November is American Diabetes Month and today we celebrate World Diabetes Day! As a health professional that works mostly with individuals that have diabetes, I believe that today is not only a day to build awareness about this chronic condition, but also celebrate the progress that has been made to help individuals thrive and better manage their blood sugars. There are millions of individuals that are living well with diabetes and every day we are making more and more medical advancements.
Here in California, about 2.5 million adults have diabetes, which is approximately 1 in 12 individuals. If current trends continue, it is estimated that 1 in 3 California adults will have diabetes by 2050. Wow. These are tough statistics to hear. For these reasons, I think it’s so important to talk about diabetes, and ways we can both treat and control it.  Of those that have diabetes, about 95% are type 2 diabetes, which can be prevented by healthy eating, maintaining a normal body weight, and participating in regular physical activity.
In an effort to continue to spread the word on how to eat healthier with diabetes, I’m so excited to partner with Chef and Registered Dietitian, Katie Cavuto, to host a giveaway of our two diabetes cookbooks. Katie is the author of Whole Cooking and Nutrition: An Everyday Superfoods Approach to Planning, Cooking, and Eating with Diabetes.
I love that both of our books promote a similar message…use real, whole foods to improve your health and manage your blood sugar levels. No need to feel like you have to eat bland and boring food in order to achieve the results you are looking for.
Here’s a little more info about Katie’s fabulous book:
Enough of the dieting and deprivation! It’s time to embrace the joy of eating well with an intention that healthy foods are nourishing, sustaining and delicious. Whole Cooking and Nutrition shifts the conversation away from dieting to one of positive messages and gratifying intentions. The result is a book packed with information to help readers improve their relationship with food, turning a spotlight on 85 every day foods that maximize flavor and boast rich nutrient density that will inspire you to live a healthy lifestyle! With more than 150 vibrant, flavorful recipes, this cookbook promotes a mindful, pleasurable approach to eating.
For decades people with diabetes and other ailments have been taught to adhere to strict, uninspired diets eschewing taste in favor of health; this book promotes a healthy lifestyle and, more importantly, restores the joy of eating. With a focus on whole foods—Katie aims to empower readers to get into the kitchen to create her approachable and delicious recipes that are nourishing whether you have diabetes or not!
I’m so excited to offer two winners a copy of each of our books. Simply leave a comment below telling me your favorite comfort food, and you will be entered to win one of her books as well as my book, Eat What You Love Diabetes Cookbook.
Mac n cheese (with real cheese, not velveeta!)
Mac and cheese is the ULTIMATE comfort food, I agree!
Mashed potatoes 🙂
One of my favorites, too! Lately I’ve been making sweet potato mash…and it’s a game changer. 🙂
Mac and cheese… or any potato dish
Yes! My book has a healthier mac and cheese…even snuck a few veggies in there. 🙂
Definitely some kind of chocolate or cookies.
Chocolate is always at the top of this list for me, too!
I have two! Definitely pasta with homemade vodka sauce and anything chocolate.
Oh yum! Well, my last name is ‘Zanini’ so it’s pretty much required that I’m a pasta fan, ha!! 🙂
Winners Announced! Congratulations to Kaitlin and Lindsay, you are the winners. I will be contacting you later today to get your cookbooks out to you in time for Thanksgiving. Thanks to everyone for entering the contest!