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About Us
County Impact Statements - Boone County
Diabetes Cooking School
The number of Arkansans with diabetes seems to be increasing at an alarming
rate. Selecting and preparing foods that are low in sugar, fat, and sodium can
be a real challenge for diabetics. This program was designed to assist diabetics
and those who cook for diabetics. The goals of the program were to help
participants learn effective ways to deal with diabetes, add variety to the
diabetic diet, improve food selection and food preparation.
Sessions were offered in the afternoon and evening for two days at the North
Arkansas Regional Medical Center. Participants received information on dealing
with diabetes, modifying recipes, and using everyday ingredients as well as
ingredients such as tofu and flax seed. Class participants were treated to a
tasting of recipes featured during the class.
The school received positive reviews from the 33 participants and requests
were made for additional classes. According to evaluations, participants learned
what flax seeds are and how to use them, learned how to count carbohydrates,
learned the effects of protein and fat in a diabetic diet, learned the
importance of meal planning to allow for sugar and carbohydrates in the diet,
use of tofu, and the importance of reading food labels. All participants
received a diabetic cookbook and resource information.
Registered dietician, Tammie Giminez, and Boone County Extension Agent, Nita
Cooper, conducted the school. The Boone County Extension Homemakers also
assisted with the program.
Blood glucose testing during Diabetes Cooking School.
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Impacts
The following are comments from participants:
- "Diabetic foods have a much better taste now and are easier to prepare!"
- "I learned how to utilize the nutrition label. Thanks!"
- "I learned to watch the fat grams, and that exercise is important."
- "The information on the importance of eating carbohydrates and protein
together was very helpful."
- "I will definitely adapt some of my main dish recipes. I really
appreciate the information on using tofu."
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