Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative

The Power of Food for Diabetes Prevention and Treatment

Diabetes is a major public health problem of epidemic proportions. Eleven percent of the U.S. adult population has diabetes (up from 8 percent in 2007), and nearly one-third of those 65 and older have the disease. Uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to complications from head to toe, including stroke, loss of vision, heart disease, kidney failure, and various problems due to nerve damage and circulatory problems, such as erectile dysfunction or lower-extremity amputation. Research studies have demonstrated that a plant-based nutrition approach reduces the risk of diabetes and can greatly benefit those who have been diagnosed with the disease.

The goal of the Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative program is to empower people who have diabetes and those concerned about developing diabetes, along with their friends and family members with new information and skills. Each class offers a cooking demonstration, and provides samples of delicious, health-promoting dishes, along with a take-home packet of easy and affordable recipes.

Featured Class Topics

• Introduction to How Foods Fight Diabetes
• The Power of Your Plate and Grocery Cart
• Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
• Designing a Diet for Maximum Weight Control
• Using the Glycemic Index
• Keeping a Healthy Heart
• Diabetes Care from Head to Toe
• Making It Work for You

A well-planned plant-based diet has many nutritional benefits and has been demonstrated to be as acceptable as the portion-controlled diet for diabetes management. A plant-based diet has also been endorsed by the American Dietetic Association and described as a safe choice in the 2009 American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care for Diabetes.

Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes is the text we use in our diabetes classes. The text includes a wealth of nutrition information and recipes! Purchase the book >

The blenders used in many of our Food for Life classes were generously donated by the Vita-Mix Corporation.

The cookware and induction burners used in many of these classes were generously donated by Saladmaster.

New instructors and cities are frequently added. Watch this site for new classes near you.

ALASKA
Anchorage, Alaska
- Providence Family Medicine Center : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative

CALIFORNIA
Aptos, California
- Cabrillo College Extension : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative
Carmichael, California
- El Papagayo : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative
Salinas, California
- Diabetes & Nutrition Support Services : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative
- Diabetes & Nutrition Support Services : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative

FLORIDA
Melrose, Florida
- Melrose Senior Community Center : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative

MASSACHUSETTS
Peabody , Massachusetts
- Nourish Health With Food For Life, LLC : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative

MICHIGAN
Traverse City, Michigan
- West Bay Event Center : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative

NEW MEXICO
Los Lunas, New Mexico
- Mission San Juan Diego : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative

NEW YORK
Bardonia, New York
- The Food Evolution : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative

NORTH CAROLINA
Carrboro, North Carolina
- Carrboro Century Center : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative

OKLAHOMA
Tulsa, Oklahoma
- LIFE Senior Services : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative

VERMONT
Brandon, Vermont
- Brandon Town Hall : Food for Life: Diabetes Initiative