Culinary and Nutrition Training
At Wellspring, we believe that overweight teens and young adults need to become self-sufficient in the kitchen so that they can put their nutrition knowledge to use for the rest of their lives. Wellspring students are typically very interested in food, and we help them channel that interest in a productive direction—learning how to prepare delicious, healthy meals.
In the Culinary and Nutrition classes Wellspring students take several times each week, they learn practical information and skills that can be put to use in their everyday lives. In addition to learning to make many of the same delicious meals we eat at our Academies, students also learn about the biology of weight loss, portion control, food presentation, meal planning, recipe substitutions, and how to order low-fat options in restaurants.
The Culinary and Nutrition program at Wellspring covers topics and issues from a scientific perspective in a way in which children and young adults can relate. The curriculum includes:
- Understanding when a diet does (or does not) have a scientific basis
- The science of weight gain – why it’s so easy to gain, and so hard to lose
- The truth about portion sizes and portion control
- Reading and understanding food labels
- Dissecting fad diets – finding some kernels of science, but mostly empty promises
- How food and beverage marketers sell their products
- Understanding the fiber/fluid connection
- Identifying low-fat products
- Food and kitchen safety
- Cooking techniques such as grilling, steaming, roasting and dry sautéing
- Developing low-fat recipes
Over time, students will be responsible for planning and preparing entire meals, typically for Wellspring special events. Many alumni return home and take a leading role in preparing food for the entire family.
