Why did you create this video series?

Based on survey responses, active duty military members and their families prefer to learn about nutrition from an online nutritional cooking class. We didn’t have that resource available, so we built it from the ground up.

Why/how did you choose these recipes?

Recipes were chosen based on what surveyed active duty military members are currently eating. 

What is the Level Up system on the video series?

“Level Up” is based on the idea that the most sustainable changes to our diet occur when we modify recipes that we already eat. Level Up recipes increase the nutritional value of the recipes while trying to maintain the food’s original identity, including similar flavors and textures.  

Where did you film the video series?

The Nutrition Kitchen was filmed at the Warrior Fitness Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Where can I watch the videos?

Anyone can access the videos once they've been posted on the AFMS YouTube Nutrition Kitchen Playlist.

Where can I go to access the recipes?

You can find complete written versions of our recipes here. Every episode has new recipes, so tune in for more episodes in the future.

Will I see immediate improvements in my health after following these recipes?

Nutritional need is individualized, and improvements in health depend on where you are starting from and what upgrades you make. Nutrition is one key piece of several important factors for your health. Following these recipes is definitely a step in the right direction, and understanding the concepts shared in the video will help you to "level up" your health!

Are these meals appropriate for people of all ages?

Although meals were developed based on what active duty military members aged 18-50 are currently eating, the recipes were eaten and approved by many families with children. These meals are a great source of nutrition for all and can be enjoyed by adults and children who are eating complementary foods like these appropriate to their development.

Will there be a Nutrition Kitchen Season 2?

We hope so! Every additional Like, Share, Subscribe and Comment increases the likelihood of a Season 2.

Can I suggest future recipes or feedback for Nutrition Kitchen?

Absolutely! Nutrition Kitchen was built by listening to our audience, and we plan to continue incorporating feedback moving forward. Click on the survey links posted in the YouTube description section of each video to suggest future recipes and provide feedback.

Where can I find full journal article references?

You can find official references on our Nutrition Kitchen Sources page.

How are costs per serving calculated?

All costs are calculated using Department of Defense Commissary prices at time of filming.

How are recipes scored?

The nutritional scoring system used in Nutrition Kitchen was inspired by the Go 4 Green (G4G) joint-service performance-nutrition initiative with some adjustments to reflect the most recent nutrition evidence as applicable to home meals. It isn’t perfect, but we believe it is more accurate and less biased than most other nutritional scoring systems available. Transparency is important to us, so we have provided the scoring methodology here.

Who developed Nutrition Kitchen?

The idea for Nutrition Kitchen was generated from research performed by U.S. Air Force Maj. Philip Clerc, a USAF adult endocrinologist. Endocrinologists are physicians who specialize in areas such as diabetes, obesity, thyroid conditions, and nutrition. The Nutrition Kitchen final product was created by a large multidisciplinary group of physicians, registered dietitians, behavioral health providers, public affairs representatives, USAF leadership, and many more. During each step of development, we incorporated feedback and ideas from active duty service members and their spouses.