ntrolled” plate with a balance of protein, starch, and vegetables in specified portions. Campers are allowed and encouraged to supplement their “controlled” meal with selections from our “self-controlled” food bar, which consists of a variety of fresh fruit and vegetable options, condiments/toppings, and proteins such as cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, soup, and egg whites. As the utilization of the “self-controlled” food bar is at each camper’s personal discretion with guidance from our dietitians, campers are able to create a diet that meets their individual caloric and nutritional needs. We teach campers you don’t need to be hungry to be healthy!
“I really love all of the food here and at the end of the day you never go to bed hungry.”
On a typical day, the “controlled” foods provide campers with their baseline calories and other nutrients with a focus on fiber and protein. This intake is supplemented by choices from the “self-controlled” food bar until a camper reaches the nutrient intake that is appropriate for him or her. The only requirement at meals is that campers self-monitor all of the food they eat. Campers then learn to use the information recorded in their self-monitoring journal (with the help of their behavioral coach and nutrition team) to determine the caloric intake that will help them reach their goals.
“The food is awesome. I loved almost every meal that they served”
Will I Feel Hungry?
By placing an emphasis on nutritious and filling foods such as lean proteins, high fiber starches, and natural produce, Wellspring meals allow campers to lose weight without feeling hunger or deprivation. The added ability to control their food intake from the “self-controlled” food bar allows our campers to make choices that are more “in tune” with their hunger levels at that specific time. This increases their mindful eating skills and reduces the chance that they will be hungry at the end of the meal. Most of the participants at our program report that they are pleasantly surprised to discover how much food they can eat while still losing weight!
How Will I Create Similar Menus At Home?
Nutrition And Culinary Skills For Lifelong Weight Control
Wellspring’s goal is to send your child home with all the skills necessary to maintain or continue weight loss at home. This includes both the ability to choose and prepare healthy meals and snacks. Our Culinary and Nutrition Programs were designed with exactly this goal in mind.
Hands-On Culinary Education
An essential component of any healthy lifestyle is the ability to prepare healthy meals. At Wellspring, campers attend weekly culinary classes where they learn how to prepare a wide variety of new and healthy dishes. They also become experts at modifying less healthful recipes in a way that increases their nutritional value and decreases their caloric density. This instruction is not only enjoyable, it’s highly beneficial, as campers return home prepared to take a more active role in the kitchen.
“Culinary and nutrition were my favorite parts of camp. I had an awesome time making and learning new recipes to use at home.”
Wellspring’s Culinary Program is highly informative and interactive. Topics covered in the curriculum include, but are not limited to:
- Basic Knife Skills
- Healthy Cooking Methods (baking, boiling, grilling, dry sautéing, etc.)
- Preparing healthy breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks
- Adding flavor with herbs, spices, and low calorie sauces
- Modifying ingredients and cooking method to increase recipe nutritional value
“I already had tried and attempted the sets-you-up-for-failure fad diets like the cabbage soup diet, slim fast, and other programs like Weight Watchers that never really made a lasting impression. It was time for something completely different and Wellspring was it. I truly can say that Wellspring is the best decision I ever made.”
Cassie lost 70 pounds over two summers with Wellspring
Integrated Nutrition Education
Most campers arrive at Wellspring having already sat through nutrition classes, met with dietitians, and followed various 