Free cooking classes aim to prevent Type 2 diabetes
Groceries also to be distributed to participants
In March, four free cooking classes providing free groceries will be presented to help prevent diabetes in Delaware County.
On four consecutive Wednesdays, the Delaware County Health Department in conjunction with Keystone First and the Share Food Program will present Cooking for Wellness classes at the Keystone First Wellness and Opportunity Center at 1929 W. Ninth St. in Chester.
The first three on March 6, 13, and 20 will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The final session on March 27 will be held from 5 to 7 p.m.
“Regularly making mindful food choices is a crucial part of preventing type 2 diabetes,” Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon said. “Healthy eating and food preparation education is a major step forward in the pursuit of better well-being for everyone.”
These classes, in fact, are aimed at reducing the risk for preventable diabetes and other health complications, these classes will focus on healthy eating and cooking education.
Besides learning healthy cooking tips and how to create healthy meals, participants can get screened for diabetes. They will also receive free groceries to take home, courtesy of Share Food Program donations.
Share Food is a Philadelphiabased organization that serves Delaware County and has a warehouse in Ridley. In July 2021, Delaware County Council signed a contract with Share Food to be the lead agency to distribute food in the county through the State Food Purchase
Program.
By March 2023, it was serving 18,000 individuals through the 17-pantry network in Delaware County.
Regarding the Cooking for Wellness classes, each interactive session will be led by a registered dietitian nutritionist and health professionals.
The sessions are free but require pre-registration. Residents can register by contacting the Delaware County Wellness Line at 484276-2100 or at DelcoWellness@ co.delaware.pa.us.
County residents who are pre-diabetic are especially encouraged to attend so they can learn how to lower their blood sugar and prevent diabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 79 million Americans are pre-diabetic, a condition in which their blood glucose is higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. It can be officially determined through a blood test.
The county health department added that symptoms of pre-diabetes include being overweight or obese, being 45 years old or older, having immediate relatives with type 2 diabetes and being physically active less than three times a week.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not use or produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes typically develops over time. Eating healthy and being physically active can help to prevent it.
In fact, the American Diabetes Association says that losing even 10 to 15 pounds can help change the course of a pre-diabetic person’s health. That along with 30 minutes of exercise each day and healthy food can really make a difference, they said.