SUPER MEALS are being served up in Lowerhouses.

Parents are being encouraged to create the special meals after taking part in healthy cooking sessions as part of the Government’s Change4Life healthy eating campaign.

‘Cook and eat’ sessions were delivered in Lowerhouses by a trained tutor to parents interested in encouraging their families to eat healthy balanced meals. They were given tips and specific recipes to follow and the sessions explained how to make nutritious meals from raw ingredients instead of buying convenience or processed foods.

They were also given information about websites featuring healthy meal ideas and recipes to download.

Shopping lists were also added to make the weekly visit to the supermarket even easier.

The Food Initiatives and Nutrition Education (Fine) Project gives free training on how to deliver healthy eating messages in the community and it also runs community cooking courses.

It trained family support worker Michelle Sands, who then passed on the advice to parents.

Dr Judith Hooper, director of public health for NHS Kirklees, said: “Many of us make New Year’s resolutions to eat a healthier diet, but struggle to stick to it.

“The tips and ideas from Change4Life can help families achieve their goals of eating healthy meals by making small changes to the way they shop and to the choices they make in selecting meals.”

The sessions were applauded by people who attended. One parent said: “This activity has helped me discover a new cuisine from mine. I can see how quick it is to cook healthy food.”

The emphasis was also on making the meals affordable, with ideas on how to refresh the weekly menu on the change4life website www.nhs.uk/change4life

Those who sign up to the website will receive a free two week recipe pack in the post. People without internet access at home can sign up for change4life on the free to use computers at Kirklees Library and Information centres.