This National Nutrition Month, we celebrate a unique childhood nutrition initiative located at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio: CHEF.
In 2013, Goldsbury Foundation announced the single largest gift made to The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio in its 147-year history. A portion of the grant was dedicated to create an innovative, collaborative childhood nutrition initiative. Two years later, CHEF: Culinary Health Education for Families, was born.
The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio is home to the nation’s first teaching kitchen located within a freestanding children’s hospital. Chefs and dietitians work seamlessly with Children’s Hospital physicians to tackle a variety of health issues, including obesity and diabetes. Physicians and other medical providers can refer their patients to CHEF. Classes are offered for children and their families at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio campus, where families have the opportunity to learn the CHEF Recipe for Life: Cook well, eat well, live well.
Rooted in the belief that food is medicine, the goal of CHEF is to “drive healthy eating among children and families by promoting nutritious food and home cooking as key ingredients in the recipe for life-long health and wellness.”
In just a few short years, CHEF is already making an impact. CHEF dietitian, Celina Paras, was recently awarded with the Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year by Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Additionally, the CHEF program received the 2018 Innovation Award for Healthcare Provider Training and Education by The Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
Taking charge of your health contributes to overall well-being, as well as losing weight or staying at your ideal weight, which reduces risks of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. The percentage of children and adolescents affected by obesity has more than tripled since the 1970s. The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio is proud to be a leader in tackling childhood obesity in San Antonio and South Texas. Click here for more about CHEF.
To learn about how you can make a difference, visit ChildrensHospitalSAFoundation.org.
CHRISTUS Children's Foundation 
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