Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives Recipe Nutrition Goals

 Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives (HKHL) is annual conference that bridges nutrition science, health care, and the culinary arts. A collaboration between the Harvard Chan School’s Department of Nutrition and The Culinary Institute of America, the conference was created to teach medical professionals about nutrition and self-care, so that they will be better prepared to teach patients valuable skills for leading healthier lives.

Achieving at least 6 out of 7 criteria below is a shared and aspirational goal for every HKHL recipe, some of which are featured in our recipe bank (where indicated).

Type of Recipe

Calorie Limit* (kcal)

Fiber Goal (g)

Carbohydrate: Fiber Ratio (g:g)

Saturated Fat Limit (g)

Trans Fat Limit (g)

Sodium Limit (mg)

Added Sugar Limit** (g)

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Entrées

500

7

<5:1

5

0

500

7

Sides

200

3

<5:1

2

0

200

3

One Dish Lunch or Dinner Meals

700

10

<5:1

7

0

700

10

Plant-Based Protein Goal:
>50% plant-based protein (beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains) for the day***

 *These calorie limits are based on a 2,000 kcal diet. The items above do not include beverages or snacks that may contribute calories to the daily diet. Daily caloric needs are based on age, gender, and physical activity level. Some individuals may require more or fewer calories than this per meal and per day.

**Does not include natural sugars from dairy, fruits, or vegetables. The American Heart Association recommendation for added sugar is a maximum of 24g for women (6 teaspoons) and 36 grams for men (9 teaspoons).

***The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8g/kg (0.36g/lb) body weight per day. This equates to 54g protein per day for an individual who weights 150lbs. For reference, the protein content of 1/2 cup of cooked beans is 8g; 1 ounce of nuts is 7g; and 1 cup of chopped broccoli is 2.5g. Most Americans consume protein beyond the needed recommendations.


Adapted from the February 2020 Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives conference at The Culinary Institute of America. Copyright© 2020 The Culinary Institute of America.

Terms of Use

The contents of this website are for educational purposes and are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The Nutrition Source does not recommend or endorse any products.