By Katie Cervantes, Pilot Light Intern
Why Food Education matters goes beyond what’s on your plate. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful food-related experiences can be during my two years of working at an eating disorder residential. Now, with my time at Pilot Light and my exploration of their Food Education Standards, I’ve come to appreciate how food can be the foundation of learning and healing.
I am a dietetic intern with experience supporting individuals in recovery from eating disorders. At the residential level of care, nutrition education plays a critical role in helping patients understand their relationship with food. We do this by reminding patients that food has no rules. Instead, we focus on exposure, compassion, and curiosity with new foods. This same approach is at the heart of Pilot Light’s mission. As I’ve explored how Pilot Light’s Food Education Standards show up in the classroom, I’ve realized how much overlap food education has in clinical recovery work and school-based learning.
Shifting from Rules to Relationships
One of the most important takeaways from my work in eating disorder recovery is that food is not simply fuel, but is emotional, cultural, and social. Many young children and adults grow up surrounded by internal messages about “good” vs “bad” foods or viewing food only through a health lens. In a residential setting, we counteract these beliefs by introducing flexibility and helping individuals build trust in their bodies, allowing them to find comfort in eating again.
That is why the Food Education Standard #4 feels especially powerful. Food Behaviors Are Influenced By External and Internal Factors. Teaching students to recognize that their choices are shaped not only by external but also internal influences gives them the tools to reflect on their food choices. In both treatment and the classroom, this kind of awareness can develop a healthier relationship with food.
Understanding Health
Another essential connection between my experience in eating disorder care and Pilot Light’s approach is reflected in Food Education Standard #5. Food Impacts Health. In treatment, we often emphasize that health is a multifaceted concept. It encompasses a person’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being. We work to reframe the idea that food is only valuable if it has a particular nutrient profile. Similarly, each patient receives individualized care tailored to the specific nutrients they may need.
Once students are invited to explore how different foods help them feel strong, happy, or connected, they can begin to see how food supports their lives rather than controls them. I’ve seen this subtle, yet powerful shift at the eating disorder center, where patients can become more energized and present in the moment.
Transforming Food Stories
Food Education matters because every student brings a unique flavor and food story into the classroom. I’ve witnessed the power of food stories and how they can spark growth and connection with food that might not have been there before. Whether in treatment or the classroom, there is so much potential for discovery through food. Let’s continue to help those build a meaningful relationship with food.
Why Food Education matters became clearer to me while interning at Pilot Light. Students are not just learning content, but they are learning about themselves. This is especially true in a residential setting as well. If you are an educator, caregiver, or community leader, I encourage you to explore Pilot Light and its Food Education Standards. These standards are the heart of every Pilot Light lesson and program, guiding students to think critically and compassionately about food. Students build lifelong skills by having food integrated into everyday learning.