JACKSON, Miss.—Learn how to lighten up your favorite foods at a heart-healthy cooking class from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 at Methodist Rehabilitation Center in Jackson.

Chef John Pelton, director of Nutrition Services at Methodist, and Executive Chef Fernando Coleman will demonstrate techniques that lower the fat and salt content of Southern classics.

“Because Mississippi has such high rates of obesity, heart disease and diabetes, it’s really critical for people to learn how to cook in a healthier way,” said Pelton. “Our class will teach strategies to accomplish that goal without sacrificing flavor.”

Pelton said he’ll demonstrate how to “oven-fry” catfish and chicken, how to use herbs to season vegetables and how to create cream soups that aren’t swimming in fat.

Participants will be able to taste a sampling of the foods prepared for the class and they’ll leave with a handful of recipes to try at home.

“I think people will be pleasantly surprised at how simple it is to transform their diet,” Pelton said. “There really is such a thing as light and tasty.”

Pelton said the free cooking class will be held in the hospital’s second floor cafeteria. For more information or to register for the class, call 601-364-3492.