What You’ll Learn

Course Objectives:

Through plenary lectures, culinary demonstrations, hands-on kitchen sessions, interactive workshops, and meals and tastings, attendees will achieve the following learning objectives:

• Summarize what we know about opportunities to optimize our diets based on the current state of the science, as well as current and likely future public health costs of inaction.
• Provide sufficient information to allow attendees to intelligently distinguish various popular diets, and to advise patients and clients based on the research associated with these diets.
• Provide state of the science updates pertaining to dietary fats, carbohydrates, protein, and the foods and beverage that relate to these findings.
• Provide pragmatic information that enables conference attendees to thoughtfully advise patients, clients, and consumers about healthy menu strategies for dining at home and away from home.
• Provide multiple opportunities for attendees to see, taste, and make a variety of healthy food and beverage options.
• Engage executives from insurance companies, hospitals, educational organizations, retirement facilities, and the military to discuss successful strategies whereby health-promoting, nutrient-rich menu options can be made increasingly available to the general public.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand American culinary trends, and how to leverage consumer interest in world flavors and the plant-based, health-promoting cuisines of Asia, Latin America, and the Mediterranean.
• Discuss cost and lifestyle issues related to healthy food shopping, cooking, and eating—and approaches to healthy diets that can be affordable for lower income individuals and budget-challenged families.
• Prepare a variety of healthy food options, including salads, whole grains, lean proteins, and vegetarian dishes.
• Discuss strategies for healthy cooking and eating that are fast, easy, approachable, and affordable.
• Present to patients, clients, and colleagues the critical importance of regular movement/exercise and mindfulness with regard to dietary food choices and weight management.
• Identify credible resources including newsletters, websites, and other online resources related to nutrition, weight-management, and flavorful, healthy cuisine.

Culinary Nutrition Goals

During the four-day course, participants are exposed to information that reinforces the following culinary nutrition goals:

• Choose healthier carbohydrates.
• Choose healthier proteins.
• Choose healthier fats.
• Choose better beverages.
• Develop weekly menus.
• Use the “Plate Method” to plan meals.
• Be mindful of portion size.
• Look for opportunities to reduce sodium intake.
• Slow down, and be more mindful when choosing and enjoying food.
• When possible, choose the more sustainable option.

In summary, attendees will learn the requisite knowledge and skills that will help them better motivate their patients (and themselves!) to adopt more healthful shopping, cooking, and eating habits and behaviors.