New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service will present a series of online cooking classes designed to teach adults with diabetes how to cook healthy meals.
The Kitchen Creations series consists of four weekly classes, during which participants will learn food safety, how to plan meals, how to read food labels and how to manage carbohydrates.
The first class in the series will kick off at 3 p.m. Feb. 4. Beatriz Favela, a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent at the Doña Ana County Extension Office, and Janae Kraus, a registered dietitian nutritionist, will teach the classes through Zoom. Participants will be able to access the classes with an electronic device or by phone.
“Many people with diabetes struggle with what to eat,” said Cassandra Vanderpool, registered dietitian nutritionist at NMSU. “Kitchen Creations opens their eyes to a wide variety of options to enjoy healthy eating. We are pleased to offer these classes online during the pandemic so participants can learn how to successfully manage diabetes at home.”
An estimated 10.4 percent of adults in New Mexico have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research has shown that lifestyle changes, including healthier eating, can help manage diabetes and reduce the risk of complications, Vanderpool said.
Kitchen Creations is free and open to all New Mexico residents, but registration is required. To enroll in the upcoming online class series, contact Favela at 575-202-2376.
For a complete schedule of classes in other New Mexico counties, visit https://bit.ly/3a97CJJ.
NMSU, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture, is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. If you are an individual with a disability who needs an auxiliary aid or service to participate, contact Favela by Jan. 30.
Kitchen Creations is sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Health’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and offered by the Cooperative Extension Service as part of the “Paths to Health NM: Tools for Healthier Living” initiative. To learn more, visit www.pathstohealthnm.org.