College students graduating and moving out on their own face a myriad of new opportunities and challenges. The Campbell County nutrition assistant recently had the opportunity to work with a group of six students who were trying to learn how to eat well and stick to a budget without the safety net of the school cafeteria or food from mom’s kitchen. These students excelled in school but like many young people living on their own for the first time, they were getting low scores in cooking and grocery shopping. This situation called for an accelerated lesson in nutrition 101.

Using a hands-on approach, the participants looked at grocery ads for the most nutritionally dense foods at the lowest cost. With a focus on caloric and food group needs, they learned to plan menus and make extra food that could be frozen and reheated on busy days. One participant who had recently converted to a vegetarian diet learned the importance of getting enough protein and easy, delicious ways to meet those special needs.

As a result of the program, 67% of participants reported that they ran out of food less often, improved the use of a shopping list, thawed food in a safe manner and consumed more fruits and vegetables.