2025.11.24 Lecture & Workshop: Brain Health and Nutrition Balance

Past Events

Promoting Senior Brain Health Through Nutrition & Culinary Engagement

Supported in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program
CCPH Collaborates with ACPN and Durham Foreveryoung Activity Centre

On November 24, 2025, the Canadian College of Public Health (CCPH) was honoured to collaborate with the Association of Certified Professional Nutritionists (ACPN) and the Durham Foreveryoung Activity Centre to deliver an engaging public-health education session titled “Brain Health & Nutrition Balance for Seniors.”

This event was part of the national series Nourishing Connections to Combat Loneliness by Cooking, which aims to enhance seniors’ mental, emotional, and social well-being through evidence-based learning and hands-on culinary activities.

CCPH’s Contribution to Community Public Health

CCPH was represented by Ms. Rose, a senior educator and public health specialist. Her keynote lecture translated complex nutritional science into practical knowledge for older adults, furthering CCPH’s mission to bridge public health research with community wellness.

Ms. Rose emphasized that cognitive health is influenced by long-term dietary patterns, not isolated “miracle foods.” She provided an accessible, evidence-based framework for seniors to incorporate brain-supportive choices into daily life.

Core Concepts Shared in the Lecture

  • Adopt a Brain-Friendly Eating Pattern:
    Integrate the Mediterranean Diet and MIND Diet, focusing on vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil.

  • Choose Healthy Fats:
    Prioritize Omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., salmon, sardines) and avoid trans fats.

  • Limit Refined Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates:
    Reduce blood sugar spikes that may affect memory, mood, and cognitive clarity.

  • Maintain Adequate Protein and Hydration:
    Support neurotransmitter production and essential brain functions.

Additionally, Ms. Rose introduced a holistic brain-health model, highlighting the importance of movement, social engagement, lifelong learning, high-quality sleep, and chronic disease management—elements central to CCPH’s public health education philosophy.

Cooking Workshop & Social Engagement

Following the lecture, seniors participated in a collaborative cooking workshop designed to promote social connectedness, confidence in preparing nutritious meals, and hands-on learning.

Participants worked together to prepare an impressive selection of dishes, including:

  • Braised beef, stuffed shrimp mushrooms

  • Okra with enoki salad, carrot & wood-ear mushroom stir-fry

  • Salt-roasted chickpeas and snow-skin mooncakes

  • Cod tofu soup, golden pumpkin white fungus lotus dessert

  • Taro purée and goji-rice

The kitchen buzzed with conversation, teamwork, and shared joy—illustrating how food-based activities can effectively reduce loneliness, an increasingly important public health issue affecting older adults.

Impact & Community Value

The event successfully combined public health education, nutrition science, and social engagement, offering seniors a supportive environment to learn, connect, and build healthier habits.
It demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary partnerships in advancing senior wellness and reducing isolation—core priorities within CCPH’s community outreach mandate.

CCPH Upcoming Event Announcement

Lecture & Workshop: Brain Health and Nutrition Balance

Followed by: Nourishing the Mind Through Cooking and Food Sharing

Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program
Supporting Organization: Canadian College of Public Health (CCPH)

The Association of Certified Professional Nutritionists (ACPN) is pleased to present the next session in our Nourishing Connections to Combat Loneliness by Cooking series. This meaningful program continues our mission to enhance senior wellness through nutrition education, culinary engagement, and community bonding.

This upcoming event is co-organized with the Durham Foreveryoung Activity Centre, with support from the Canadian College of Public Health (CCPH). Together, we are committed to promoting healthy aging, lifelong learning, and social connection across diverse communities.

The session will begin with a professional lecture on Brain Health and Nutrition Balance, offering evidence-based insights into how dietary patterns, essential nutrients, and lifestyle choices influence memory, cognitive performance, and emotional well-being.

Following the lecture, participants will take part in an engaging hands-on cooking and food-sharing workshop, designed to inspire joy, connection, and mindful eating. Attendees will prepare and enjoy a thoughtfully curated menu featuring refreshing appetizers, nourishing mains, and restorative soup — all developed to support brain, heart, and overall wellness.

Event Details:

📅 Monday, November 24, 2025
🕐 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Splendid China (锦绣中华二楼 2D23)
4675 Steeles Ave E, Scarborough, ON M1V 4S4
📞 Contact: Jim Tai – 416-829-3869