discuss how nutrition impacts energy levels, weight, risk for chronic illnesses, and other aspects of health.
In addition to learning about nutrition, we will also be gaining hands-on cooking skills! Each week, we will cook simple recipes with our young people, practicing measuring ingredients, using kitchen tools safely, timing different steps of recipes, and of course, tasting the finished products. Our hope is that by the end of the month, each teen will have gained broader knowledge of nutrition, as well as confidence in their ability to prepare simple, healthy meals.
Cooking home cooked meals has many benefits.
Save money – Preparing food at home is generally cheaper than eating out. You can buy ingredients in bulk and make multiple meals. Home cooking allows you to splurge on fresh ingredients.
Knowledge of ingredients – Cooking at home allows you to control exactly what goes into your food. You can avoid harmful additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients found in processed foods. Knowing what you eat helps you make informed choices.
Portion control – It’s easier to control portion sizes with home cooked meals versus restaurant servings. Appropriate portions help maintain a healthy weight.
Save money – Preparing food at home is generally cheaper than eating out. You can buy ingredients in bulk and make multiple meals. Home cooking allows you to splurge on fresh ingredients.
Enjoyment – Many people find cooking at home to be an enjoyable, creative outlet. Sharing home cooked meals also brings family and friends together.
Food safety – You have greater oversight of food handling, cooking temperatures, storage, and preparation when cooking at home. This decreases the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Develop skills – Home cooking allows you to learn valuable culinary skills like knife handling, cooking methods, and flavour combinations that can become lifelong hobbies.
Mastering nutrition and cooking are such an invaluable skillset for these young children as they approach adulthood. It lays the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits and self-care. We look forward to a fun, engaging month of building their knowledge, confidence, and independence in the kitchen!
