While avoiding sugar and sweets is the only dietary precaution taken by most diabetics, not many are aware of what goes into the diet of a diabetic.
Skills
Under these circumstances, the cookery competition organised by the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism of the Christian Medical College in connection with World Diabetes Day here recently displayed the interest and skills of women in cooking recipes suited to the diabetics.
Nihal Thomas, Professor and Head of the Department said that though diabetes is on the rise, most cases are preventable with healthy lifestyle changes. Some can even be reversed.
“Taking steps to prevent and control diabetes does not mean giving up sweets entirely or resign yourself to a lifetime of bland `healthy food’. You can still enjoy your favourite foods and take pleasures from your meals without feeling hungry or deprived”, he said.
The Professor said that diabetes diet is simply a healthy eating plan that has appropriate nutrients, low in fat and moderate in calories. It is a healthy diet for anyone. The only difference is that you need to pay attention to some of your food choices and most notably the carbohydrates that you eat.
“The competition is an effort to create awareness on the nutritional aspects of home management of diabetes”, he said.
Prizes
From out of 18 teams that tested their culinary skills in cooking `Diabetes Millets Recipe’,
Gowthaman D., intern from the Department of Diabetes who prepared `Varagu Sambar Rice, Samai Curd Rice, Thinai Idiyappam, Egg Semiya, Bajra Egg Noodles and Varagu Dosa’ won the first prize.
The second prize was bagged by Kavitha from Sathuvachari who prepared `Vazhai Thandu Varagu Arisi Pulav, Navadhaniya Suraikkai Adai, Pachai Payaru Mushroom Kudai Milagai Samai Sadham, Kambu Solam Koozhu and Poondu Vendhiyam Varagu Kanji’.
The third prize was shared by two contestants—Sumithra who prepared `Thinai Pongal and Ragi Kozhukattai’ and Ida Florence Emily who prepared `Millet Poggy, Mixed Millet, Millet Ball with Ladies Finger, Masala Roti, Millet Uthappam and Varagu Uppuma’.
Organised by Dept. of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism of CMC in connection with World Diabetes Day