Healthy eating is essential for a healthy lifestyle, and a good place to start is to prepare balanced meals at home. Though it may seem tiring, taking that extra time can do more than just improve overall well-being. Homemade meals that are shared can have a positive impact on both daily routines and personal relationships, enriching life just as much as the human body. “That’s why we’re collecting favorite healthy recipes from our faculty and staff—to share the foods that nourish not just our bodies, but our families and communities,” said Dr. Karen Della Corte, a nutritional science professor. The Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science intends to release a cookbook of recipes, providing students and professors with a go-to resource for practical, strengthening meals.
Homemade meals that are shared can have a positive impact on both daily routines and personal relationships, enriching life just as much as the human body.
The department is actively looking for recipes to add to their list of healthful options and are still accepting submissions from BYU students, faculty, and staff. They are also interested in hearing the story behind the recipe, including both health and personal significance. They will collect recipes until October 31, 2025. Della Corte anticipates that the cookbook will be available to the life sciences community soon after, presented as a “snapshot of a community that values health, creativity, and care for one another through food.”
Nutritional research has consistently shown that cooking at home leads to better health outcomes, including an improved diet quality and a reduced risk of disease and obesity. Factors like ingredients, cooking methods, and time all contribute to healthy eating habits. By sharing a cookbook filled with recipes that account for those details, as well as a modern understanding of food and current research on the human body, Della Corte hopes to give additional power to the families of BYU. “By preparing more healthy meals ourselves, we gain greater control over ingredients, portions, and nutrient density—while also strengthening family routines and traditions.”
“This cookbook will be a celebration of simple, healthful meals that are meaningful to the people who make our college such a vibrant and supportive community,” Della Corte said. She invites faculty and students from the Life Sciences to participate by sharing their loved, healthy recipes, and inspire each other to cook more often, eat well, and enjoy the process.
Submit recipes for the cookbook here.