COVID-19 has changed all our daily routines, including how and what we eat. The 2020 Food & Health Survey from the International Food Information Council shows that eight of 10 Americans have altered their food habits, with the biggest change being cooking at home.

If you haven’t already done so…swim into the kitchen and help the family out by learning to cook. Grab your tablet or favorite screen and log into these YouTube channels to help you learn to cook or explore new recipes to expand your repertoire.

• Log into Cooking with Team USA to see Olympic athletes share their favorite recipes in short, entertaining video clips. I think you will especially like the video, “Tucker Dupree Can Swim and Sauté,” featuring four-time gold medal Paralympic swimmer, Tucker Dupree. His dish is made in a water bath (OK, there are a lot of puns in the videos). Poached Vietnamese Chicken Salad with Rice Noodles is easy and delicious. Check out all of the videos to learn some new skills and nutrition facts along the way.
• Michelle Dudash is a registered dietitian and chef, and hosts a YouTube channel called Dish with Dudash. From the easy Baked Salmon or Guacamole recipes to the more complex recipe for Pulled Pork Carnitas in the Instant Pot, her enthusiasm for good nutrition and tasty dishes is just right for athletes.
• The Real Food Dietitians feature two registered dietitians, Jessica and Stacie, who deliver a variety of videos using real foods. They also provide loads of recipes for those with dietary restrictions or allergies, such as nut-free, gluten-free, and others.
• If you are looking for vegan recipes, lot into Canadian dietitian Abbey Sharp’s YouTube channel section on healthy vegan ideas. You might be thinking that if it is vegan it must be healthy, but not necessarily so. Abbey’s videos (over 40 vegan recipes) will introduce you to some delicious ideas, like spicy watermelon fingers…a perfect summer treat.
• Lastly, this YouTube Channel from Allrecipes.com is great for those who don’t know much about cooking. The “How to make” series show you the basics on how to make pancakes to banana bread, and to my favorite, “Starbuck’s Copycat Lemon Bread.” 

Once you learn to cook, then invite your family around the table to share the meal. Research from The Food Industry Association shows that family meals make families stronger. Family connections increase, self-esteem improves, positive social behaviors and strong family relationships result from sharing family meals. And, we all need to be strong!

Christine Rosenbloom is a registered dietitian, sports nutritionists, and nutrition professor emerita at Georgia State University. She welcomes questions from swimmers, parents, and coaches at chrisrosenbloom@gmail.com