Last week they participated in their second hands on cooking session, which is part of the Fuel Your Future program designed to teach people between 12 and 18 years old how to choose and prepare healthy meals.
Charlene Lane (16) said it was fun and helpful.
‘I love eating and I love cooking,’ Charlene said.
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READ NOW‘By making healthy meals, I feel like I am doing the right thing for my body.’
The six-week program at Mission Australia Northbridge is a joint initiative between Foodbank and Diabetes WA (DWA).
Guided by a nutritionist, participants learn about kitchen skills, food hygiene and how to put together a healthy meal with everyday ingredients in the kitchen pantry.
‘The thinking behind it is that if we can get these kids to raise their levels of food literacy then they will be less likely to develop chronic diseases like diabetes,’ DWA health promotion marketing officer Liz Lyon said.
‘One of the activities that we do is about budgeting and showing them how healthy food can actually be a cheaper option to junk food.’
The program, to be rolled out at other youth centres and schools across the state, also has an online component featuring recipes, activities and handy kitchen hints. Visit www.fuelyourfuture.com.au.