Chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension affect nearly half of U.S. adults and are leading causes of disability and death. Many of these conditions are preventable through lifestyle modifications, including changes to diet and physical activity. Poor diet quality is one of the top contributors to early death and disability, yet most adults report barriers to healthy eating, such as a lack of cooking skills, limited time, and confusion about nutrition messages.
Culinary medicine is an evidence-based field that combines the art of cooking with the science of medicine to promote health and prevent chronic diseases. It bridges the gap between clinical care and real- world food choices by educating individuals on how to prepare affordable, culturally relevant, and delicious meals that support long-term health.
Healthy Cooking Healthy You is a 4-week community-based cooking classes that teaches adults about chronic disease prevention through evidence-based nutrition education and hands-on cooking classes. Each week focuses on a health condition- obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, offering participants practical tools to improve their diet, lifestyle, and overall well-being. Each session includes a short presentation on a specific chronic disease, an interactive learning activity, and a hands- on cooking session in small groups.
Key Benefits of the Culinary Medicine Program:
• Enhance nutrition knowledge and food literacy while building confidence in preparing healthy meals at home.
• Promote a dietary pattern rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds and reduce intake of processed foods, sodium, and added sugars.
• Support healthy weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar control through evidence- based dietary strategies and practical meal planning.
• Encourages community well-being through shared cooking experiences, showing that healthy food can be enjoyable, delicious, and affordable with the right skills and planning.
The goal of Healthy Cooking Healthy You program is to empower participants to make small, sustainable changes that add up to lifelong health benefits. It helps transform nutrition education into practical life skills that can prevent and delay chronic diseases.
Lamb County Extension Office is set to host Healthy Cooking Healthy You this summer! Classes will be on Tuesday June 30, July 7, July 14 and July 21, 2026 from 5:15 pm. to 7:15 p.m. A registration fee of $40 per participant will cover your supplies for all four lessons.
For more information contact your local County Extension Office at 806-4859135 or email Courtney Lowe at Courtney.lowe@ag.tamu.edu.