Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to the rising rates of obesity. Making smart food choices can improve management of diabetes and lead to a longer, healthier life.
“People with diabetes used to be more restricted in the types of foods they were able to eat,” states Katherine French, registered dietitian with Penn State Cooperative Extension. “Now, they have a lot more freedom in choices, so good balanced food intake and portion controls are very important.”
The extension is offering “Dining with Diabetes: A Program for Adults with Diabetes and their Families,” which offers nutritional suggestions to help those with diabetes control their disease.
Each class taught by French and chef, Mark Arnold, offers important nutrition information to help manage diabetes, food demonstrations and tasting, and ideas for increasing physical activity.
The series consists of four weekly classes plus one follow-up class two months later. Each participant in the program will receive: educational materials, recipe book, fitness DVD, pedometer and a stretch band. Two finger-prick lab tests will be offered to measure hemoglobin A1C, lipids, along with measuring blood pressure and waist circumference.
We take these measurements because we want participants to know their health-related numbers. Knowing these numbers is critical in helping them to manage their diabetes.
Two upcoming Dining with Diabetes series will be conducted. The first will be held on Wednesdays -- March 10, 17, 24 and 31. The second will be held on Thursdays -– April 8, 15, 22 and 29.
Both will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Extension office, 463 North Perry Highway (Route 19) north of Mercer. The cost is $35 for an individual or $50 if the individual decides to bring their significant other or anyone who is in responsible for the meal planning in the household. The fee includes all educational materials, lab tests and food taste tests. The program is valued at $120.
For more information on the program, plan to attend an informational meeting at the same location.
The informational meeting for the March series will be held at 10 a.m. today. The informational meeting for the April series will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 25. To register to attend one of the informational meetings or for more information please call 724-662-3141 ext.303.
The “Dining with Diabetes” program is made possible by USDA funding and a grant from the state Department of Health. Penn State also partnered with Joslin Diabetes Center, which is affiliated with Harvard Medical School.
