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Child Nutrition and Cooking

Eating patterns that begin in childhood affect health and well-being across the lifespan. The culture of eating has changed significantly in recent decades, especially in parts of the world where processed foods dominate our dietary intake. This course examines contemporary child nutrition and the impact of the individual decisions made by each family. The health risks associated with obesity in childhood are also discussed. Participants will learn what constitutes a healthy diet for children and adults and how to prepare simple, delicious foods aimed at inspiring a lifelong celebration of easy home-cooked meals. This course will help prepare participants to be the leading health providers, teachers and parents of the present and future.The text and other material in this course may include the opinion of the specific instructor and are not statements of advice, endorsement, opinion, or information of Stanford University.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Why Home Cooking Matters

A childhood obesity epidemic is facing the USA and many developed nations. Why are so many foods processed, and what can we do to protect our families? We also explore the six basic ingredients every cook should have on hand!

What Constitutes a Balanced Meal?

Everything you need to know about what makes up a balanced meal, including fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Learn tricks for controlling portion sizes while maintaining satisfaction.

From Supermarket to Dinner Table to School

Tricks for navigating the supermarket and shop for vegetables. Why the family meal is about more than just food; how to pack a quick, healthy lunch for a child and why this is so important; how to shop for fruits and vegetables (and teach children to love them); making over our children's favorite foods, and more healthy treats.

Sustainable Eating

How to make choices that are good for you and the planet. Understand the difference between local, organic, and sustainable. Also, gardening as a way of getting children excited about fresh foods.

Labels, Allergies and Taste

What have we learned about achieving good eating habits based on enjoyment of the right foods? More tips on working with food allergies, reading nutrition labels, and understanding the elements of taste. Cooking this week: the simple stew, a basic homemade salad dressing plus a Sunday morning treat that will make the whole family smile.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Contains simple tips you can use to improve your child's nutrition

Develops your knowledge of preparing simple, delicious foods that your children will enjoy

Examines ways in which you can protect your family from processed foods

Taught by a medical professional

Explores strategies to handle working with individuals with food allergies

Course content is relevant to anyone who works with children, teaches children, or parents children

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Reviews summary

Introduction to child nutrition and cooking

Learners say this course offers a well-structured introduction to child nutrition and cooking fundamentals. Engaging assignments, such as cooking demonstrations, make the content hands-on and interactive. Expert instructors provide valuable insights, though some learners desire more in-depth information, particularly regarding meal planning and advanced cooking techniques.

Introductory course with clear structure

"This course is very basic for the most part."

"Easy to do, and it was nice to be able to spend as much or as little time on it as I wanted."

"Actually i have not started the course yet but i think it is very interesting"

Knowledgeable instructors provide valuable insights

"Great course for Americans and for beginners who didn't cook at all."

"It is good for mothers to open their eyes as the future of kids are in their hands."

"Nice course for a person from other nation"

Hands-on learning through cooking demos

"You could learn some useful stuff and adopt a few good habits."

"Ideas for everyday cooking."

"This is awesome."

Some learners desire more in-depth content

"I'd recommend this class to anyone, especially families with young children."

"Overall I feel like the class is designed for people who don't know anything about nutrition and don't really have time to prep meals."

"Great course but I need to know if I will get a certificate for this course"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Child Nutrition and Cooking with these activities:

Review the basics of nutrition

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Refresh your understanding of basic nutritional principles to ensure a strong foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Nutrition

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Read a book or online resource on basic nutrition.
Create a summary of the key concepts.

Explore cooking techniques

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Expand your cooking skills and confidence by following online tutorials that cover different cooking techniques.

Browse courses on Cooking Techniques

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Identify 3-5 cooking techniques you want to improve.
Find reputable online tutorials that demonstrate these techniques.
Practice the techniques by following the instructions in the tutorials.

Develop a meal plan for a family

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Apply your knowledge of child nutrition and family meal planning by creating a comprehensive meal plan that meets the needs of a specific family.

Browse courses on Meal Planning

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Gather information about the family's dietary needs, preferences, and schedule.
Research and select recipes that align with the family's requirements.
Create a weekly meal plan that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Provide detailed instructions and tips for preparing the meals.

Two other activities

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Support a local food bank

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Make a meaningful contribution to the community and gain practical experience by volunteering your time at a local food bank.

Browse courses on Community Involvement

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Contact local food banks and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Choose a volunteer shift that aligns with your availability.
Participate in food sorting, packing, or distribution activities.
Interact with clients and staff to learn about the challenges and solutions related to food insecurity.

Participate in online discussion forums

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Engage with other learners in online discussion forums to exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn from diverse perspectives.

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Join online discussion forums related to child nutrition and family health.
Read through existing discussions and contribute your own thoughts and experiences.
Ask questions to clarify concepts or seek advice from other participants.
Respond to the questions and comments of others, offering your insights and support.

