Free diabetes recipe book launched

30 Oct 2015

In November, National Diabetes Awareness Month, well-known foodie, Heleen Meyer, in partnership with Pharma Dynamics, the Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology (CDE) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA (HSFSA) will launch a free diabetes-focussed recipe book.

The book aims to inspire, motivate and educate the estimated 3.5 million South Africans living with diabetes and create awareness among the broader public of the risk factors associated with the condition.

Meyer, who is known for her practical, easy-to-follow recipes in the 'Cooking from the Heart' recipe book series, says the latest edition offers people with diabetes advice on how to live the life they want to through optimal nutrition and will contribute to the overall health and well-being of everyone that chooses to follow this way of eating.

The 'Cooking from the Heart' recipe book series complements Pharma Dynamics' on-going drive to promote healthy eating among the South African public and forms an integral part of its umbrella wellness campaign, called iChange4Health. This initiative, which focuses on diet, physical activity, smoking cessation and alcohol use, has been specifically created for healthcare practitioners to help them motivate patients with high risk factors to make healthier lifestyle choices - promoting a preventative strategy over a curative approach.

Mariska van Aswegen, spokesperson of Pharma Dynamics says 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, is 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," says van Aswegen.

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.

Get a copy from your GP or download the recipes and cooking tips from www.cookingfromtheheart.co.za.