Empowering kids to make healthy food and lifestyle choices that last a lifetime.

Naturally Well Children’s Culinary Nutrition Classes, a program of the Institute for Natural Medicine, offer fun and engaging culinary, health, and nutrition lessons for students in grades 3–5--a critical period for forming lifelong habits, according to research.  The premise is simple: When children grasp the basics of wellness, they make healthier choices and inspire those around them to do the same.

Comprehensive 10-Week Curriculum

Our multimedia lesson plans cover the Six Main Types of Nutrition, Cooking, Label Reading, Metabolism, Vitamins, Mind-Body Connection, Breathing Techniques, and family involvement strategies.

Licensed Physicians as Instructors

Our classes are medically reviewed and taught by licensed healthcare professionals who bring medical expertise and credibility to childhood nutrition education.

STEAM Learning

Our unique Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics structure makes health education engaging while building critical thinking skills around nutrition choices.

Proven Results & Recognition

Recognized by the CDC Foundation and Harkin on Wellness Symposium, with demonstrated outcomes. 

Preventive Medicine Focus

We go beyond basic diet education to provide a comprehensive understanding of nutrition, wellness, and healthy lifestyle choices that prevent chronic disease.

Community-Based Model

We welcome opportunities to explore collaboration on grants and connections between farmers, growers, local food systems, and community organizations, camps, or schools working toward fresh, healthy food access for all children.

The Childhood Health Crisis

Diabetes rates are projected to rise by 54% by 2030, with nearly half of that increase affecting children.

In the United States...

Over 66% of the calories children consume come from ultra-processed foods

Naturally Well students create delicious, nutritious meals from scratch, with minimal processed ingredients, and share their recipes at home.

49% of children do not eat vegetables daily

Naturally Well's cultural and creative recipes encourage kids to incorporate more vegetables into their regular meals

57% of children drink at least one sugary beverage daily, escalating diabetes rates

NW program data indicate a 33% decrease in sugar consumption

69% INCREASE

in the number of children who understood the difference between ultra-processed and whole foods.

65% OF STUDENTS

reported using mindful breathing techniques taught in class to reduce stress. 

57% OF ALL CHILDREN

shared what they had learned in class with their families.

10-Week Curriculum Overview

11 Chapters · 76 Lessons

  1. 1

    Introduction to Naturally Well

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome + Program Overview

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      How Naturally Well Works

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Equipment + Staffing Needs

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Program Goals

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Student Assessment

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Materials for Download

  2. 2

    Whole vs Processed Food + Kitchen Safety

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Class Materials

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Pre-Class Assessment

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview: Lesson 1

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Healthy Eating Habits

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Game Intro

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME: Healthy vs. Processed Foods

  3. 3

    Healthy Fats, Healthy Kids

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Class Materials

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview: Lesson 2

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Healthy Fats

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 1 Intro

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 1: Healthy Fats

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 2 Intro

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 2: Avocados & Heart Health

  4. 4

    Proteins & Carbohydrates

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Class Materials

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview: Lesson 3

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Macronutrients

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 1 Intro

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 1: Protein Power & Strong Bones

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 2 Intro

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 2: Complex Carbohydrates

  5. 5

    Food Labels, Serving Sizes, & Nutrition

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Class Materials

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview: Lesson 4

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Decoding the Labels

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 1 Intro

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 1: Reading Labels

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 2 Intro

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 2: Whole Foods Pizza Party

  6. 6

    Portion Sizes

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Class Materials

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview: Lesson 5

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Too Big, Too Small, & Just Right

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 1 Intro

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 1: Perfect Portions are for Perfect People (and Llamas?)

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 2 Intro

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 2: Portion Power at the Fiesta

  7. 7

    Importance of Breakfast

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Class Materials

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview: Lesson 6

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      BREAK-ing the FAST

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 1 Intro

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 1: Breakfast Basics

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 2 Intro

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 2: Breakfast Build

  8. 8

    Healthy Digestion, Happy Gut

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Class Materials

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview: Lesson 7

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Gut Bacteria + Metabolism

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 1 Intro

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 1: Digestion Basics - Santa's Fuel!

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 2 Intro

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 2: Digestive System Adventure

  9. 9

    Let's Talk About Sugar

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Class Materials

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview: Lesson 8

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Sugar Limits

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 1 Intro

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 1: Sugar Facts!

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 2 Intro

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 2: Good vs. Bad Sugars

  10. 10

    Eating Out

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Class Materials

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview: Lesson 9

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Making Choices on the Menu

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 1 Intro

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 1: Eating Out With Healthy Choices

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 2 Intro

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 2: Restaurant With Friends

  11. 11

    Healthy Habits, Healthy Life

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Class Materials

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview: Lesson 10

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Mindfulness, Movement, + Mental Health

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Post-Class Assessment

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 1 Intro

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 1: Superhuman Healthy Habits

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Game 2 Intro

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      GAME 2: Superhuman Lifestyle Choices

$100 per child covers ...

Kids' Kitchen Kits

apron, tote bag, wooden spoon, wooden cutting board, kid safe knife, veggie peeler, stainless steel measuring spoons, and spatula

Groceries and Program Licensing

10 weeks of fresh ingredients, 15 total program hours + upgrade opportunities for vetted teachers or graduation parties

Potential Partnership & Grant Opportunities

We are open to bulk purchasing partnerships, grant application collaboration, farm-to-family connections, community outreach coordination, and shared resource development to lower financial barriers 

Real Results from Real Kids

Data collected from our classes shows distinct positive changes in eating patterns, including consuming fewer sugary drinks and non-nutritious processed foods, increased intake of whole foods, and a greater comfort level with cooking.

”
I share everything when I get home from the program and I do it at home!"
4th Grader

 

"I feel safe and confident [when cooking in the kitchen]"
4th Grader

 

”
I'm eating more fruits and vegetables!"
5th Grader

 

”
I feel like I'm doing good when I'm cooking!"
4th Grader

 

"[I have shared] how to read food labels and make meals [with my family]!"
4th Grader

 

Ready to Cook a Better Future?

Enroll in our Naturally Well program today and make a difference in children's health and well-being.

$150.00

PER CHILD

About Us

Naturally Well’s commitment to teach children about the importance of healthy eating through cooking classes is funded through individual donations and private grants.  Naturally Well is a division of The Institute for Natural Medicine (INM), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We promote education, access, and research on whole person and holistic healthcare. We collaborate across systems to empower people, particularly historically marginalized, underserved, and at-risk communities, to learn how to and why it's important to to make healthier choices.