Celebrating CHEF this National Nutrition Month

National Nutrition Month, celebrated each year during March, focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy food and exercise habits. The Culinary Health Education Program (CHEF), located at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, offers patients and their families a unique opportunity to learn healthy food alternatives alongside one another, while having fun in the kitchen.

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.”

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.

http://https://youtu.be/lpkwsubpTnI

Ariel’s family is one of many that are adopting and sustaining healthier eating habits after completing the CHEF program.  Watch Ariel’s CHEF Journey and learn how you can make a difference at ChildrensHospitalSAFoundation.org.