Boyertown>> A free informational diabetes program that includes cooking demonstrations will be offered to local residents starting Thursday.
The program is for adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes as well as family members and caregivers.
Participants will attend two-hour evening classes that include discussions about diabetes, exercise videos and lessons on nutrition management. Participants will have the opportunity to help prepare and taste healthy recipes.
The program will begin on Thursday with an information and registration session at 6 p.m. After that, the class will meet every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for five weeks. The Boyertown Community Library is hosting the program and the classes will be taught at the Boyertown Lions Community Ambulance Building located at 2 East 2nd Street.
The diabetes program is offered to community residents free of charge because of a Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation grant.
The weekly sessions are part of a Penn State University study and data is collected for research. The purpose of the study is to find out if providing information about nutrition and exercise will help diabetics better manage the disease
There will be a follow-up session on June 11 to find out how blood pressure and blood sugar levels has changed from the beginning of the program.
Participants will also be given a free cookbook of about 50 healthy recipes at the end of the program. The recipes will include the ones demonstrated during the weekly sessions and more.
For more information about the diabetes program or to register, call the Penn state Extension office at 610-489-4315. People can also register online at extension.psu.edu/health/diabetes/events.
The Mercury is engaged in a year-long effort, Fit for Life, designed to promote healthy living and inspired by recent health studies which indicate an alarming increase in obesity and overweight people. In addition to articles in the newspaper and on our website, Fit for Life features a blog with recipes, health tips, resources, tips on getting fit without breaking the bank, maps and other tools all available free online. Visit the website at www.pottsmerc.com/Fitforlife, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MercFit4Life and follow our efforts on Twitter @MercFit4Life.
Michilea Patterson is the Fit for Life reporter and is funded in part by the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation.
