Diabetics are unable to make or respond to insulin, however, and the unchecked use of salt and sweeteners, plus high-fat foods and irregular eating patterns causes glucose level swings. For the diabetic, complications from these malfunctions include kidney failure, blindness, vascular deterioration that can lead to amputation and heart disease. The cookbook is peppered with healthy treats like Orange Sweet Potatoes, which are spiced with a dash of nutmeg and include evaporated skim milk, reduced-fat margarine and a splash of brandy, instead of loads of butter and brown sugar. Corn bread, baked cheese grits and smothered cabbage are also on the menu, but the corn bread calls for skim milk, the grits use reduced-fat cheddar cheese and the cabbage is saut ed in canola oil. That oil, by the way is lower in saturated fat than any other oil.
Moderation is key.
With that in mind, Weaver and Gaines created the Soul Food Pyramid to show the important role serving sizes play in healthier eating. As a result, the fats, oils and sweets portion at the tip of the pyramid also includes chitterlings, ham hocks, and sausage, bacon, fatback and hog jowls so that we know to eat these foods sparingly. Making gradual changes, such as cutting back on the liberal use of salt and sweeteners, limiting fried foods, practicing portion control, eating at regular intervals and reducing fat intake are major factors in delaying the onset of diabetes, says Weaver and Gaines, both registered dietitians. Change is not easy, but don't take a century to start impacting your future positively. With no cure for diabetes in sight, in order to stay healthy in Y2K and beyond, a good plan of prevention is through preparation food preparation and eating sensible portion sizes .