BRADFORD Council is starting the new year in a healthy way with courses aimed at giving people across the district the confidence and skills needed to prepare nutritional meals.

The New Year Cook and Eat programmes will offer people the chance to learn how to prepare a range of dishes, understand about different ingredients, and how to control portion sizes.

Run over six weeks by a number of partner organisations, the two-hour sessions are aimed at supporting people to make healthy lifestyle changes particularly by eating more fruit and vegetables and less oil, sugar and salt.

The courses are in Bradford, Keighley, Shipley and Bingley, and include women-only sessions with language support, sessions for adults with mental health issues, children’s sessions and sessions for children and parents.

Alison Moore, senior public health manager for Bradford Council, said: "Cooking is a skill that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Many people want to change the way they eat to be healthier but don’t know how to prepare healthy meals.

"By giving people the confidence in the kitchen; they can take control of their and their family’s meals before it becomes a health issue.

"Being overweight is linked with a higher risk of developing a range of conditions such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, as well as mental health problems such as low mood and depression."

Cook and Wean programmes are also taking place in several venues across the district for new parents. The sessions are described as friendly and informal, with participants able to meet new people while learning new skills.

Organisations joining forces with the Council for the Cook and Eat programme include Bradford Trident, Highfield Healthy Lifestyle Solutions CIC, Attock Community Association, BEAP Community Partnership, Age UK Bradford and District, Keighley Healthy Living Network, Bangladeshi Community Association and Ministry of Food Bradford.

The course start dates vary from this week until early next month. To find out your nearest venue, or for more information, call 01274 435388.

The Council has also recently started other healthy living initiatives. The Healthy Weight Programme aims to transform people’s lives by helping them achieve a healthy weight.

The groups, based in Shipley, Keighley, Allerton, Manningham, Leeds Road and Lidget Green, include information, support and guidance around healthy eating, meal planning, shopping, cooking and being active.

The Council also supports the Change4Life SugarSwaps campaign which shows parents ways they can help their family cut down on their sugar intake by making food and drink swaps at key times during the day.