S L Raheja Hospital, a Fortis Associate, organised a diet exhibition on the occasion of World Diabetes day, where doctors teamed up with dietitians to teach people on the right methods to cook their food and control diabetes better. The exhibition has been aimed at promoting better health and quality of life in the society by clearing common diet myths related to diabetes.
At the food exhibition, more than 150 dishes/items were at displayed including different kinds of salads and snacks, tailor-made to the requirement of a diabetic patient.
Soly James, chief dietitian from S L Raheja Hospital said, “Diet plays a significant role in controlling diabetes. The food exhibition has been aimed at educating people upon having the right food in the right quantity at the right time. In this way, one can avoid the unhealthy part of his/her diet. The exhibition shows that through right changes in ingredients, we can prepare the same snacks that we have at home, but without the unwanted calories.”
The section was made more lively and interactive with the expert talking directly to the audience and educating them on the topics like common errors in management of diabetes, diet-myths and facts, cardiovascular complications for diabetics, diabetes and eyes, etc. The hospital also conducted free blood sugar detection test at the exhibition.
Dr B S Raheja, pioneer in research of nutrition in diabetes and the main force behind S L Raheja Hospital informed, “Following traditional Indian diet and using traditional cooking medium such as Ghee and Coconut in limited quantity as well as avoiding dietary fats which have high N-6/N-3 ratio will help prevent the epidemic of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.”
Dr Anil Bhoraskar, consultant diabetologist and scientific secretary, diabetes association of India, said, “Diabetes needs to be taken seriously, must be detected at an early stage and treated aggressively, as a priority amongst all non–communicable diseases. In order to prevent diabetes in young, one should stay away from fast , processed and preserved food and spend optimum time of recreational activities in outdoor games and take adequate anti-oxidants and Vitamin D in diet.”
Dr Haresh Mehta, consultant interventional cardiologist, said, “People who have diabetes are at higher risk for heart disease. The goals for a diabetic diet are basically to achieve near normal blood glucose levels and protect the heart and cholesterol levels. It is most important for the diabetic to learn about nutrition by following a good diet, hence we have taken this initiative.”