DIABETES IN PETS

Having studied diabetes in humans I am conscious pets can also suffer and that it is really hard to manage.

So this book on kindle gives inspiration on the subject

PRE -DIABETES

Over the past few months I have been trying to write a book on pre-diabetes. It has been hard work and I have spent many hours on it.  As I write it is being edited and should go onto Amazon as a kindle down load  book shortly.

I wanted to keep it fairly simple and practical as there are other books around which cover the subject in a more technical manner. Hopefully mine will contain enough information to assist people and encourage them

to seek more information.

The book contains information on food and nutrition plus a brief mention of key factors to assist those with pre-diabetes which puts them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

Pre-diabetes is often reversible or can be managed in such a way as to extend the period before Type 2 diabetes develops.

As the 2 conditions can almost merge then information is provided also about type 2 diabetes and also other types of diabetes.

Hopefully the information provided will help people prevent with pre-diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes, or at least delay that process. 

“NO ILLNESS WHICH CAN BE TREATED BY DIET SHOULD BE TREATED BY ANY OTHER MEANS” MAIMONIDES 12^TH CENTURY PHYSICIAN

This quote was found a while ago, when I was doing my PhD. It remains pertinent today, especially with the management of pre-diabetes and the role of dietary advice.

While anyone can develop the condition of pre-diabetes there are some groups who are at greater risk;-

1.    Those over 45 years

2.    Certain ethnic groups Afro Caribbean and South Asian or family history of diabetes

3.    Women who have had gestational diabetes

4.    Women with poly-cystic ovary syndrome

5.    Those with large waist measurements

6.    Those who are obese

7.    Anyone who regularly sleeps only about 5 hours a night

8.    Sedentary lifestyle

My book aims to assist people with the last 4 risks and I hope it will be found to be helpful. 

BEETROOT CAKE

Today I was working at a company in  Cambridge on a health event for employees with promoting various aspects of health . This is always really positive for people and this is one of the displays and the contact details.





http://www.healthevents.co.uk/


I was working with healthy eating and had lots of questions --including on cooking and baking. I was encouraging people to eat their 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day. One gentleman said they had a cake club in his department and I told him about my chocolate beetroot cake and he asked for the recipe.

So here it is

Chocolate beetroot cake per portion NB provides extra vegetables

Makes 12 slices

Energy kcal 329 per slice

Ingredients

3oz (75g) cocoa or chocolate drink powder

6oz (180g ) plain flour –can use 5oz white and 1 oz wholemeal

8 oz (225g) sugar

2tsp baking powder

250g cooked and cooled beetroot

3 large eggs

200ml sunflower oil

1tsp vanilla extract

Icing sugar for dusting

Method

Pre-heat oven to 180 C/335F/gas4

Sift dry ingredients together in a bowl

Puree the beetroot

In a separate bowl mix the eggs one at a time with the oil and vanilla essence when smooth add the sugar. Add the puree beetroot

Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add the beetroot and oil and sugar mixture

Mix well

Pour into a greased and lined 9inch cake tin

Bake 30-40 mins or until firm and a skewer inserted in the cake leaves it cleanly

Cool on a rack

Chocolate beetroot cake per portion NB provides extra vegetables

Makes 12 slices

Energy kcal 329 per slice

Ingredients

3oz (75g) cocoa or chocolate drink powder

6oz (180g ) plain flour –can use 5oz white and 1 oz wholemeal

8 oz (225g) sugar

2tsp baking powder

250g cooked and cooled beetroot

3 large eggs

200ml sunflower oil

1tsp vanilla extract

Icing sugar for dusting

Method

Pre-heat oven to 180 C/335F/gas4

Sift dry ingredients together in a bowl

Puree the beetroot

In a separate bowl mix the eggs one at a time with the oil and vanilla essence when smooth add the sugar. Add the puree beetroot

Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add the beetroot and oil and sugar mixture

Mix well

Pour into a greased and lined 9inch cake tin

Bake 30-40 mins or until firm and a skewer inserted in the cake leaves it cleanly

Cool on a rack

Dust with icing sugar

The cake can be split and filled with cream if desired or iced

Dust with icing sugar

The cake can be split and filled with cream if desired or iced

FOOD ALLERGIES

Food allergies and intolerances are really serious issues for sufferers. For those providing food whether a small caterer or food manufacturer it is something to be aware of.

There is new legislation on this which comes into force at the end of the year. So it is something to be aware of and be prepared for.

The local food group  

held a meeting on the topic at Northampton university with good information on the topic.

There is also a forthcoming conference in  London on it organised by the RSPH and information is shown;-

Iin light of the new EU Regulation on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers (1169/2011 EC), this conference will provide a unique, accessible perspective on how to protect people with allergies and intolerances while ensuring compliance with existing and new food law.

 

Food allergies, intolerances and coeliac disease affect the menu choices of millions of consumers in the UK. The number of people being treated in hospital for allergic reactions to foods is on the increase. However surveys of UK restaurants and takeaways show that workers don’t always have access to detailed information about the ingredients of the food they handle.

The new EU Regulation on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers requires that those in the food industry or working in catering provide correct food information.

 

This programme will provide delegates with a detailed understanding of the allergy and intolerance aspects of the new regulation including practical guidance on what is required.

 

Chaired by Hazel Gowland, Allergy Action and Professor Lisa Ackerley, Managing Director, Hygiene Audit Systems, the conference will include presentations and interactive workshops by leading experts and experienced allergy trainers.

https://www.rsph.org.uk/en/courses-conferences-and-events/events/index.cfm/allergies-on-a-plate

LOW CALORIE TREATS

There has been a great deal of talk in the media about obesity plus concerns about children's diets.

This is a lovely picture of a teatime treat that I suggested for a tea party where the hostess was on a diet and successfully loosing weight.

As you will see her young guest is enchanted by it --and indeed the "strawberry sparkler" was the star!

Really just chocolate tipped strawberries on pops sticks and also decorated with an indoor sparkler.

I love coming up with ideas that are delicious and low calorie and tempting!

·         

OBESITY AWARENESS WEEK

Most people know if they are overweight or obese. But as we do this by comparing with other people and as a population we are getting larger so sometimes even if we are overweight we do not realise we are.

About 6 out of 10 men and women are overweight or obese so comparing yourself with others becomes increasingly difficult.

Obesity links with lots of health problems like Type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes (about which I am writing a book for kindle), high blood pressure, heart problems, varicose veins,  mobility difficulties, breathlessness, back problems as well as social and emotional difficulties.

To lose just 10% of the weight helps to improve health.

For more information on the week go to;-

http://www.noaw2014.org.uk/