Preventing diabetes - and other obesity-related diseases in children who are overweight or obese - is the reason I started Growing Healthy Kids, Inc. There is an urgent need to improve health literacy at a local level about
this preventable disease. Knowing where to start is often confusing. Focusing on real foods is how I create solutions for families who want to gain the upper hand on a disease whose complications include increased risk
of kidney failure, lower limb amputations, and blindness. When a teenager develops type 2 diabetes, there is another dimension to side effects and complications for which physicians have not been prepared; developing diabetes before age 20 is estimated to reduce a lifespan by about 15 years.
This Saturday, June 7, I will be teaching a healthy cooking class at Florida Veggies
& More. Participants will learn tips for controlling their blood sugar,
blood pressure, cholesterol and weight as well as delicious recipes using
locally grown farm fresh vegetables.
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| Children from the Youth Guidance Mentoring and Activities Program at a recent GROWING HEALTHY KIDS program at Florida Veggies and More in Vero Beach. |
According to Heinrich, “Knowing what to eat if you
are diagnosed
with diabetes (or prediabetes) is a mystery for most people. Advice such as "just cut out the
sugar" and "go to the library and get a book about diabetes"
does not provide the practical “what to buy” and “what to eat” confidence that
people need to prevent the complications that accompany uncontrolled diabetes
or to get on a path towards healthier eating.”
series of healthy eating workshops which began in January. Dan and Lisa Brenneman, owners of the hydroponic farm, are excited to announce that the Healthy Cooking with Nancy Heinrich, The Healthy Diabetes Coach series will resume in September with the start of the next growing cycle. This Saturday’s class is at 2:00 and is open to the public. Kids, of course, are welcome. For $5, attendees receive a small plate, the recipes and evidence-based health tips. The class is at Florida Veggies and More, located at 6755 37th Street. For more information, contact Lisa Brenneman at 772-559-5641 or me at 772-453-3413.
See you at the farm!
Nancy Heinrich
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids
