During the October class, the theme was “Taco Tuesday.” Dr. Chaudhari taught families how to make homemade tortillas with masa flour. They also prepared chicken, rice, beans and vegetables for taco toppings, as well as fresh guacamole and salsa. Many parents said they couldn’t wait to make fresh tortillas at home, after seeing how simple the process was.
“People with type 1 diabetes need to eat a healthy, balanced diet, just like the rest of us. » said Jones. “But they need to be especially aware of the carbohydrate content, because they have to calculate and inject insulin based on the grams of carbohydrates they plan to eat. It is not easy !
“The main goal is to maintain glucose levels in the optimal range to avoid long-term complications of diabetes, such as kidney, eye, nerve or cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Riddick said. “By teaching these cooking lessons at an early age, it will help children achieve their goals now and as adults.”
“I joined the Dining with Diabetes classes because I wanted to make more friends who also have diabetes. I really enjoy the classes and loved all the food! said Azzy Slattery, 15, of Albany.
So far, the group has made smoothies, pizza bagels, Caesar salad, barbecue chicken wraps, protein muffins and tacos. Dr. Chaudhari hopes to make pasta from scratch in the future.
“It’s not difficult to prepare delicious and healthy food,” Dr. Chaudhari said. “We hope that the creation of good eating habits continues from now on. These children will not have to focus on their diet as adults, they will already live it.”
