Cooking Up a Healthy Diabetes Plan
by KFYR TV Juli McDonald
Posted on 9/17/2010
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A diabetes diagnosis doesn’t have to mean an end to good food and creative cooking. Classes at the St. Alexius Diabetes Cooking School have started up. It’s called Diabetes E.T.C., which stands for Education, Treatment and Cooking. When hunger strikes, most people might just reach for whatever they find in the kitchen cabinet. But for diabetics, each meal or snack involves a little thinking, planning and research, and the cooking school at St. Alexius wants to help.
(Kathy Stewart, St. Alexius Certified Dietician and Diabetes Educator): “The carbohydrates, fat content of food, have an immediate affect on their blood sugar control,” says Kathy Stewart, a St. Alexius dietitian. “Rather than just teaching people what to eat, quantities and so forth, this class we can go further and give the how to cook and taste the recipes in a fun learning environment.”
Nancy Jo Bateman of the Beef Commission was at the class to share beef recipes and explain why the protein source is a good choice for diabetics.
(Nancy Jo Bateman, ND Beef Commission): “As long as you’re looking for a lean cut of beef, a rule of thumb for that is to look for anything that has the word loin or round in the name. Sirloin, top loin, eye of round. Those types of cuts are extremely lean and very packed full of nutrients,” Bateman explained.
Ruby Freed was diagnosed with diabetes last November. Since then, she’s lost 40 pounds, partly thanks to the lessons she’s learned in these classes.
(Ruby Freed, Cooking School Participant): “How to read labels,” she says. “I never realized there was so much information on the back. I used to just grab what I wanted. Now I look at the back and look at how many carbs are in it, and nope, that’s too many.”
Bateman says her hope for the classes is that diabetics walk away with the knowledge of food options they didn’t know they had and a better handle on managing their disease.
Future Cooking School Sessions:
Download Information Here!
Thursday, October 21
7-9 p.m.
St. Alexius’ Boniface Auditorium (use East Patient Entrance)
Featuring:
- Char Herr, LRD, Midwest Dairy Association
“Say Cheese”- Kay Wanner, LRD, CDE, St. Alexius and
Kathy Stewart, LRD, CDE, St. Alexius
“Blood Glucose Monitoring and Pattern Management”Thursday, November 18
7-9 p.m.
St. Alexius’ Boniface Auditorium (use East Patient Entrance)
Featuring:- Duane Ehrens, St. Alexius’ Head Chef
“Holiday Cooking”- Dr. Eric Hart, DPM, Mid Dakota Foot & Ankle Clinic
“Foot Care and Diabetes”
Each class costs $20 per person to register or two classes for $35. To register, or for more information, call 530-7860.