About this course: Eating patterns that begin in childhood affect health and well-being across the lifespan. The culture of eating has changed significantly in recent decades, especially in parts of the world where processed foods dominate our dietary intake. This course examines contemporary child nutrition and the impact of the individual decisions made by each family. The health risks associated with obesity in childhood are also discussed. Participants will learn what constitutes a healthy diet for children and adults and how to prepare simple, delicious foods aimed at inspiring a lifelong celebration of easy home-cooked meals. This course will help prepare participants to be the leading health providers, teachers and parents of the present and future.The text and other material in this course may include the opinion of the specific instructor and are not statements of advice, endorsement, opinion, or information of Stanford University.
Created by: Stanford University
Taught by: Maya Adam, MD, Lecturer
Stanford School of Medicine
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 5 hours of videos and quizzes |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Croatian, Ukrainian, Chinese (Simplified), Dutch, Bulgarian, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Japanese, Romanian, Polish |
| Hardware Req | No special hardware required. |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Why Home Cooking Matters
A childhood obesity epidemic is facing the USA and many developed nations. Why are so many foods processed, and what can we do to protect our families? We also explore the six basic ingredients every cook should have on hand!
10 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Why Home Cooking Matters
Graded: Elements of a Healthy Kitchen
Graded: Why Home Cooking Matters
WEEK 2
What Constitutes a Balanced Meal?
Everything you need to know about what makes up a balanced meal, including fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Learn tricks for controlling portion sizes while maintaining satisfaction.
10 videos
Graded: The Elements of a Balanced Meal
Graded: Sugar, Hunger and the Glycemic Index
Graded: What Constitutes a Balanced Meal?
WEEK 3
From Supermarket to Dinner Table to School
Tricks for navigating the supermarket and shop for vegetables. Why the family meal is about more than just food; how to pack a quick, healthy lunch for a child and why this is so important; how to shop for fruits and vegetables (and teach children to love them...
8 videos
Graded: Navigating the supermarket
Graded: The Dinner Table
Graded: From Supermarket to Dinner Table to School
WEEK 4
Sustainable Eating
How to make choices that are good for you and the planet. Understand the difference between local, organic, and sustainable. Also, gardening as a way of getting children excited about fresh foods.
9 videos
Graded: What is Sustainable Eating?
Graded: Growing a Kitchen Garden
Graded: Sustainable Eating
WEEK 5
Labels, Allergies and Taste
What have we learned about achieving good eating habits based on enjoyment of the right foods? More tips on working with food allergies, reading nutrition labels, and understanding the elements of taste. Cooking this week: the simple stew, a basic homemade sal...
9 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Allergies and Taste Preferences
Graded: Health and Nutrition
Graded: Labels, Allergies and Taste
FAQs
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Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
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Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is an American private research university located in Stanford, California on an 8,180-acre (3,310 ha) campus near Palo Alto, California, United States.
Ratings and Reviews
I really enjoyed taking this course ans participating in the assignments Dr. Maya is an awesome instructor and it was great for her to include her own children, the little one showed a love for new foods.
excelent
Muy integral.
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MC
I have taken "Stanford Introduction to Food and Health" previously and I wanted to learn more about nutrition taught by Prof. Maya. Taking this course, not only did I learn about child nutrition or how to encourage children to eat healthy meals, but also nutrition in general and how it can affect our environment.
The teaching method also helped me understand in more detail about macronutrients, especially when Prof. Maya draws them in easy-to-understand illustrations. I enjoyed her cooking classes as well, especially when she brings her children to the show, and it really taught me a lesson to involve everyone in the family in the kitchen. I don't have kids yet, but I want to apply what I learned in this course in the future.