MSU, hospital team up for diabetes workshop

Rebecca Patterson, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, will be one of the instructors in the Dining with Diabetes series. She is shown consulting with a Win with Wellness participant at a recent event.

LUDINGTON – Memorial Medical Center will host a Dining with Diabetes workshop by Michigan State University Extension over four dates in November and December. The four-meeting course is designed to help area residents avoid or manage diabetes through diet, exercise and knowledge.

The sessions will be held Nov. 27 and 28 and Dec. 11 and 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the classrooms on the hospital’s lower level, directly below the north admitting lobby.

Registration is available online or by phone. Call the MMC community education line, 231-845-2222, or go online to http://bit.ly/SIFBcK. There is a course fee of $35 for individuals and $50 for couples sharing materials, which covers all four sessions.

MSU Extension experts will be joined by hospital dietitian Rebecca Patterson to conduct the cooking and education sessions.

The course will educate participants on avoiding or managing diabetes and the importance of healthy meals and exercise to help with that goal. It is open to the entire community and is designed to be useful for those with diabetes or at risk for the disease, as well as their family members, friends and caregivers.

Participants will learn to prepare healthy meals using less fat, sodium and sugar without reducing flavor and enjoyment. Education will be offered on the causes of diabetes, tools for managing diabetes, and the importance of both exercise and diet. Samples of a variety of healthy foods will be offered, along with a variety of take-home recipes.

“Having MSU come to the hospital for this course is a great opportunity for our community,” said Patterson. “It’s an excellent complement to the community-wide Win with Wellness program and I strongly encourage people to take advantage of this course.”

For information on diabetes and other chronic diseases, health and nutrition, or other MSU Extension classes, contact Brenda Long by email atlongbr@msu.edu.