FOR many people living in Bolton, the issue of healthy eating comes a long way down the list of day-to-day priorities.

Faced with high living costs and rising bills, the prospect of rustling up a balanced yet cost effective meal for the family seems almost impossible.

And then comes the issue of knowing what to cook to meet the necessary health requirements — without breaking the bank.

But for those living in some of the most deprived areas of Bolton, help is at hand in the shape of series of specialist food courses.

Offered by the Food and Health Team — part of Bolton’s NHS Foundation Trust — the aim is for individuals and families to lead healthier lifestyles.

Poverty across the borough is high. The most recent figures show 17 per cent of children in some areas of Bolton are classed as living in poverty.

And with many parents admitting to cutting back on food and even skipping meals in order to make ends meet, the courses are a vital support.

Debbie Grimoldby is the community nutrition worker for the 12- week Cook4Life adult course, which took place at the Deane and Derby Community Learning Centre.

She said: “Cook4Life is targeted at the more deprived areas in Bolton.

We want to promote healthy eating.

A lot of people don’t cook for themselves anymore. So much of this course is about getting back to basics.

“We are not expecting any Jamie Olivers but we just want to get people cooking healthy, balanced and cheap meals.

“It’s about teaching people to cook simple meals that they can make easily at home for their families.”

Each two-hour session costs just £2 and the 12-strong group was taught about different food types through discussions and demonstrations.

People were also given help creating their own “recipe folders” and went on a visit to Morrison’s supermarket to learn about sensible shopping.

Mike Holding, from Deane, had never cooked for himself. He lived off canteen food and then ready meals following his retirement.

But after being referred to the course by his health advisor, the 63-year-old former MBDA company worker said his life had been transformed.

“I live on my own and was just used to various ready meals as I did not have a clue when it came to cooking,” he said.

“It has given me the confidence to cook for the first time and I have even lost three-quarters of a stone as I am cooking and eating properly now.

“I have not touched a ready meal since.”

Keen to reach out and improve the healthy eating of others, the course encourages individuals to put into action the skills and techniques they learn.

The group prepared a meal from scratch each week to take home.

Mr Holding added: “I have half in the evening and then freeze the rest, but for families it is great for them. It is a bargain for what you learn.

“All it costs is £2 each week, it pays for the ingredients and you get a meal for four people out of it.”

The second course was the free eight-week long Happy Healthy Toddler Club at Tonge Children’s Centre.

It offers advice to families with toddlers about healthy eating, physical activity and positive parenting, with the aim to reduce the risk of diet-related diseases later in life. Research carried out by NHS Bolton last year highlighted a direct relationship between the highest prevalence of obesity and the most deprived areas of Bolton.

And with Tonge and Farnworth having one of the highest obesity levels in the borough, food and health advisor Lizzie Ashworth stressed the course’s importance.

She said: “The courses act as a way of prevention for us to cut down on obesity and encourage a healthier lifestyle.

“Eating habits and activities are formed early on and so if the changes are not made with children now, it will often be difficult when they get older.”

Each two-hour session starts with a 30-minute parent and child session, focusing on a physical activity and finger food.

Emphasis is placed on the fivestep eating rule where children are encouraged to discover foods using all their senses.

With the children in the crèche, parents then spend a further 90 minutes learning other skills, such as label reading and recipe planning.

Claire Archbould, a 36-year-old housing association worker from Morris Green, attended the course with her two-year-old daughter Anisa Salami.

She said: “I used to struggle to get Anisa to eat a variety of foods but now she is trying lots of different things. She loves coming shopping with me, she will sit there and point out Billy Brocolli and Captain Carrot.”

The nightmare of getting children to eat balanced food is one often faced by parents.

But with the course introducing a new fruit and vegetable each week, Miss Archbould recommended it for anyone.

Further courses will be run from the end of April at Little Lever’s Children’s Centre and Orchard’s Children’s Centre.

Cook4Life courses are also scheduled for Halliwell and Little Lever next month.

Additionally, Baby’s First Foods, a one-off 90-minute session for new and expectant parents, will be running across the borough every Monday and Tuesday morning.

Anyone interested in the courses should contact their local children’s centre or The Food and Health Team on 01204 462694.