Media Release
UAE, Oct 23: The diabetes education camp conducted by Riva International Spa recieved a good response.
Diabetics, non diabetics and family members with diabetics attended the program. The introduction and welcome speech was given by Dr Rashmi.
The itinerary of the day was random blood sugar check for all attendees, followed by “an overview of diabetes” by Dr Nandkishore specialist physician NMC hospital.
This was followed by a lecture on “how belly fat affects our health" by Dr Rashmi and concluded with the most important aspect of diabetes care-diabetic diet by Archana dietician at Riva International Spa.
Dr Nandkishore explained the importance of diabetes screening at an early age keeping in consideration the increase in the number of young diabetic patients he sees in his practice. He stressed on the need of checking the blood sugar once a year after the age of 30.
The various aspects of the disease, its complications and the most effective way to control this pandemic were explained very lucidly. The audiences were given the facts of the prevalence of diabetes especially in the burgeoning Asian population and its impact on the expat Indian population in Dubai.
Archana spoke about different aspects of nutrition in diabetes. She demonstrated the food pyramid and the healthy yet tasty choices in diabetic diet.
Different diabetic foods were displayed. She demonstrated the portion sizes and calorie content of each meal in the most simplistic way.
She surprised the audience by visually displaying food articles which were to be avoided in diabetes and to incorporate low calorie oats in Indian breakfast showing the recipes for oat dosa , oat upma . This created a keen interest among the ladies who disliked oat porridge.
The lack of diabetic diet advice leads to many misconceived notions of daily diet in diabetic patients which may in turn lead to uncontrolled diabetes.
She emphasized the need for individual diet therapy based on the clients BMI, sex, medical condition and physical activity. Her strategy of diet counseling as recommended most popularly is based on dietary recall.
This form of counseling incorporates the regular food the client likes and how best it can be tailored to control their individual blood sugar.
As a large number of population have busy schedules and are not able to comply with frequent small meals she suggested healthy alternatives which can be consumed during working hours.
The importance of regular therapeutic massage to improve the physical condition of the diabetic patients was clearly explained and the program was ended by giving few minutes of head massage, foot massage and hand reflexology to the selected audience .
With those few minutes of massage they would feel reduction in their joint stiffness and pain.
The diabetic session concluded with great appreciation from the audience ,thanked Dr Nandkishore for spending his valuable time in educating about diabetes, Dr Rashmi for organizing and Archana for educating them and giving valuable information about diabetic diet .
The audience requested Dr Rashmi to conduct such educational camp more frequently.