More children and teenagers eat meals and snacks away from home and family. Encouraging teens to help prepare food and clean up can help busy families manage their time. Teens learn essential cooking skills and have fun, too. Cooking promotes creativity and allows teens to establish good eating behaviors that will last a lifetime. (Now You're Cookin': Meals with Help from Teens! (FN706, Reviewed August 2021) Publication File: Now You're Cookin'! Meals with Help from Teens. Lead Author: Julie Garden Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., Food and Nutrition Specialist, Sarah M. Wells, Former Dietetic Intern)

The Nutrition Education Program Assistant met monthly with Taylor County High Culinary classes to teach teenagers basic skills from Teen Cuisine, a nutrition curriculum. Students practiced knife skills, food safety practices, reading labels, and My Plate as a basis for healthy eating. Simple recipes from the curriculum and KY Nutrition Education Program website: Plan Eat Move included Amazing Pancakes for measuring skills, Easy Stir Fry for knife skills, and Breakfast Pizza for the importance of eating breakfast. Some students related that while the culinary class helped them prepare for a career in food services, such as Servesafe certification, it didn't help them prepare for independent living. They felt the classes helped them think of ways they could eat healthier independently.

Ninety-two students completed the series of 7 classes.  85% (78 of 92) Children and youth improved their abilities to choose foods according to Federal Dietary Recommendations or gain knowledge. 77% (68 of 88) of children and youth use safe food handling practices more often or gain knowledge. 51% (46 of 91) of children and youth improved their physical activity practices or gained knowledge. 58% (51 of 88) of children and youth improved their ability to prepare simple, nutritious, affordable food or gain knowledge.