Diabetic Cooking Classes in Eddy County

Diabetic Cooking Classes in Eddy County An estimated 173,000 adults in New Mexico have diabetes. New Mexicans with diabetes can learn healthy ways to cook meals and snacks during free, hands-on classes in Eddy County that begin Oct. 27 in Artesia. "People with diabetes don't have to give up all their favorite traditional foods," said Jennah McKinley, Eddy County Home Economist with New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service. "They have the option to still cook their favorite meals by preparing them in healthier ways”. The four-part course, "Kitchen Creations: A Cooking School for People with Diabetes and Their Families," allows participants to learn through experience by cooking several dishes during each three-hour class. During the first hour of each class, participants learn about controlling diabetes through healthy diet and exercise. Participants learn to plan meals, eat appropriate amounts of carbohydrates, increase vegetable consumption, replace butter or lard with vegetable oil when cooking and add flavor to food with spices rather than sweeteners or fat. During the following two hours, participants break off into small groups to prepare meals and snacks, such as healthy salads, mixed vegetable dishes and desserts. Extension provides free course materials for participants, including cooking utensils, ingredients and recipe books. Anybody with Type 2 diabetes can participate, as well as relatives or caregivers who prepare meals. Classes are twice a week from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5 at the Eddy County Fairgrounds in Artesia. New Mexico State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educator. If you are an individual with a disability and need an auxiliary aid or service, please contact us Monday through Friday at 575-887-6595. Jennah McKinley, M.Ed. Extension Home Economist Eddy County Extension 1304 W. Stevens Carlsbad, NM 88220 575-887-6595 jennahm@ad.nmsu.edu