The new year is the perfect time to put your health first. Jumpstart your wellness goals with the Cooking with Heart series at UnityPoint Health.
In 2026, we’re offering Cooking with Heart Foundational and bringing back Cooking with Heart for Cancer. These free, interactive four-week classes are led by UnityPoint Health nutrition experts and designed to help you make simple, affordable, heart-healthy changes while having fun in the kitchen.
Cooking with Heart Foundational is intended for anyone looking to transition toward plant-focused eating. Participants discover easy, flavorful recipes that don’t require hours in the kitchen, while also gaining essential cooking skills to prepare them confidently at home.
Cooking with Heart for Cancer is a hands-on class for those who have been touched by cancer – survivors, caregivers or loved ones. The dishes emphasize how nutrition can help reduce the risk of cancer or cancer recurrence. Participants will prepare eight or more delicious recipes and learn simple steps to make them part of their routine.
“We’re proud to offer a program that empowers people to take control of their health through food,” says Marli Apt, community engagement manager at UnityPoint Health – Trinity. “Participants gain confidence in the kitchen, learn new skills and walk away with habits that can truly improve their overall well-being. We’re honored to host this series because of all the wonderful benefits that come from eating with health in mind.”
“Over the past five years, we’ve seen Cooking with Heart transform lives. Participants are lowering their blood pressure, improving cholesterol, managing weight and even reversing early signs of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. It’s truly rewarding to see these changes start in the kitchen,” says Kathy Pulley, director of cardiology services at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Heart Center.
Cooking with Heart classes are taught from the state-of-the-art Cardiac Nutrition Center at Trinity Heart Center, 2701 17th St., Rock Island, Illinois. To register, visit unitypoint.org/cookingwithheart.
Cooking with Heart Class Schedule:
- Cooking with Heart for Cancer – Starts Jan. 5, Meets weekly on Mondays from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- Cooking with Heart Foundational – Starts Jan. 8, Meets weekly on Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Classes are in-person, and registration is required. Classes are free of charge thanks to the generosity of donors to Trinity Health Foundation and Cancer Support Community Iowa & NW Illinois at Gilda’s Club.
