Diabetes recipe book launched

In light of November being National Diabetes Month in South Africa, a new free of charge Diabetic-focused cook book, entitled Cooking from the Heart, is set to launch. Written by well-known foodie, Heleen Meyer, in association with Pharma Dynamics, Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology (CDE) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA (HSFSA). The book serves to guide people to live their best life through optimal nutrition.

Diabetes in South Africa
According to a statement by Mediclinic, “three-and-a-half million South Africans (about six percent of the population) live with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.”

In addition, a release by Discovery said: “According to the International Diabetes Federation, Africa is expected to have the greatest increase in diabetes worldwide in the next century, with predictions that Africa’s current number of 14.7 million incidences will nearly double by 2030.”

And while there is no cure per say for the disease, it can be well managed with a healthy lifestyle and required medication.
Diabetes Month seeks to educate the nation on the disease, the symptoms, the treatments, and how to manage it, in an aim to build a healthy society and get the message across that despite the diagnosis one is able to live a full life.

Cooking from the Heart cookbook
This message is brought to life in Meyer’s latest book as she aims to “offer people advice on how to live the life they want to through optimal nutrition,” but also to appeal to those living without diabetes in boosting their overall health and well-being.
All the recipes have been approved by HSFSA dieticians. In addition the book provides a healthy meal model and options (as it is an important part of the treatment plan), while maintaining the notion of food being a pleasurable experience.
 
The Cooking from the Heart book goes hand in hand with Pharma Dynamics’ ‘on-going drive’ and wellness campaign, iChange4Health, as they aim to promote healthy eating amongst South Africans. In addition to promoting a preventative strategy over a curative approach by making people aware of the risk factors in influencing change.
 
Spokesperson for Pharma-Dynamics, Maria van Aswegen, said: “With cardiovascular disease (CVD) ranking number one on the list of diabetes-related complications, this is a must-have cookbook for anyone who wants to improve his or her heart health, and it’s great for those with either pre-diabetes or full-blown diabetes.
 
“Managing your diet is the key to good diabetes control. Each of the 25 recipes, that include breakfast, snack, dinner and dessert ideas, are low in saturated fat, refined carbs and salt. It also provides twists on traditional favourites, nutritional and meal planning advice, along with portion control and most importantly, tastes great,”
 
The recipes have been analysed by HSFSA dieticians to provide full nutritional information for every recipe. A healthy plate model and lists of alternatives to help plan a healthy meal complete the edition, giving those affected by diabetes a cookbook that promises eating can continue to be one of life’s great pleasures, as well as the most important part of a treatment plan.
 
Meyer’s book will be made available to the public, at no cost, courtesy of Pharma Dynamics. Consumers can obtain a copy from their local GP or alternatively visit their website via www.cookingfromtheheart.co.za.