Culinary Therapy What Is It?

For some, cooking is a daily chore, a social experience or an entertaining leisure activity. For others, cooking is therapeutic. Culinary therapy encompasses cooking and cooking-related activities, such as cultivating a garden, planning and preparing meals, and educational grocery shopping and restaurant experiences. Under the supervision of a professional chef and/or therapist, patients learn about diet and nutrition and develop a healthy relationship with food.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CULINARY THERAPY?

Cooking is a basic skill for daily living, yet many people don’t feel comfortable around food or in the kitchen. In addition to learning a valuable life skill, culinary therapy offers the following benefits:

• Stress relief
• Improved social skills
• Balance and coordination
• Sensory awareness
• Improved physical health
• Enhanced ability to plan and organize
• Time management skills
• Relief from boredom
• Improved memory, attention and focus
• Self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment

WHAT CONDITIONS/DISORDERS DOES CULINARY THERAPY TREAT?

Although cooking may seem like a common day-to-day activity, it can be therapeutic for a diverse group of people. Culinary therapy can be part of treatment for:

• Eating Disorders
• Learning Disabilities and ADHD
• Autism
• Depression
• Anxiety"

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