New cookery course aims to make healthy food easy

By Geraldine Fitzgerald

If, like most of us, you’re totally into the idea of eating well but honestly do not have a clue how to go about it, then this course is for you.

We’re bombarded with constantly changing messages about food. Organic is good; carbs are the spawn of the devil; chocolate is great. No; it’s a killer. No, wait- it’s great again and boosts serotonin. Ah, whatever; I’ll just throw on a few sausages.

Healthy Food Made Easy is a six-week nutrition and cookery course developed by community dieticians, aimed at helping people of all ages to make affordable healthier choices when shopping, cooking and eating.

It is designed to help your wallet, your eating habits and even improve many diet-related health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even cancer. All weeks include an educational element following by a cookery section, and sessions last about two hours.

Cork Sports Partnership through the WellComm Active Initiative are taking applications from community groups and members of the community for the Healthy Food Made Easy programme, but it can also be done online.

The practical sessions focus on healthy eating on a budget and preparing simple family foods. There is group participation in the cookery/cook along session and participants are encouraged to try the recommended recipes out at home. A community dietitian will be on hand to provide input and to answer any specific dietary questions.

Session 1– Building a Food Pyramid (introducing healthy eating guidelines)

Session 2 – The Fibre Providers (Fibre in cereals, fruit and vegetables)

Session 3 – Focus on Fats (learning about the good & bad fats)

Session 4 – Food for Life (family eating, children’s diets)

Session 5 – Shop Smart (Shopping on a budget, food labelling)

Session 6 – The Road Ahead (planning long term changes in eating habits)