Success StoryLearning How to Prepare Healthy Affordable Meals



Learning How to Prepare Healthy Affordable Meals

Author: Benita Wade

Planning Unit: Christian County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome


With the cost of groceries continuing to rise, many people with limited resources have a hard time eating healthy while staying within their food budget.  

The Christian County Nutrition Education Program Assistant taught food resource management practices from the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum to an adult therapeutic rehabilitation group. Healthy Affordable Meals was one topic covered and others included Food Safety, Reading Food Labels, Healthy Cooking, Fruits & Vegetables and Better Beverages. The assistant also discussed the importance of physical activity to be healthy.

Based on pre and post lesson surveys, 100% of the group showed improvement in 1 or more food resource management practices with 88% budgeting enough for food purchases and 56% comparing food prices and checking sales more often before shopping and in stores. Diet quality increased with 100% of participants showing improvement in one or more indicators such as eating more fruits and vegetables and cooking dinner at home.

In addition, 78% of participants showed improvement in physical activity behaviors and food safety practices.