COOKING WELL WITH DIABETES
In 2003, Texas AgriLife Extension Service developed Cooking Well with Diabetes to reinforce the practical application of the nutrition and self-care educational series, Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes.
Relevance
Type 2 diabetes is a growing health problem in Texas.
About 1.8 million adults have been diagnosed with the disease, and that number continues to rise.
Untreated diabetes can lead to long-term health complications. Th e cost of caring for diabetes is 2.3 times higher than for those without the disease. Increased loss of time from work due to illness and, ultimately, a decreased quality of life are also results.
Research has shown that education is the single most important thing people with diabetes can do to improve their health status and prevent the onset of complications.
Diabetic individuals can control their blood glucose levels and improve their overall health by following their physician’s treatment plans.
Success Stories
“With all that my wife and I have learned in both the diabetes and cooking well programs, my hemoglobin A1c has gone from 13.7 in February to 6.0 in June.”
“Know how to count carbs easily and effectively. Learned to apply the plate method, and to modify recipes effectively. I’d done all of these before, but was not effective or able to apply. Now I truly understand and can use things I’d learned, but not put them into practice. Have wonderful resources at hand to refer to where others were complicated and unclear.”
“When eating out, I bring half of my food home. Also, I am trying to do better with adding fiber, which I never did before.”
“Practical application of methods of food preparation. Clear, concise examples. Multi-methods (hear-seedo) of learning.”
"Taught me how to be more aware of food labels and which foods are better for me. Very informative!”
“I learned more about starchy and non-starchy foods, carbohydrates, and how they affect my blood glucose. I also learned how to count carbohydrates and about using the plate method to control how much that I eat.”
“I have had lower blood glucose results and continued my weight loss. Have been told my complexion is changed and that I look better. I believe it is due to healthier eating habits. Reading food labels!”
“Reduced frying with grilling meats. I especially liked the baked fish served in class and plan on using the recipes. Although I do not have diabetes, I am cooking for one.”
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