Mission Statement

This is from our April 2010 Article

NEED HELP WITH DIABETES???

The Somerset County Health Department and the Atlantic Health Center are currently providing an extensive program offering a variety of diabetes services. We understand the importance of diabetes management which is why we have devised a team of healthcare professionals to help you on this journey. These professionals can provide education and encouragement to help you take better control of your health.

The following health care professionals are available to provide the services described.

Diabetes Educator: will teach you about the day to day care of your diabetes; can help you with monitoring your blood sugar, healthy ways to cope with diabetes, reduce your risks for diabetes related complications, teach you about your specific medications, refer you to self -management classes, and much more.

Registered Dietitian: an expert in food and nutrition, the dietitian will help you find a meal plan that works for you, can teach you about healthy food preparation, reading food labels choosing healthier foods, increasing your level of physical activity, and much more.

Clinician: will look after your overall health as well as diabetes management; help with your glucose testing, medications, answer any overall health questions and concerns, and much more.

Both the Somerset County Health Department and the Atlantic Health Center are holding FREE* diabetes clinics with the purpose of providing additional help to people who might be having some difficulty managing their diabetes. The following is the information on each clinic and a contact number.

Clinic Locations and Time

Somerset County Health Department

Where: 7920 Crisfield Highway, Westover, MD. 21871
When: Every other Monday
Time: 8:30-12 noon
Call: 443-523-1760 (for schedule and appointment)

Upcoming Dates: April 19 & 26; May 3 & 17; June 7 & 21

Atlantic Health Center

Where: Atlantic Health Center
When: Every other Thursday
Time: 8:30-12 noon
Call: 410-641-9703 (for schedule and appointment)

Upcoming Dates: April 1 & 15 & 29; May 13 & 27 ; June 10 & 24

 Each appointment consists of:

• FREE Glucometer and Strips for those who qualify

• Voucher for medications* (restrictions apply)

• A1C Finger-stick and Blood Glucose Test

• Blood Pressure Screening

• ADA Risk Assessment

• Dietitian- Nutrition Consultation

• Diabetes Educator Consultation

*Requirements: Somerset or Worcester Co. residents or employee; 18 years or older
You are not alone when it comes to taking care of your diabetes. We are here to be a part of your health care team to manage your diabetes and take care of your health.
Remember YOU are the most important person on your team!
CALL US!

Free Smoking Group Smoking Cessation Programs
Sponsored by the Worcester County Health Department

Berlin Health Center, 9730 Healthway Drive, Tuesdays, 5-6 pm, April 6th- June 22nd.

Pocomoke Health Center, 400 A- Walnut Street, Thursdays, 5-6 pm, April 8th-June 24th. .

For more information or to enroll please call the Prevention Services Unit of the Worcester County Health Department at 410-632-1100.

Diabetes and the Vegetarian Diet

Many people with diabetes ask the question if I change to a vegetarian diet can it cure my diabetes? The answer is no but it can be of some benefit, such as helping you to better control your weight, reducing your risk of some of the complications associated with diabetes and possibly making your body more responsive to insulin so it works better for you. As with most eating plans there is no one vegetarian eating plan.
Vegetarian diets that include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes are high in both fiber and phytochemicals (compounds which may reduce your risk of certain cancers and heart disease). Vegetarian diets can be lower in calories than our traditional diets. Weight loss on a vegetarian diet can improve Type 2 diabetes especially in people who are overweight or obese. Of course this is also true with weight loss with a non vegetarian diet. There has been some research showing that your body can become more responsive to insulin when following a vegetarian diet. A study published in 2006 in the Journal of Diabetes Care showed that 43% of people with diabetes who ate a low fat vegan diet (they eat NO animal meat and no foods that come from animals, including eggs and dairy products) reduced the amount of medication they needed.
As with all other eating plans, the vegetarian meal plan should be healthy, nutritionally sound and include all the essential nutrients. It has been often thought that a vegetarian diet cannot provide you with adequate protein. But protein from whole grains, legumes, vegetables, seeds and nuts all contain the essential components of protein and soy protein has been shown to be equivalent to animal proteins. Other nutrients to consider include iron, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, calcium, zinc and fat. Although vegetarian diets are low in cholesterol, high fat foods should be monitored, such as margarine, oils, nuts, nut butters, seeds, avocado and coconut.
A healthy meal plan for a vegetarian diet includes the following:
• Minimal intake of sweets and fatty foods
• Choose whole grains or fortified products
• Include a variety of fruits and vegetables
• Use fat free/nonfat or low fat dairy products
• Limit your intake of cholesterol to 300 mg./day
Like any other dietary plan, even a vegetarian plan can be unhealthy if it contains too m any calories and not enough of the important nutrients. If you would like to try a vegetarian plan, talk to a dietitian to help develop a plan to provide all the vital nutrients, the correct calories for a healthy weight and to meet your goals for blood sugar control and diabetes management.

Try these vegetarian recipes for a new flavor sensation!

Red Beans and Rice

A quick and easy classic Cajun dish!
INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup onion, cut into ½ inch pieces
• 1 cup green bell pepper, rinsed, cored, and diced
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 2-3 cloves)
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 can (14 ½ ounces) fat free, low sodium vegetable broth
•  ½ cup instant brown rice uncooked
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion stirring occasionally for 5 minutes until soft not brown. Add green pepper and cover- cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add garlic, cumin and oregano to peppers and onion. Cook and stir for 1 minute.
Add broth, rice, stir well and cover, simmer for 10 minutes.
Add beans, stir well, cover and cook for 5 m ore minutes to heat beans and blend flavors.
NUTRITION INFORMATION (serving size- 2 cups)
Calories: 344 Total Fat: 5 grams Calories from fat: 45 Saturated Fat: 1 gm.
Cholesterol: 2 mg. Sodium: 331 mg. Fiber: 9 grams Carbohydrates: 57 grams

Limas & Spinach

“not your mother’s lima beans but full of flavor and fiber!

• 2 cups frozen lima beans
• ½ cup onion, chopped
• 1 cup fennel bulb, cut into 4 inch strips
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• ¼ cup vegetable broth
• 1 bag (10 ounces) leaf spinach, rinsed well
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried chives

November 14th

Step Out For Diabetes November 7th Ocean City Boardwalk 10am