Families in the Kitchen… Cook Together, Eat Together

Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables is an essential behavior for health and disease prevention. It is also one of the more difficult eating behaviors to change.  Studies show that eating and preparing more meals at home and eating together as a family helps to encourage healthier habits. 

Attempting to increase healthier eating habits in Trimble County Kentucky, the Oldham County Senior Nutrition Education Program Assistant partnered with the Trimble County Family and Consumer Science Agent to teach Families in the Kitchen…Cook Together, Eat Together curriculum.  7 families graduated, with a total of 15 participants, met weekly for the 7 lessons.  Budgeting tips, nutrition guidelines, reading food labels, and preparing healthy recipes were a part of the weekly lessons.

At the conclusion of the program:

*80% of participants increased daily fruit consumption

*83% of participants increased daily vegetable consumption 

*80% showed that they tried different kinds of vegetables daily

Families indicated that they were now trying new foods and that their children were more encouraged to try new vegetables.  One participant reported that it was fun to have more “Family Time” around the table.