3.2.1. Participant Goals and Expectations
SMC15
INFLAMMATION
Expanding culinary knowledge and techniques—Participants in the action stage wished to improve culinary techniques: “I would like to learn how to cook for just 1–2 people” (SP06); “expanding my knowledge of cooking methods” (SMC10) and specifically healthy cooking techniques: “To learn to prepare healthy meals from scratch (SP08)”; “I would like to develop good cooking” (SP10); “I am joining to learn more about healthy cooking” (SP02); “Home cooking: learn how to eat/prepare foods better” (SP34). Participants mentioned improving self-regulation characteristics that will help them improve their abilities in cooking, such as motivation “to cook well for myself” (SP02); and efficiency of not having to “spend hours in the kitchen cooking healthy food” (SMC37).Adopting sustainable change: It was important to participants in the action stage to have knowledge and tools for a long-term change in their culinary behavior and in their lifestyle that will last permanently: “dramatic and sustainable change to my approach to eating” (SP01); “I would like to find a sustainable way to meal plan/execute” (SP01); “I joined the program to get help to lose weight. Most importantly is to get tools to maintain it” (SMC15); “to succeed big time and make a turn in my life. Food will not manage me. I will handle it using the knowledge I will learn in the program. In this way, I will embark on a new path” (SMC15); “I would like to learn strategies to change my lifestyle more permanently” (SP23).Participants in the action stage mentioned fun and enjoyment as part of the process: “I want meal planning, shopping and cooking to be fun and enjoyable” (SP01); “I would love to do this enthusiastically thanks to the knowledge and tools I acquire. I believe I will have fun in the kitchen” (SMC37).Achieve healthy eating and lifestyle goals—Participants in the action stage wished to be healthier eaters: “I want to be a healthier eater (SP06)”; “I would like to improve at eating healthy” (SP08); “Tired of diets, just want to eat healthier” (SP13); “I want to improve my diet and become more self-sufficient. I rely too much on eating out where I cannot control what I eat. I have special medical considerations, so this is important” (SP21). Participants in the action stage wished to improve and enhance their knowledge about healthy food and healthy diet: “gain knowledge of healthy foods” (SP02); “enhance knowledge of healthy eating/cooking from experts” (SP03); “Get better educated to make changes on a healthy diet which could improve overall health” (SP08); “help me make an order [in health eating] and provide me with the information I lack to eat healthily during my intense day” (SMC37); “I would like to learn to appreciate cooking and eating healthfully as well” (SP10).Change of habits: Participants in the action stage wished to learn about healthy habits that will enable them to promote a more healthful life: “Joining the program to enhance knowledge of healthy eating/cooking from experts. I expect to learn healthy habits” (SP03); “I would like to develop good cooking and eating habits that will promote a more healthful life” (SP10).Participants emphasized their wish for an overall change in their lifestyle: “A change in my lifestyle (balancing work and taking care of myself and my family, making time to eat during work hours, eating not in front of a TV)” (SMC10); “to learn about using the new technologies for personal change and health reasons” (SP02); “I am hoping I can learn how to use my time wisely and to learn how to cook” (SP06).Participants wished to keep/lose weight but consider this as part of an overall behavior change in their habits and lifestyle: “All my life I have struggled with weight. I want to make a lifestyle change to live right” (SMC23); “Would like to lose weight from cooking more often and eating more nutritious meals, better portion control” (SP01); “I would like to eat properly and maintain the correct weight for my size and to become physically fit” (SP12); “to change lifestyle with prepping and eating healthy foods to lose weight and reduce inflammation” (SP13).