Published: July 04, 2009 02:27 pm      

OSU to offer 'Family Dining with Diabetes'

Do you have a child in your family that is a diabetic? If so you will want to attend the “Family Dining with Diabetes” Cooking School offered by the Pontotoc County OSU Extension Office on Thursday, July 16th at 5:30 – 8 p.m. The program will cover family exercise, diabetic cooking, portion size, nutrition, reading food labels and the keynote speaker will address, Calculation Diabetic Exchanges – Making it Work for You and Your Family. Registration for the evening is $10 per family and due to the OSU Extension office by Monday, July 13th. Space is limited, so register your family today!

For more information contact me at 332-2153.

Making the right food choice can sometimes be difficult. If you are diabetic making good food choices is important for a healthy lifestyle. Whether you need to lose weight or maintain your weight, a healthy meal plan can help. A healthy diet is a way of eating that reduces risk for problems such as heart disease and stroke.

Eat lots of vegetables and fruits and try picking from a rainbow of colors to maximize variety. Deeply colored fruits and vegetables provide a wide array of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals your body needs to maintain good health and reduce the risk of disease.

Variety is the best way to get the benefits each has to offer and color is an easy way to think about adding variety.

• Choosing whole grain foods, such as brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.

• Include dried beans, kidney or pinto beans into meals.

• Eating fish two to three times a week.

• Choosing leaner meats that end in “loin,” such as pork loin and sirloin. Be sure to remove the skin from chicken and turkey.

• Eating non-fat dairy.

• Drinking water and calorie-free “diet” drinks instead of regular soda, fruit punch, sweet tea and other sugar-sweetened drinks.

• Watching portion sizes.

Everyone with diabetes doesn’t have the same meal plan or same nutritional goals. It’s important for you to work with your health care team to identify a nutritional plan that suits your needs.

Additional information about diabetes is available through Oklahoma Cooperative Extension office. Information also can be found at the American Diabetes Association Web site at http://www.diabetes.org or by calling 1-800-DIABETES.