Dining With Diabetes classes in Wooster

Living with diabetes can be challenging and overwhelming.

What to eat at mealtimes?

How do I count carbohydrates?

What do I need to know about food labels?

What is my target blood sugar range before and after meals?

Ohio State University Extension and Wooster Community Hospital will answer these questions and more through the four-session Dining With Diabetes class from 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 5, 12, 19 and 26 in the hospital’s auditorium. The cost is $25 per person.

The class is for anyone with concerns about diabetes.

Participants will sample Dining With Diabetes recipes prepared by the hospital’s nutrition services department and learn how to prepare them at home. A registered dietitian from the hospital will join our family and consumer sciences staff to talk about managing diabetes through proper nutrition. We emphasize those with diabetes don’t need to sacrifice taste in their diets and provide tips on how to add flavor to food without using salt or sugar. We also include the recipes for the dishes served in each class and discuss what makes them healthy.

Our goal is to help participants gain confidence in managing their diabetes.

Each session focuses on a different area of managing diabetes:

—Living Well With Diabetes.

—Carbohydrates.

—Heart Health, Fats and Sodium.

—Vitamins, Minerals, Fiber and Putting It All Together.

Previous participants shared these comments about Dining With Diabetes on evaluations of the class:

—“I am much more aware of the carbs I consume.”

—“I learned to pay attention to food labels.”

—“I need to cut my portions!”

—“I learned the difference between starchy and nonstarchy veggies.”

More than 1.2 million Ohio adults are living with diabetes, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Diabetes costs Ohio $12.3 billion annually.

Managing diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association guidelines, is crucial to prevent long-term complications such as heart disease, kidney failure and vision loss while improving daily energy and quality of life.

If you are interested in joining the class, it’s a good idea to bring along a spouse, friend or loved one. Managing diabetes is a team effort.

To register for Dining With Diabetes, call the hospital at 330-263-8196.

Laurie Sidle is an Ohio State University Extension family and consumer sciences and 4-H program assistant and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or sidle.31@osu.edu.