Flavor may be the number one reason for choosing what to eat.

NUTRITION

Most of us would agree that flavor may be the number one reason for choosing what to eat.  Who doesn’t like tasty food? I totally agree! However, a lot of the so called ‘irresistible/convenience’ foods may come loaded with excessive amounts of sugars, refined flours, unhealthy fats, excessive salt, not to mention the endless list of food additives and preservatives. Truth is that although some hyper-palatable foods taste delicious, they may make you pay a high price in terms of your health and wellbeing.

This is where culinary nutrition comes in as a way to bring together nutrition science and culinary arts together to come up with delicious and healthy foods for everyone in the family. I have always been interested in food and nutrition and that’s why I became a Dietitian/Nutritionist. 

I started off with a Bachelors Degree in Food, Nutrition & Pubic Health from New York University and later a Dietetic Internship through Syracuse University. More recently, I completed a Professional Cooking Certificate through Monroe Community College. I cannot imagine myself doing anything else that is not related to food, whether being healthy cooking, nutrition education, food writing and photography, community or even international nutrition. 

I have had the opportunity to work with patience individually and in groups, providing one-on-one nutritional counseling to improve overall health and helping them to adopt habits for a healthy lifestyle. 

I think that providing people with sound nutrition information as well as practical easy cooking tips and recipes ― especially Latin American recipes in this case― is a vital tool to promote healthier eating habits among the Hispanic community.

Food is central to all of us, yet, our current food supply includes many unhealthy and heavily processed options. Our Hispanic community is experiencing the negative consequences of Obesity and related diseases at a much higher rates compared to Whites.

We need to go back to the basics! We need to start cooking more often and be more physically active. As a Dietitian, I certainly understand the importance of healthy eating.  At the same time, I’m a true believer that healthy foods can be delicious across all cultures. 

Helping people to prepare healthy, budget friendly and delicious meals at home is an effective way encourage individuals to experience what real food tastes like; whether following a therapeutic diet or just a healthy meal plan for the entire family to enjoy.

I’d be very delighted to share with you some of what I have learned along the way to put you in the path of better health!