To help those who have been diagnosed, Ohio State University Extension offers "Dining with Diabetes," a three-part class co-taught by Family and Consumer Sciences educators and local dietitians or certified diabetes educators.

Between July 2008 and June 2010, 5,125 Ohioans participated in Dining with Diabetes classes, and evaluations indicate that the program can have a profound effect. In fact, 93 percent of participants reported that they learned how to manage their diabetes and 75 percent reported eating smaller portion sizes and knowing how to count carbohydrates as a result of attending the classes. In addition, 90 percent picked up new food safety skills while attending Dining with Diabetes.

Dining with Diabetes proves effective

"Dining with Diabetes is so effective because we teach participants to cook healthy foods and then we eat together, which creates a bonding between the participants," said Shari Gallup, Family and Consumer Sciences educator, OSU Extension, an outreach arm of the College of Education and Human Ecology.

"In addition, we care about helping diabetic participants learn enough in three classes that they are anxious to go home and try the recipes and make changes in their own lives. The focus is on behavior change, through a medium we all understand – cooking."

Gallup helps coordinate the Dining with Diabetes (DWD) program in Ohio with colleague Monadine Mattey and a group of other educators throughout Ohio.

Sometimes, Mattey said, participants begin the class grudgingly, not thinking it can make a difference. "But just two weeks ago, one of those gentlemen said at the end of our program, 'I didn't think you would teach me anything new, I didn't think the food would taste good, and I didn't think you would fill me up on the portions you were serving. But I was wrong, and you can tell anyone I said so.' "

Awakening diabetic Ohioans to better care

Dining with Diabetes is one of six "Signature Programs" offered by OSU Extension. Each DWD class is co-taught by an OSU Extension educator and a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator. For a nominal fee, participants learn the basics about living and eating healthfully with diabetes over three sessions; each includes recipes and cooking demonstrations.

"We experience a lot of 'awakenings' in Dining with Diabetes classes," Gallup said. "Some participants have just been diagnosed, some were diagnosed 20 years ago, and some participate to support a family member who has been diagnosed. Everyone is at a different stage of learning, but everyone seems to get something out of the class."

One participant who attended her DWD classes several years ago recently attended a local reunion of participants that Gallup hosted. "He had gone from a size 52 to a size 38 – he was beaming when he told me," Gallup said.

Dining with Diabetes is offered periodically throughout the state by Extension educators who are based in more than half of Ohio's 88 counties. To see where educators who offer DWD are located and get contact information about future programs, go to OSU Extension's Family and Consumer Sciences website.

Writer: Martha Filipic, Communications Technology, OSU Extension