NorthShore Health Centers educates and reinforces community health through monthly Diabetic Diner events

A demonstration, dinner, and educational review on the basics of diabetes care is conducted every month by NorthShore Health Centers. The event – the Diabetic Diner – focuses on what days look like for people who have diabetes and how to prevent the risks that come with the disease.

Each program provides the community with a resource to review healthy diabetic care schedules. 

“Every class is different, with a general focus on having a conversation and healthy eating,” said Maria Briseno, care coordinator for NorthShore Health Centers in Hammond. “We prepare meals and show them what they can eat and how to handle diabetes. It helps to talk to participants about what they need to do and even how it affects things they might not think about, like a person’s eyes and nails.”

The main goal for these events is to increase awareness about diabetes. NorthShore Health Centers wants people not only to take the information from this event with them to help those suffering from diabetes but also to learn about how to best avoid it themselves.

“We have handouts that we give to everyone who comes to the Diabetic Diner events,” Briseno said. “It gives them a visual about what they can and cannot eat, along with tips for diabetic care. It covers wounds and sickness, especially during the flu season, which can affect people with diabetes a little differently.”

While diabetes can create daily physical complications, it can also impact a person mentally. It can be a tough pill to swallow when you see people enjoying fast food or popular menu items. However, Briseno recommends healthier activities for all individuals, such as eating hummus and trying out Zumba yoga sessions.

“It can create a mental load with people because they see their family and friends go to McDonald’s or eat a pizza, and they can’t do that,” Briseno said. “This can cause depression or culture shock. However, there are alternatives that they can choose. We sit down with them and go over the foods that are right for them. We cover the proteins and fruits that are healthy because fruits also have sugar.”

The mission of NorthShore Health Centers is centered around making sure each individual has access to the highest quality health care. Bringing the community together to learn about diabetes is one way that the organization is able to bring this goal to life.

“As we continue to get older, we only become more prone to diseases,” Briseno said. “Diabetes and blood pressure are some of the most common ones. Sometimes, they can come together; if you’re diabetic, blood pressure can sneak up. That’s why it’s really important for us to get the word out.”

The Diabetic Diner has something for people of all ages to take with them and use to their advantage in promoting a healthier future.

“We have recipes, some of which are aimed towards the holiday season,” Briseno said. “In November, we go over Thanksgiving recipes with turkey as the protein. We always encourage people to eat more salads. We also want people to be mindful and not overeat. You could tell yourself that it’s just one bite, but the one bite can go into another. That can often be the hardest part.”

Above all, NorthShore Health Centers appreciates the members of the community who are not afraid to find answers, especially for a disease that affects more than 830 million people, according to the World Health Organization. 

“Sometimes we learn from each other, which is what makes the Diabetic Diner so important,” Briseno said. “We try to educate, reinforce, and talk about smart goals. Even just by cutting down your intake of Pepsi or Diet Coke, that can make a difference.”

For more information on NorthShore Health Centers, you can visit northshorehealth.org.