Cooking and nutrition education for families, adults, and communities
Food Labs
Hands-on cooking and nutrition science for kids, teens, families, and adults.
Led by Dr. Vibha Choudhary, Food Labs teaches practical Food is Medicine skills for everyday meals and long-term health.Led by Dr. Vibha Choudhary, PharmD, CDCES, Food Labs teaches how food affects energy, focus, gut health, chronic disease risk, and everyday meals.
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Step Up scholarships may help Florida families access eligible education services.
This isn't just a cooking class.
Doctors say “eat healthy.” People try. But labels are confusing, ultra-processed food is everywhere, and busy households need practical skills, not lectures.
of US children have a chronic health condition
of kids' calories come from ultra-processed foods
Food Labs teaches Food is Medicine before health problems start.
Food is Medicine is a growing healthcare movement. Hospitals are prescribing produce, medical schools are adding Culinary Medicine, and families are looking for clear guidance they can use before chronic disease shows up.
Dr. Vibha spent years as a clinical pharmacist treating diet-related disease. Food Labs turns that clinical experience into practical kitchen lessons: what food does in the body, why it matters, and how to make better choices feel normal.
“After years of managing medications for preventable diseases, I realized I was treating symptoms instead of causes. The earlier we teach how food affects the body, the more choices we can change before disease begins.”
Food Labs in action
Diya Cares has brought Food Labs into teaching kitchens and community camps, helping learners connect food, health, and hands-on cooking.
Oviedo teaching kitchen
Taste of Curiosity pop-ups
Food Labs began in a real Oviedo teaching kitchen, where kids explored food science through hands-on cooking.
Casselberry summer camp
Chinmaya Mission Orlando camp
This summer, Diya Cares adapted the curriculum for younger and older camp groups in Casselberry.
Online and community
More Food Labs ahead
Hear about new online classes, community workshops, and scholarship-friendly programs when they open.
What you will learn
Each theme turns nutrition science into kitchen skills people can use at home, at school, and in the community.
The Power of Your Plate
This is the "pharmacology" of food. Learners explore how different colors in fruits and vegetables support the body: red foods for the heart, green foods for cells, orange foods for eyes. They practice spotting an unbalanced plate and choosing the right combination of foods to improve it.
Takeaway: Can build a balanced plate for any meal and explain why each color matters.
The Sunrise Meal
Learners become label detectives. They decode cereal boxes and yogurt containers to find hidden sugars and marketing tricks. Then they build breakfasts that support steady energy, focus, and a better start to the day.
Takeaway: Can choose and prepare a lower-sugar, higher-energy breakfast.
The Midday Boost
We connect what you eat to how you feel and focus. Learners practice basic knife skills and food prep safety, then build lunches designed to prevent the afternoon slump.
Takeaway: Can safely assemble a complete, nutritious lunch for the next day.
The Smart Snack
Learners practice telling the difference between "I'm bored" and "I'm actually hungry." They explore how fiber-rich foods feed the gut microbiome and create snacks that provide real energy.
Takeaway: Can identify and prepare a healthy snack when they are truly hungry.
The Sunset Supper
Dinner is where everything comes together. Learners practice techniques like sauteing and roasting that build flavor and protect nutrients. They learn about seasonal eating and how different cultures build nourishing evening meals.
Takeaway: Can prepare a key component of dinner using safe, effective cooking techniques.
The Harvest Meal
The finale brings the skills together. Learners plan, prep, and cook a complete Harvest Meal, then explain the "medicinal" properties of each dish and share what they learned.
Takeaway: Can plan and prepare a healthy meal and explain the health benefits to others.
Ways to learn with Food Labs
Choose the path that fits your home, school, camp, organization, or community.
Learn from home
Cook along in a small online class with ingredient lists, live guidance, and simple recipes and habits you can use right away.
Bring Food Labs to your community
Schools, camps, temples, teaching kitchens, and local groups can host hands-on workshops.
Ask about scholarship-friendly options
Choose Step Up on the interest form if scholarship-friendly classes would help your family.
Food is Medicine, made practical
Learning for children, teens, adults, and groups
Start with practical skills and go deeper as learners are ready, from a first kitchen activity to a clearer understanding of how food affects energy, focus, gut health, and long-term wellness.
- Kids learn through color, taste, games, and simple kitchen tasks.
- Teens connect food to energy, focus, sports, mood, and independence.
- Adults build practical skills for prevention, labels, meal planning, and family routines.
Founder and educator
Vibha Choudhary, PharmD, CDCES
Food Labs is led by Vibha Choudhary: a clinical pharmacist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, culinary medicine educator, and Diya Cares founder.
Food Labs is led by Vibha's Food is Medicine approach and strengthened by real teaching experience with local partners like Taste of Curiosity and Chinmaya Mission Orlando.
Rooted in Orlando and Seminole County
We have taught in Oviedo through Taste of Curiosity and in Casselberry through Chinmaya Mission Orlando. Join the list to hear about online classes, local workshops, partner programs, and scholarship-friendly Food Labs programs.
FAQ
How do I hear about the next Food Labs offering?
Join the list and we will email you when new classes, workshops, or school, camp, and community programs open.
What ages is this for?
Food Labs serves children, teens, families, and adults. Each class or workshop will list the recommended ages.
What is a Step Up scholarship?
Step Up For Students helps Florida families access education scholarships. Learn about Step Up scholarships. Choose the Step Up option on the form if scholarship-friendly classes would help your family.
Can my school, camp, temple, or organization partner with Food Labs?
We are open to schools, camps, temples, teaching kitchens, healthcare groups, and community partners. Email info@diyacares.org.