Cook with your grandchildren (it’s important!)

There’s a lot of disheartening news coming out about how much children have struggled throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

(We all knew it was going to happen, and we’re now seeing the ramifications.)

In fact, there was a recent groundbreaking story in the New York Times about the steep rise in eating disorders in young adults, stemming from the unforeseen disruptions in how we live our lives.

This is a topic that’s near and dear to my heart. Even my first book was “Feed Your Kids Well” because I fully believe that if you set kids up to be successful, many of them will try to succeed.

They just need the tools.

Well, I recently learned about an amazing program that addresses parental concerns regarding poor nutrition and a lack of cooking skills among youth.

It highlights the importance of making home-cooked meals with our younger loved ones. And I couldn’t wait to share the details…

Flint Families Cook program  

A team of chefs, dietitians, and researchers out of Flint, Michigan, started a program called Flint Families Cook amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This program demonstrates self-sufficiency in cooking, teaches the importance of nutrition, and encourages self-motivation for consuming healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables.

Targeting school-aged children, between the ages of eight to 18 years, this program launched with a mission to help our youth in the kitchen.

It was so successful, in fact, that it continues now as an after-school activity. Of course, families can access virtual classes in the comfort of their own homes, too.

When it first rolled out, families were given access to 7.5 hours of live, virtual cooking instruction over five weeks from a chef, including how to use knives, properly measure, sauté, roast, and bake. In addition, a dietitian focused on the nutrition and health benefits of each ingredient.

As a result, parents become much more invested in cooking healthy meals together with their children, using locally sourced ingredients. (Sound familiar?)

The ease, enjoyment of cooking

It’s for these same reasons that I started my Cooking with Dr. Fred Show. (Follow me on YouTube and Instagram.)

I wanted to show people how relatively easy it is to cook. Because it’s NOT impossible, no matter what your skill level.

Rather, it can be an enjoyable endeavor—one that perhaps takes your mind off of the chaos that surrounds us in the age of coronavirus.

Plus, you’ll learn how to be flexible. Some ingredients aren’t as readily available as they once were because of pandemic shortages. But that just presents a creative opportunity for you in the kitchen.

To tell you the truth, I learned how to cook when I lived somewhere where the food supply was iffy. You just never knew what was going to be in stock, so you made decisions on the fly. It’s the best way to learn—sort of like being a medical resident. Our motto being: See one, do one, teach one.

So, start experimenting in the kitchen TODAY. Better yet? Invite your grandchildren over for a fun night “in.” It will be time and energy well spent.

Until next time,

Dr. Fred

P.S. P.S. This Sunday, June 26th at 3:00 p.m. (EDT), I’ll be hosting my Disease-Fighting Masterclass. During this exclusive event, I’ll disclose a start-to-finish plan for fighting the deadliest diseases plaguing America—Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and more. Click here now to reserve your FREE spot!

Source:

“Virtual cooking class improves children’s nutrition knowledge.” EurekAlert, 04/07/2022. (eurekalert.org/news-releases/948407)

“Flint Kids Cook — MSU Community Collaboration.” Michigan State University, 10/03/2018. (canr.msu.edu/news/flint-kids-cook-msu-community-collaboration)

“Eating Disorders in Teens Have ‘Exploded’ in the Pandemic.” The New York Times, 04/28/2021. (nytimes.com/2021/04/28/well/family/teens-eating-disorders.html)