Diabetes Nutrition Demo

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla., November 20, 2017 On Nov. 9, Florida Hospital New Smyrna hosted a free diabetes nutrition cooking demonstration featuring healthier holiday recipes, such as edamame succotash, a roasted vegetable salad with apple cider vinaigrette, and pumpkin cheesecake. Florida Hospital New Smyrna executive chef Jeff Pitterman performed a cooking demonstration to show attendees how to prepare these diabetes-friendly foods. Guests tasted the recipes afterwards to prove that healthy foods don't have to be flavorless. In this diabetes-friendly version of cranberry sauce, it is sweetened naturally by the fruit juice and applesauce, so there isn't as much sugar as the store versions. At just 60 calories per serving, you can put some on your plate this Thanksgiving and feel good about eating one of the top antioxidant-rich foods, said Pitterman. Ounce-for-ounce, cranberries have more antioxidants than other superfoods like spinach and blueberries. During the event, Florida Hospital New Smyrna diabetes education manager Patty Palmer provided educational information for those living with diabetes and Florida Hospital New Smyrna registered dietitian Jayne Meade demonstrated how to make healthy eating choices. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes is growing at an epidemic rate. In Florida, more than 50 percent of the adult population are battling diabetes: approximately 2.3 million people have diabetes and an additional 5.8 million have prediabetes. Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Having diabetes nearly doubles your chance of having a heart attack, Palmer said. The good news is that good diabetes control can reduce your risks for diabetes complications. Being overweight does increase your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain, said Meade. A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as a healthy eating for anyone. Your diet should be low in saturated fats and transfats, and moderate in salt and sugar. Whenever possible, you should choose lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and fruit. About Florida Hospital New Smyrna Florida Hospital New Smyrna is a member of Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization with 45 hospital campuses and 8,200 licensed beds in nine states, serving more than 5 million patients annually. With a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ, Florida Hospital New Smyrna has 112-beds and is one of the seven Florida Hospitals in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the Florida Hospital Central Florida Division - North Region. As the largest hospital system in the area, the Florida Hospital Central Florida Division - North Region has 1,226 beds and more than 7,800 employees. For more information about Florida Hospital New Smyrna, visit www.FHNewSmyrna.org. Photo Caption: Florida Hospital New Smyrna executive chef Jeff Pitterman and Florida Hospital New Smyrna registered dietitian Jayne Meade led a demonstration for the community on preparing healthy, diabetes-friendly foods on Nov. 9.