You Are What You Eat!
Bringing people together through food and conversation, MCenhancement, Men Only IOW, and Equals IW partnered with Isle of Wight Council Adult and Community Learning to run three Food and Mood workshops. Funded by the Council, the sessions were held at Rodger and Steve’s Warm Space/Safe Place in Ryde.
The second workshop took place on Tuesday 16 December 2025. Eight men joined Mark and Cece to learn about food, culture, and mood, and how what we eat can support emotional wellbeing and mental health.
The group worked with Mark to explore the Eatwell Guide. They learned about different types of food and drink and how much of each we should have to keep a healthy, balanced diet. This included fruit and vegetables and starchy foods such as potatoes, bread, rice and pasta.
In small groups participants discussed other foods including dairy and alternatives, beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat, and other proteins. Everyone learned how eating well is linked to a healthy lifestyle, helping us feel better and support our long-term health.
Most participants also joined a full group discussion about oils and spreads, foods high in fat, salt and sugar, hydration, and alcohol.
The group enjoyed taking part in the Eatwell Guide Quiz and the “5 A Day” Kahoot quiz.
After this Cece led a cooking session where everyone learned how to prepare a Filipino cultural Christmas buffet. The dishes included fresh vegetables, rice, noodles, pastry, festive sausage meat, chicken, and gammon. Participants worked together in small groups to prepare the ingredients, cook the food, and share the meal.
Eating together also gave the group a chance to experience the social, emotional, and physical benefits of shared meals.
Together, the group learned about:
- The role of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats
- The importance of vitamins, minerals, and gut health
- How food choices can affect mood, confidence, and overall wellbeing
The Eatwell Guide resource book was helpful for all participants, including those with different learning needs. It supported good discussions and everyone took part and shared their ideas.
The session also helped improve emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, and self-esteem. It gave people a chance to relax, enjoy time with others in a safe and friendly space. And meet new people outside their usual routine.
Green Time Cultural Food and Mood, is a fun, informal way of using food to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health through the food we eat.
