Get to cooking
WITH ONLINE PLANT-BASED CLASSES
People are spending more time at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic and some adults are using the extra free time to go back to school virtually. Colleges and universities are offering classes on a variety of interesting subjects such as the science of happiness, but now is also a great time to learn about health and nutrition.
There are many opportunities to learn about healthy eating through virtual webinars, viral videos, and digital cooking demonstrations.
The coronavirus is a risk for everyone, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), higher risk populations are more likely to become seriously ill if they are exposed to the virus. In addition to older adults, people with certain medical conditions are at a higher risk of having more serious symptoms which could result in hospitalization, intensive care or the use of a ventilator. Obesity, type 2 diabetes, and serious heart conditions are all medical conditions listed under the higher risk category for COVID-19.
An online nutrition campaign called “Cooking to Combat COVID-19” delivers healthy eating tips and recipes to the people who may be at a higher risk of serious illness if they are exposed to the virus. Diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure are usually related to an individual’s lifestyle which means making healthier choices could be a treatment for these conditions.
The “Cooking to Combat COVID-19” campaign uses online plant-based nutrition and cooking classes to teach people about the benefits of healthy eating from the comfort of their own home. The cooking classes are part of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine “Food for Life” program. The committee is a nonprofit organization that uses the expertise of more than 12,000 physicians to improve lives through plant-based diets. To learn more about the cooking series, visit www.pcrm. org/news/blog/onlineplant-based-cookingclasses-combat-covid19-comorbidities.
Studies over the years have shown plant-based foods can help manage or treat diseases such as type 2 diabetes. An article titled “Prevention and Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Dietary Components and Nutrition Strategies” was published in a 2014 edition of the peer reviewed medical journal Lancet.
“Diets rich in whole grain, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, moderate in alcohol consumption, and lower in refined grains, red/processed meats, and sugarsweetened beverages have demonstrated to reduce diabetes risk and improve glycemic control and blood lipids in patients with diabetes,” stated the article.
According to an article published in a 2018 edition of the Harvard’s Men’s Health Watch called “The right plant-based diet for you,” not all plant-based or vegan diets are created equal. The article stated plant-based meals should be high in fibers, vitamins and minerals to help manage disease and to maintain a healthy weight. Technically white rice and white bread are considered vegan or plant-based but can be very processed and not as nutritious as some other choices such as brown rice or whole wheat bread.
“For heart health protection, your diet needs to focus on the quality of plant foods …,” stated Dr. Ambika Satija, of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Dr. Satija also stated small changes can still have positive health benefits and meat can still be incorporated into your diet.
“The focus should be on eating more of the right plants, avoiding the wrong kind, eliminating unhealthy foods, and moderating your intake of healthier animal products,” stated the article.