Kids can be notoriously picky eaters. Fast food combo meals, sugary sodas, and processed snack foods dominate the diets of many children, leaving little room for healthier options.
Sadly, unhealthy dietary habits are negatively impacting millions of American youths. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 19.7% of children and adolescents in the United States are considered obese (Childhood Obesity Facts, 2024). And, as pointed out by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, being obese or overweight can “increase the risk for many health problems,” including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
At Rainbow Chefs Academy, we’re focused on offsetting obesity and diabetes through health, wellness, and nutrition education. Today, we’re spotlighting how Rainbow Chefs Academy instructor, Chef Eunice, is opening students’ minds to nutritious foods and healthy eating habits.
Helping Students Grow through Hands-On Recipe Preparation
Chef Eunice’s passion for cooking and education made Rainbow Chefs Academy an excellent fit. Rainbow Chefs Academy’s interactive, hands-on format and cross-curricular content offer a unique opportunity to engage and inspire students. Math, science, social studies, language arts, and essential life skills are woven into Rainbow Chefs Academy’s courses—something that Chef Eunice appreciates. “All those amazing components show kids there’s a world outside of their own school district,” Chef Eunice says. “At the same time, they’re exposed to different foods and ingredients.”
“Garden bloom crackers” is one of Chef Eunice’s favorite recipes to prepare with students. “I love the garden bloom crackers because I can see their creativity—skills they probably didn’t know they had,” Chef Eunice says. Empowering students to prepare fun (and delicious) recipes reduces participants’ aversion to healthy ingredients and increases food awareness.
“I always encourage students to try something and then make a decision. We can develop our taste buds as we grow.”
—Chef Eunice, Rainbow Chefs Academy instructor
Ensuring Stellar Experiences for Students
Chef Eunice takes great care to adequately prepare for each lesson. “Teaching is not just about instructing—it’s about learning. That’s why I do my own research,” Chef Eunice says. Chef Eunice’s proactive approach is a good model for anyone seeking to incorporate cooking into their ELOP programming. When asked what types of instructors thrive with Rainbow Chefs Academy, Chef Eunice summed it up nicely: “It has to be someone who likes working with kids and willing to put in time and effort to learn. I learn from them everyday!”
Ready to partner with Rainbow Chefs Academy to fight childhood obesity in your community? Contact us to request a pilot program for your school district, camp, or youth organization.