​Discovery Vitality launches state-of-the-art HealthyFood Studio

Discovery launches state-of-the-art HealthyFood Studio

4 May 2016, Johannesburg

We live in a world where the discourse of nutrition has become so complex and even controversial, that making a nutritious meal for dinner can leave one confused and overwhelmed.

It is becoming increasingly uncommon to prepare meals from scratch using raw ingredients, while at the same time sales of convenient and fast foods are skyrocketing. In South Africa, there has been an increase in sales of packaged foods in almost every category, with that of ready-made meals, snack bars and instant noodles rising by over 40% between 2005 and 2010.

With 3 out of 10 men and 6 out of 10 women in South Africa reportedly overweight or obese, our population is in dire need for a nutrition overhaul.

Welcome to the HealthyFood Studio

Discovery Vitality understands that maintaining health and wellness requires a lifelong commitment to healthy lifestyle behaviours, including sustainable and enjoyable eating habits, cooking skills and daily physical activity.

The newly launched HealthyFood Studio is a fully equipped, state-of-the-art culinary studio based at the Discovery campus on West Street in Sandton. Any interested party can sign up for cooking classes, where various aspects of healthy cooking and eating are taught and demonstrated by a Prue Leith professional, using fresh ingredients from Woolworths. The HealthyFood Studio serves as an opportunity for South Africans to gain hands-on cooking experience and the confidence to try learned recipes at home and pass them on to others.

“The HealthyFood Studio aims to share and reinforce healthy eating habits, like ensuring there is variety in your diet; limiting your intake of refined starches, added sugar, processed foods and certain fats; making sure you’re getting a moderate amount of protein; and eating more whole plant foods,” says Shrey Viranna, CEO of Discovery Vitality.

Discovery Vitality and Woolworths, through the HealthyFood Studio, are adopting a strategy which embraces the balance between delicious and healthy foods. The goal is to empower people with the skills needed to transform whole, unprocessed ingredients into delicious and nutritious meals, every day.

With the help of the culinary excellence of Prue Leith Chefs Academy, the HealthyFood Studio recipes are focused on creating healthy meals that are exquisite taste experiences where both nutrition and flavour remain a priority.

“At the HealthyFood Studio we want our dishes to be helpful to the busy cook; not too time-consuming, but easy to do and fun,” says Prue Leith, internationally renowned chef and author. “Cooking shouldn’t be intimidating, and believe me, that with a desire to cook well everyone can do it!”

A 2011 Canadian study showed that a higher degree of involvement in food-related activity, such as preparing meals at home using unprocessed ingredients, may be instrumental in the development and maintenance of healthy eating behaviours in children. The study also showed that, “teaching children how to prepare simple, cost-effective and healthful meals could help in the development of a life skill that could be maintained through adulthood.”

The HealthyFood Studio aims to address the potential barriers to eating healthily at home, including a lack of skills or experience with cooking nutritious ingredients and the time constraints we are challenged with in our busy lives.

“Our decision to partner with Discovery on this project is part of a commitment from Woolworths to help educate and provide our customers with the tools needed to make better and more sustainable food choices. With great facilities at the HealthyFood Studio, and the best ingredients at your disposal, it makes it that much easier to learn how to create quick and easy meals for the whole family, everyday,” says Glenda Philp, Woolworths Head of Food Brand Communications.

ENDS

Note to editors:

The HealthyFood Studio is situated at 155 West Street, Sandton. On 3 May 2016, the doors will be open to come and experience the culinary brainchild of Discovery Vitality, in association with Prue Leith Chefs Academy and Woolworths. To book a class email HFSbookings@discovery.co.za or call 0860 372 029.

For media related queries:

Taryn Kerr

tarynke@discovery.co.za

011 529 2204