Cooking Healthy Options for Patients (CHOP)
At HUGMI, we believe that food is a powerful form of healthcare. Cooking Healthy Options for Patients (CHOP) empowers families to make informed, nutritious choices by promoting plant-based eating—an evidence-backed approach shown to reduce the risk of chronic disease. In partnership with community clinics, health fairs, and farmers markets, our volunteers have led cooking demonstrations that have reached over 4,000 people. To extend our impact, we developed a four-language cookbook featuring affordable 20-minute meals, shopping tips, and nutritional guidance. These cookbooks are now available in WIC clinics and hospital-based programs across Massachusetts. Families regularly share that our materials have made healthy eating feel accessible and realistic, helping to lay the foundation for long-term lifestyle changes.
Quick & Clean Cookbook
Availble in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole
"Every recipe in this book is plant-based, takes under 20 minutes to prepare, and uses whole, minimally processed ingredients you can find in any grocery store. We also provide shopping tips to look for the healthiest options when buying ingredients in the grocery store. The recipes in this book focus on whole grains, high-fiber and high-protein foods, antioxidant-rich produce, and low-sugar, low-oil cooking methods—without sacrificing taste. You’ll also find simple, homemade dressings and sauces to help you skip store-bought additives. Whether you're cooking for yourself or your family, we hope these recipes make healthy eating feel doable and joyful."
