Diabetes seminar scheduled this week

By Rhonda Simmons

Published: September 14, 2008

For years, health experts have repeatedly informed their patients about how important it is to maintain a healthy diet in order to help manage diabetes.

Linda Weller, a certified diabetes educator for Culpeper Family Practice, will host a free community seminar Thursday at 6 p.m. to remind the public about the importance of obtaining a healthy diet while giving them valuable meal ideas.

“Patients may be doing all of the right things, however, it doesn’t hurt to treat the diet further,” Weller said Wednesday afternoon. “We’re looking at the wellness aspect in terms of overall health. In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in diabetes, so making some lifestyle changes in diet and exercise will help in the prevention of diabetes.”

The seminar will be held at the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse in Locust Grove. It is free and open to the public.

Weller will talk about healthy food, nutrition tips, healthy food swaps, “the skinny on fat, the lowdown on low carbohydrates, and the upside of protein.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are 23.6 million Americans or 7.8 percent of the population that has diabetes.

Some healthful food choices include eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dried beans, fish, lean meats, skinless poultry, non-fat dairy, drinking water and calorie-free diet drinks instead of soda, and cutting back on high calorie snack foods and desserts, according to the ADA.

For more information about attending the seminar, call 829-4306.

Rhonda Simmons can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 125 or .

Want to go?
What: Healthy Choices 101: Nutrition and Diabetes seminar

Where: Lake of the Woods Clubhouse, Locust Grove

When: Thursday at 6 p.m.

Healthy light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.