Medical experts, including Endocrinologists and Nutritionists, have neutralized the unsubstantiated beliefs that eating foods with salt, carbohydrates, and some other spices could increase the chances of someone to get diabetes, or aggravate the case for people who are already diabetic. The doctors said the challenge is the ability to know the proper quantity, the presentation and packaging of the food so it could be more friendly to the health situation, and not outrightly staying away from the food.👉 For More READ FULL CONTENT FROM THE SOURCE ↔️
Speaking on the behalf of the doctors at a culinary contest organized for the doctors in Abuja, Dr. Alex Nnadozie, said the contest was organized in conjunction with Snugg-Nest Care Givers Foundation, as a part of the awareness campaign ahead of the World Diabetes Day in November.
He said: “Diabetic patients deserve the best of life. Being diabetic doesn’t mean that one’s should be halted or become boring. Often times, when somebody is diagnosed of having metabolic disease like diabetes, and they are asked to avoid this and that, and as a result, life and feeding become boring.
“They would see people tasting and eating colourful foods, but they can’t have it because of the doctors advice, but that should not be. Oftentimes, the doctors restrict their diabetic patients to certain diet or feeding pattern. We decided to engage the doctors in cooking competition so they could, through that way, practically educate the patients on better ways to feed. How they should prepare their food, and how tasty it should be.
“These doctors, through the culinary contest, are expected to show their diabetic patients how to prepare healthy foods that’s tasty, colourful, appetizing and nutritious. They are judged based on their ability to create healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner for the diabetic patients, while nutrients, packaging, and presentation, are considered in the decision. A Specialist in metabolic diseases (Endocrinologist), a certified Nutritionist and a Chef, made up the Judges panel.”
Dr. Nnadozie further explained that diabetes, being a metabolic diseases has a lot of components. “It could be obesity, lifestyle issues, genetic or other factors. When you see obesity, then hypertension is knocking on the door, as well as diabetes. That’s why they go together. The metabolic factors that brings one also attract the other.
“Nevertheless, you should know that there are people who are diabetic and not hypertensive, and vice versa. High Blood Pressure (HBP) is very common among the black race. Some people will start with diabetes, and hypertension will join soon after. Some might already be hypertensive, then diabetes comes later.
Meanwhile, Chidera Ijeoma, Administrative Officer, Snug-Nest Foundation, told journalists that the Foundation is committed to promoting healthy diet among the people, hence the decision to partner with the doctors who often diagnose the disease.
She said: “The doctors diagnoses the disease, and follow it with strict warnings on what and what not to eat or drink. So, we decided to engage them so they can practically show us how to make healthy food for people with different health challenges, and in this case, diabetes patients. It’s part of our public sensitization campaign ahead of the forthcoming World Diabetes Day in November.
“However, we focus on providing care to the elderly in the community, and it’s a known fact that diabetes is more on the elderly people than younger people. Our interest in this culinary competition with the doctors is to increase awareness on diabetes generally, and more importantly to the elderly.”👉 For More READ FULL CONTENT FROM THE SOURCE ↔️
