MSU Extension’s free online program brings nutrition education to the public

Amy Shovels<shovels@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Updated from an original article written by Erin Powell.

My Way to Wellness provides guidance for better nutrition, food safety, and active living through a free online program.

Woman reading food label while grocery shopping
Photo by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

My Way to Wellness is a free online nutrition education program created by Michigan State University Extension for individuals across the state of Michigan. The self-paced program can be completed at participants’ convenience, using a computer or handheld device with internet access. 

Participants learn about eating practices that meet nutrient needs, support health, and help prevent disease, based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate. My Way to Wellness offers strategies for meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking, along with tips for stretching food dollars and making healthy choices on the go. In addition to nutrition education, the program provides guidance on meeting daily physical activity recommendations and essential tips to ensure safe food practices when storing, cooking, and transporting food.  

The program consists of 10 lessons, each about 30 minutes in length. All lessons include an interactive video module, recipes, and goal-setting resources. The video modules are closed-captioned and feature voice-over narration, with periodic knowledge checkpoints to support learning. 

The ten My Way to Wellness lessons are: 

  • Lesson 1: My Way to Wellness.
  • Lesson 2: Your Nutrition and Physical Activity Needs.
  • Lesson 3: Building a Healthy Plate.
  • Lesson 4: Picking the Portion That’s Best for You. 
  • Lesson 5: What’s Inside? Reading Food Labels. 
  • Lesson 6: Fats and Sugars.
  • Lesson 7: Meal Planning. 
  • Lesson 8: Fruits and Vegetables.
  • Lesson 9: Healthy Habits. 
  • Lesson 10: Energy, A Balancing Act. 

My Way to Wellness is delivered through Michigan State University’s online learning platform, D2L. Before beginning the lessons, participants must register for an MSU Guest account with D2L using a personal email address. Once registered, they can enroll in My Way to Wellness, as well as other community education courses (link coming soon). 

After completing the course, a survey of 94 program participants showed improved fruit and vegetable intake, increased physical activity, better food safety practices, and stronger cooking and shopping skills. Based on participant feedback, program content and delivery methods were updated in 2023 to enhance learning and engagement. 

Michigan State University Extension offers My Way to Wellness for both individual and group cohort learners. When available, participants may join a regional online cohort facilitated by an MSU Extension Community Nutrition Instructor, who provides support and opportunities for discussion throughout the course. A fully self-paced version without facilitation is also available, and both options are free to all participants. 

My Way to Wellness is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in partnership with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. My Way to Wellness is part of MSU Extension’s SNAP-Ed program, which provides nutrition education for individuals living in Michigan who are eligible for supplemental food assistance. Individuals, or agencies who serve income-eligible populations, can learn more by completing the Program Request Form below. 

To have an MSU Extension team member contact you about this program, please fill out this brief survey. 

Program Request Form 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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