Diabetes Day promotes healthy living
Today is being observed around the globe as World Diabetes Day…and with such a large part of our population at risk for this dangerous condition, the experts were out in force trying to spread the word about the need for Belizeans to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
It is estimated that twenty percent of our population are diabetics, but president of the Belize Diabetes Association, Beth McBride, strongly believes there is a far greater number of persons suffering with the condition.
Beth McBride, President, Belize Diabetes Association
“Because of the risk groups that are in Belize. People at risk are people who are overweight, and if we look around our streets you can see many of the people walking around are overweight. It’s people who a have a family history of diabetes, and pretty well everybody we know can name somebody in their family who have diabetes. It’s people who are of Native Indian descent, we have those populations; people of Hispanic descent, and women who have given birth to babies over ten pounds, and it’s people who are over thirty. So we have a lot of people at risk for developing diabetes if they don’t already have it.”
Diabetes is not a curable disease, but can be prevented and controlled. One way the condition can be properly managed is by eating healthy foods. But as many diabetics, like myself, can attest to, it’s a challenge. Today, the B.D.A. held a fair to observe Diabetes Day and among the highlights was a display of foods that should be a part of your daily diet.
Christina Flores, Member, Belize Diabetes Association
“As diabetics according to our age and activity, we’re supposed to have a specific amount of calories for each individual.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Let’s look at some of the foods you have on display here. That’s a sandwich no doubt.”
Christina Flores
“With wheat bread.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Which is very important, so you use the wheat bread instead of the white bread.”
Christina Flores
“This other plate, here you have your vegetables, your protein, your fruit, and flour tortilla made of whole wheat too. The same thing on this plate with your whole wheat bread, your vegetables and your protein. So whatsoever you are preparing, what you need to think about is how to combine the six food groups to make a balance meal.”
Jacqueline Woods
“We do get hungry throughout the day, so instead of grabbing a chocolate or a cookie…”
Christina Flores
“You would probably take vegetables instead, or fruit. Vegetables and fruit are some of the best foods to snack on.”
B.D.A. member Christina Flores says it is important that each person has his or her own special diet because what is good for one person may not necessarily be right for another.
This year, Diabetes Week focused on kidney problems caused by the disease and what people can do to safeguard the health of those vital organs. Immediately following tonight’s newscast we will air a short documentary entitled: Diabetes could cost you your kidneys.
