BOSTON — Eating healthy in the new year is a goal many of us strive to achieve, but too often we get frustrated and fall back into old habits. .
The team at Massachusetts General Brigham is trying to change that by offering free cooking classes, demonstrating a “food is medicine” approach. Our cooking classes and dietary education classes help improve the lifestyle habits of patients with chronic diseases.
At the Mass General Teaching Kitchen in Libya, a pilot program called NuCook is teaching cooking classes virtually. The goal is to teach patients and everyone who logs in how to prepare and cook food that leads to a sustainable and healthy lifestyle.
Working with Dr. Susan Hellerstein, Dr. Jacob Mirsky was able to use her NuCook virtual program to spread knowledge beyond his patients.
“We learn algebra, we learn how to read, we learn science, but we don't learn how to cook,” said Dr. Jacob Mirsky, medical director of Mass General Revere Food Pantry and Teaching Kitchen. Told. “We haven't learned how to eat food in a way that truly nourishes our minds, brains, and bodies. That's a shame, because eating itself is the most basic thing we can do. “Because it's one of the most important things to do mentally and physically,” Mirsky added.
“Food is medicine,” says Dr. Susan Hellerstein, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology and women's health. “And it should be part of any treatment plan,” Hellerstein says.
Hellerstein says more than 60 percent of Americans have some kind of chronic disease, many of which are diet-related.
“So changing someone's diet or approach to eating and cooking can change the incidence of disease,” Dr. Hellerstein says. “It helps prevent the disease. It can be part of the treatment and can make a big difference in long-term outcomes.”
Chef and cooking coach Laura Klein not only teaches you how to cook, but also teaches you the skills you need to be more efficient.
“The biggest hurdle is time,” Klein said. “You know, guys, they don't have time. They're busy. They're working. They have kids. They just can't fit in. So what we want to do is is about giving them the tools.”
Plant-based recipes are affordable and easy for families because they create enough food that can be reused for two to three other meals a week.
Since going to a food pantry and taking a cooking class, Lissy Guerrero has been able to lose weight and share her healthy eating habits with others.
“They love it,” Guerrero said. “Especially my little one. She's six years old and she loves it. And you're learning and eating something that's good for you.”
“Learning to cook healthy meals at home doubles this great benefit because food is a shared part of our lives and patients spread that education to their friends and family,” Dr. Mirsky said. said.
The hope is that NuCook's pilot program will spread to many others and impact the meals they create in their kitchens.
“We want to make sure they don't feel like they have to sacrifice what they want to eat, but maybe we can find a way to prepare it in a healthier way,” Hellerstein said. said the doctor.
As a result, I was able to lose a few pounds while spending more time with family and friends.
“As a wellness coach, it warms my heart to hear about people losing weight, lowering their A1C levels, or making major changes to their overall lifestyle,” Klein said. “So even after just five weeks of taking the class, they see changes in their lifestyle. And a year later, I'm still talking to these people and they're seeing changes in their lifestyle. So it's really amazing that you can take control of your health just by changing your diet,” Klein added.
The NuCook program is funded by philanthropy. Classes are online and available to anyone who logs in for free. The recipe can be found here.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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