Cooking Class Teaches Knox Middle School Students Healthy Eating

Feeding San Diego is hosting a series of healthy cooking classes, as part of the Feeding Excellence program, to teach students about health and nutrition. The classes include hands-on training and cooking demonstrations targeted at improving the health of clients at specific distribution sites.

The most recent Healthy Cook classes have taken place at Knox Middle School, located southeast of downtown San Diego with students ranging in age from 10–14. The classes are taught by Feeding San Diego interns in three parts, focusing on different health subjects during each session.

1. 1. MyPlate
      The purpose of this lesson is to teach students about adding the proper amount of each food group to their plates. This includes a balance of vegetables, protein, grains, and fruits. At the end of the class, the students taste an example of a balanced plate: Tuna Salad Pita Pocket. This tuna salad is packed with mixed greens, raisins, apples, whole wheat pita, and tuna.
   2. Protein
      The second lesson of the Healthy Cook program emphasizes making heart-healthy protein choices. Students learn how some proteins such as fish, eggs, and pork are better for your well-being than fried chicken wings, hot dogs, and bacon.
   3. Sugar
      For the final lesson in this program, students learn about reading labels, the body’s response to sugar, and how to reduce added sugar in their life. The interns whip up a yogurt fruit salad at the end of the session to show students that alternate sugar choices can taste great!