Cooking class teaches nutritional eating, habits

Eating healthier is a recent adjustment for David and Beth Neubacher.

“I was at the doctor and ended up being diagnosed with diabetes,” said David. “My doctor recommended then Cooking Matters to me.”

Three weeks since that diagnosis the Neubachers have learned new ways to enhance and make their food healthier.

“I used to cook lots of sweets and sugars, old southern cooking,” said Beth. “Now I cook healthier meals, which really helps with (David’s) blood sugar.”

The married duo are part of a dozen coming weekly to “Cooking Matters” at the Idaho Foodbank in Pocatello. The hands-on program teaches nutritional eating, nutritional grocery shopping, as well as kitchen safety. Attendees even get a fresh bag of groceries of the ingredients used in the class.

The class most importantly promotes nutritional accessbility, since there’s a belief if you can’t eat healthy on a tight budget. The class is only available to people who are low-income.

“We are able to turn it around and say yes you can,” said Jonna Botte, nutrition education specialist at the Idaho Foodbank Pocatello branch. “We teach participants to eat healthier and to shop in a way they can bring the stuff home to cook and save it.”

While the Neubachers have taken away the healthier adjustments from the class, it’s not all they’ve learned.

“It’s fun learning to cook together. David actually helps in the kitchen now,” Beth joked.

The class is a six week program that meets once a week for two hours. Again, it’s only for low income families. There are classes for kids, teens, adults, families and diabetics.

If you’re interested in attending the program or want more information you can call the Idaho Foodbank in Pocatello at 208-233-8811.