Healthy Cooking Class: Sugar Myths and Smart Baking

Learn about sugar and go bananas over cake in Melbourne! Bake and taste 3 different banana breads, plus bonus scrumptious snacks.

Sugar gets blamed for everything—but what’s evidence and what’s hype? In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore how different sugars and sweeteners are processed in the body, what truly influences blood sugar, and how to bake desserts that satisfy without the crash.

Led by a Public Health Nutritionist, you’ll learn how to cut through confusing health claims and make smarter ingredient swaps to suit your needs—whether that’s gluten-free, vegan, higher-protein, lower-sugar, or simply more nutrient-dense. We’ll look at how these changes affect flavour, texture, and structure so your baking still works.

You’ll also taste three banana breads and compare how different dietary approaches shift sweetness, moisture, and overall satisfaction.

What’s on the menu:

• Veggie sticks with silken tofu aioli – savoury, creamy, and a great blood sugar-friendly starter
• Silken tofu, chocolate & miso pudding with toasted hazelnuts – rich and creamy with a salty-sweet twist
• Banana bread 3 ways: Classic, Gluten-free & vegan and Macro-optimised

This class is perfect for the health-conscious home baker, parents, and anyone wanting to satisfy their sweet tooth. You’ll walk away knowing:

• How sugar and sweeteners are structured, metabolised, and marketed.
• How to adjust dessert recipes based on your needs and what's in your pantry.
• The impact of nutrient-dense ingredients in baking.
• How to balance sweetness and structure when swapping out sugar.

What you'll get

• A 2-hour class, plus 30 mins open discussion over morning tea.
• Nutrition insights into sugar & sweeteners: types, digestion, and how to swap for healthier ingredients.
• Share an appetiser and taste 3 banana breads (and take leftovers).
• Cheat sheets and recipes for home.

Beginner-friendly

Please wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes.