Living Well With Diabetes

BY KIM HUGHES –

Diabetes is widely recognized as one of the leading causes of death and disability in Arkansas.  The prevalence of diabetes in Arkansas has been at or above the national average for the past 10 years.

Diabetes is associated with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body.  The disease often leads to blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputations, and nerve damage.  Uncontrolled diabetes can complicate pregnancy; and birth defects are more common in babies born to diabetic women.

The Polk County Extension Service is planning a cooking school just for persons with diabetes, or for their caregivers.  In this series of classes you will learn about healthy cooking and meal preparation.  Topics include “Diabetes Overview,” “Preventing Complications,” “Diabetes and Exercise,” “Carbohydrates and Carbohydrate Counting,” and “Dining Out with Diabetes.”

After each lesson, we will have a meal preparation session to demonstrate how to prepare and serve a healthy meal for those with diabetes.  We will have a main dish, side dishes and dessert.

This program, “Living Well with Diabetes,” will be conducted on four consecutive Tuesdays beginning May 5 and continuing through May 26.  Each class stands on its own so you may choose to attend one or more classes, or all of them.  Cost of each class is $6.00 and includes the meal. Each class will be educational and fun.  Please pre-register by the Friday prior to each class.  Space is limited.  You can come by the Extension Office at 211 DeQueen Street in Mena or call 479-394-6018.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.  If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible.  Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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