HERSHEY, Pa. -- The Kohl’s Healthy Champions Program at Penn State Hershey PRO Wellness Center recently launched a web-based kids’ cooking video library to promote healthy eating for children and families.
Penn State Hershey PRO Wellness Center has licensed Cook eKitchen recipes and articles from Baldwin Publishing to spread the word that healthy eating starts at home. The online program is funded with a grant from the Kohl’s Cares program.
“Approximately one in three children and adolescents in Pennsylvania is either overweight or obese, due mainly to poor eating and exercise habits,” said Donna Kephart, executive director at Penn State Hershey PRO Wellness.
The online library of healthy recipes and videos is designed to appeal to children’s tastes. It features such all-time favorites as mac and cheese and chicken nuggets. All recipes are low in fat, sugar and calories, and have been taste tested and approved by kids as well as dietitians and chefs.
“I love the way this content caters to kids,” Kephart said. “The recipes are tasty and easy to make. If we can engage children to cook, we know we are that much closer to getting them to try new, healthier foods.”
The Penn State Hershey PRO Wellness recipe site features a new recipe every day, many with short, simple-to-follow videos of talented young chefs demonstrating cooking techniques and tips.
“Cook eKitchen makes it convenient for us to share information with parents and schools by providing new content that is fun and educational,” Kephart said. “The videos make it easy for kids to follow along. We know that families that make meals a family affair have healthier lifestyles. Research supports this, but now we can also see it in the excited eyes of children as they try new recipes and foods.”