The Illini West High School cheerleaders attended a workshop at Memorial Hospital’s Health & Wellness Teaching Kitchen. Under the guidance of Certified Exercise Physiologist and Registered Dietitian Kara Andrew, along with Head Chef Amber Clark, the cheerleaders created a variety of healthy snacks designed to fuel their active lifestyles.
“Our young athletes need to make healthy relationships with food,” said Head Cheer Coach Ashtyn Miller. “They need to feed their bodies for sports, so they have increased energy. Many teenagers don’t know a lot about healthy eating, and this workshop has been a great step towards changing that.”
Andrew emphasized the importance of proper nutrition for young athletes. “We aim to teach them that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or boring. By incorporating nutritious foods into their diet, they can improve their energy levels, endurance, and overall performance.”
Miller expressed her appreciation for the experience, “It’s truly inspiring to see how food can bring people together and improve our well-being.” The menu for the workshop included homemade granola bars, date-sweetened caramel dip, homemade ranch dip, apples, bell peppers, chocolate chip banana muffins, and popcorn.
The event was not just about cooking; it was an opportunity for the cheerleaders to understand the importance of nutrition in their daily lives and athletic routines. By learning how to prepare and enjoy healthy snacks, the cheerleaders are better equipped to make informed choices that support their performance on and off the field.
For more information about Memorial Hospital’s Health & Wellness Center, please visit mhtlc.org or call 217-357-6540.
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Links: https://www.mhtlc.org/services/health-wellness-center/
Picture caption: Illini West Cheerleaders at Memorial Hospital’s Health & Wellness Teaching Kitchen. From left to right: Ella Fuhrman, Aubry Fink, Head Chef Amber Clark, Bethany Fawcett, Sofia Gilbert, Registered Dietitian Kara Andrew, Aspyn Beasley, Jordan Kinman.
