CE-35PA1001X - Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) for Pregnancy
The Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) for Pregnancy Project is an eight-week, community-based culinary nutrition education program designed to support cardiovascular health and healthy pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women. Sessions are designed to center the experiences of pregnant women, create a sense of belonging, and provide information and resources to support a healthy pregnancy. Through these regular sessions, learners engage in evidence-based nutrition education, hands-on culinary skill development, contemplative and stress-management practices, and strategies for monitoring health indicators associated with cardiovascular disease and pregnancy complications.
Course Outline
Session 1
Health Behaviors
- Stages of change
- ABCs of nutrition and introduction to the African Heritage Diet
- SMART goal setting
- Culinary demonstration and meal
- Breathwork and gentle yoga
Health Factors
- Blood pressure self-monitoring
Session 2
Health Behaviors
- Nutrition basics for each trimester of pregnancy
- Weight gain during pregnancy
- Self-monitoring and tracking techniques for success
- Culinary demonstration and meal
- Breathwork and gentle yoga
Health Factors
- Monitoring pregnancy weight gain
Session 3
Health Behaviors
- The perfect plate using MyPlate
- Food label reading
- Whole grains, legumes, and pulses
- Culinary demonstration and meal
- Breathwork and gentle yoga
Health Factors
- Monitoring and managing blood glucose
Session 4
Health Behaviors
- Stages of change
- Review of SMART goals
- Navigating the grocery store using WIC and SNAP benefits
- Eating for two and portion sizes
- Culinary demonstration and meal
- Breathwork and gentle yoga
Health Factors
- Connection to food access resources, including WIC, SNAP, community gardens, and food pantries
Session 5
Health Behaviors
- Healthy fats: vegetable oils, nuts, and fish
- Stress response and diet, including eating triggers and cravings
- Intuitive (mindful) eating
- Smoking as a maladaptive stress response
- Culinary demonstration and meal
- Breathwork and gentle yoga
Health Factors
- Managing blood lipids and the role of diet and physical activity
- Mindfulness and stress reduction
Session 6
Health Behaviors
- Reducing sodium and sugars
- Review of food labels to select healthy alternatives
- Fresh herbs and spices: benefits and use in reducing sodium and sugar
- Culinary demonstration and meal
- Breathwork and gentle yoga
Health Factors
- Managing blood glucose with diet and physical activity
- Good sleep hygiene
Session 7
Health Behaviors
- Kitchen and food preparation for quick and healthy meals
- Recipe modifications and food substitutions
- Plant-based proteins and meatless options
- Culinary demonstration and meal
- Breathwork and gentle yoga
Health Factors
- Creating a village of support
- Developing a resource list for emotional, physical, and social support
Session 8
Health Behaviors
- Stages of change
- Review of SMART goals
- Meal planning on a budget for health
- AHA Healthy Lifestyle Prescription
- Culinary demonstration and meal
- Breathwork and gentle yoga
Health Factors
- Mental health resources and connections
- Smoking cessation classes
Learner Outcomes
Learners who successfully complete this course can expect to achieve the following outcomes:
- Identify nutrition and lifestyle behaviors associated with cardiovascular health and healthy pregnancy outcomes.
- Prepare and modify balanced, nutrient-dense meals using practical culinary skills and dietary strategies that support healthy blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, and pregnancy weight gain.
- Apply self-monitoring and stress-management strategies to support cardiovascular health and healthy pregnancy outcomes.
- Build supportive relationships with other participants by engaging in shared learning, peer discussion, and mutual encouragement to strengthen a sense of community, connection, and belonging.
Who Should Register?
The course is designed for pregnant women in their first or second trimester.
Prerequisites
Before participating, learners must complete the required screening, assessment questions, and consent form in REDCap.
Complete the HEAL for Pregnancy screening and consent requirements.
Select a section to register
HEART Hub Research Lab
The Health Equity through Advocacy, Risk-reduction, and Transformation (HEART) Hub is a community-based collaborative research lab led by Dr. Francoise Knox-Kazimierczuk. At the HEART Hub, we are dedicated to advancing women’s health, with a primary focus on maternal health. Our mission is to address chronic diseases and health disparities through culturally tailored nutrition and lifestyle interventions.
Central to our work is the convening of community to co-create the learning, social experiences, and political movements necessary to thrive. Guided by the principles of Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR), we build meaningful relationships with underserved populations, collaborating to develop programs and interventions that reflect their needs and priorities.