The Todd County Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Assistant taught the Healthy Choices for Everybody Curriculum to a group who met during lunch for 7 weeks.  The program lessons; My Plate, Keep Foods Safe, Reading Labels, Breakfast Made Easy, Eating Better on a Budget, Planning Meals, and Know the Limits were taught.  During each lesson, the program ended with an emphasis on increasing daily physical activity.

The NEP Assistant had a healthy recipe ready when group arrived. While participants tasted the recipe, the assistant taught the lesson using a power point slide show that connected the recipe to the nutrition lesson.

100% of participants showed improvement in one or more diet quality indicators and 75% showed improvement in one or more physical activity behaviors.  100% participants showed improvement in one or more food safety practices and food resource management.  Participants increased consumption of fruit by 60% and vegetables by 80% each day.

Two of the participants enjoyed the program so much, they are attending other classes offered by the Todd County NEP Assistant.  One said, “This helps to reinforce the lessons and I get to try a new recipe and see how I like it, before I have to use my grocery money.” They are sharing with friends about how the program has helped them learn to prepare healthy, budget friendly recipes that taste great.

Todd County Extension Office has Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud recipes available in the office. They visit the office for new recipes and send other friends by to get copies of their favorite recipes.

Todd County Nutrition Education Program Assistant looks forward to new Todd County residents in future classes because of this duo’s excitement for the new recipes