document: Beginning this summer , Torres and other health professionals will be offering nutrition and exercise classes geared toward Hispanics in an effort to educate them on the dangers of diabetes. ; According to state Health Department statistics , the incidence of diabetes in the Hispanic population is three times that of the general population . Health experts believe the Hispanic diet and genetic predisposition may be contributing factors. ; `` Our food is one of the richest in terms of taste and nutrition , '' said Torres . `` But it 's the way we prepare the food that messes things up for us . '' ; In her classes , Torres said she will instruct her students to prepare tamales , refried beans and other traditional Hispanic dishes using polyunsaturated oil rather than the more traditional recipes that call for the use of lard . And instead of eating four tortillas at one sitting , she recommends they be eaten throughout the day. ; Although courses for Hispanic diabetics and their families have been offered by the Diabetic Society for almost three years , lessons on the benefits of good nutrition and exercise to combat the disease will be offered for the first time. ; Sue Ann Kelly , education director for the Diabetes Society , said the classes may be the first ones ever geared specifically toward the Hispanic lifestyle. ; `` It 's a powerful feeling our educators get when they discover all the cultural issues that come in to play when dealing with diabetes , '' she said. ; IF YOU 'RE INTERESTED ; The next course for Hispanic diabetics and their families will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Alexian Brother 's Hospital , 225 N. Jackson Ave. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Classes are free . For more information , call -LRB-408-RRB- 287-3785 . For those who ca n't make it to class , the Diabetes Society of Santa Clara County offers the bilingual booklet , `` Comer Bien Para Vivir Mejor , '' a seven-day Mexican food menu for diabetics as well as those who want to eat healthy .
extractive_keyphrases: hispanic diabetics diabetes society hispanic lifestyle hispanic diet health professionals good nutrition education director