Career center

Learners who complete Child Nutrition and Cooking will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitians work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and community health centers. They provide medical nutrition therapy to individuals and groups, and they also develop and implement nutrition education programs. This course would be helpful for Registered Dietitians because it provides a strong foundation in child nutrition and cooking. The course covers topics such as what constitutes a healthy diet for children and adults, how to prepare simple, delicious foods, and how to pack a quick, healthy lunch for a child. This knowledge would be valuable for Registered Dietitians who work with children and families.

See salaries and explore the career path for Registered Dietitian

Health Educator

Health Educators develop, implement, and evaluate health education programs. They work in a variety of settings, including schools, community health centers, and workplaces. This course would be helpful for Health Educators because it provides a strong foundation in child nutrition and cooking. The course covers topics such as what constitutes a healthy diet for children and adults, how to prepare simple, delicious foods, and how to pack a quick, healthy lunch for a child. This knowledge would be valuable for Health Educators who work with children and families.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

School Nurse

School Nurses provide health care to students in schools. They assess students' health needs, develop and implement health education programs, and provide first aid and emergency care. This course would be helpful for School Nurses because it provides a strong foundation in child nutrition and cooking. The course covers topics such as what constitutes a healthy diet for children and adults, how to prepare simple, delicious foods, and how to pack a quick, healthy lunch for a child. This knowledge would be valuable for School Nurses who work with children and families.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Nurse

Childcare Provider

Childcare Providers care for children in a variety of settings, including homes, daycare centers, and preschools. They provide a safe and nurturing environment for children, and they also help children learn and grow. This course would be helpful for Childcare Providers because it provides a strong foundation in child nutrition and cooking. The course covers topics such as what constitutes a healthy diet for children and adults, how to prepare simple, delicious foods, and how to pack a quick, healthy lunch for a child. This knowledge would be valuable for Childcare Providers who work with children and families.

See salaries and explore the career path for Childcare Provider

Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers provide health education and support to individuals and families in their communities. They work in a variety of settings, including community health centers, schools, and workplaces. This course would be helpful for Community Health Workers because it provides a strong foundation in child nutrition and cooking. The course covers topics such as what constitutes a healthy diet for children and adults, how to prepare simple, delicious foods, and how to pack a quick, healthy lunch for a child. This knowledge would be valuable for Community Health Workers who work with children and families.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Health Worker

Nutritionist

Nutritionists provide nutrition counseling to individuals and groups. They help people develop healthy eating habits and make lifestyle changes to improve their health. This course may be helpful for Nutritionists who work with children and families.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nutritionist

Personal Chef

Personal Chefs prepare and cook meals for individuals and families. They may also provide nutrition counseling and meal planning services. This course may be helpful for Personal Chefs who work with children and families.

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Food Writer

Food Writers write about food for a variety of publications, including magazines, newspapers, and websites. They may also write cookbooks and other food-related books. This course may be helpful for Food Writers who want to write about child nutrition and cooking.

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Restaurant Manager

Restaurant Managers oversee the operation of restaurants. They are responsible for hiring and training staff, developing menus, and ensuring that the restaurant runs smoothly. This course may be helpful for Restaurant Managers who want to offer healthy and delicious options for children.

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Caterer

Caterers provide food and beverage services for events such as weddings, parties, and corporate functions. This course may be helpful for Caterers who want to offer healthy and delicious options for children.

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Fitness Trainer

Fitness Trainers help people improve their physical fitness. They may also provide nutrition counseling and meal planning services. This course may be helpful for Fitness Trainers who work with children and families.

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Yoga Instructor

Yoga Instructors teach yoga classes to people of all ages and abilities. This course may be helpful for Yoga Instructors who want to incorporate nutrition and cooking into their classes.

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Massage Therapist

Massage Therapists provide massage therapy to people of all ages and abilities. This course may be helpful for Massage Therapists who want to incorporate nutrition and cooking into their practice.

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Acupuncturist

Acupuncturists provide acupuncture treatments to people of all ages and abilities. This course may be helpful for Acupuncturists who want to incorporate nutrition and cooking into their practice.

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Chiropractor

Chiropractors provide chiropractic adjustments to people of all ages and abilities. This course may be helpful for Chiropractors who want to incorporate nutrition and cooking into their practice.

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Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read two articles that feature Child Nutrition and Cooking:

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Reading list

We've selected 19 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Child Nutrition and Cooking.

Food, Love, Family

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This cookbook great resource for parents and caregivers who want to learn how to cook healthy, nutritious meals for their children. It includes recipes for all ages, from infants to toddlers to school-aged children. It also provides tips on how to make cooking fun for kids.

Child Nutrition and Cooking

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Introduction to child nutrition and cooking

Activities

Career center

Featured in The Course Notes

Reading list

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