Abstract
This study examined young adults' knowledge of basic food preparation and attitudes toward food preparation. The results indicate that the overall food preparation knowledge of young adults is low, yet the vast majority overestimates their knowledge. Young adults tend to have positive attitudes toward food preparation, but view preparing foods from "scratch" more negatively than just cooking. Limited knowledge may prevent young adults from fully implementing general food preparation recommendations designed to improve the healthfulness of foods. Inaccurate self-ratings of food preparation knowledge may present challenges to nutrition professionals when counseling clients.