ABOUT US RESEARCH PRODUCTS CAREERS HOME INVESTORS NEWSROOM LICENSING CONTACT US QUICK LINKS DESAFIANDO LA DIABETES About Us Our Values Corporate Responsibility Be well Health Tips & Resources Leadership How We Operate Views and Positions Our History Featured Stories Hispanics are almost twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with diabetes. In fact, diabetes is the fifth-leading cause of death within the Hispanic community. A1C is a test that shows what your average blood glucose (blood sugar) has been over the past two to three months. To shed light on a topic very close to her heart, Celebrity Chef Leticia Moreinos Schwartz is working with Merck on Desafiando LaDiabetes: Lagra Tus Metas (Diabetes Challenge: Get to Your Goals), a program urging Hispanics with type 2 diabetes to know their A1C—average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months—and to work with their doctors to develop a plan to set and attain their personal A1C goal. As part of the Desafiando La Diabetes program, Chef Moreinos Schwartz shares diabetes-friendly recipes that the whole family can enjoy. “After struggling with type 2 diabetes for many years, my grandfather passed away from a stroke, one of the serious complications of diabetes,” said Chef Leticia. “That’s why I’m passionate about empowering Hispanics to learn how to reach their blood sugar goals.” The American Diabetes Association recommends many people with diabetes should have an A1C of less than seven percent to help reduce the risk of complications, such as heart disease and stroke. (A higher or lower A1C goal may be appropriate for some people.) However, nearly half of people with diabetes are not at an A1C of less than seven percent. Visit DesafiandoLaDiabetes.com for more information about the Desafiando La Diabetes program, bilingual resources to help manage blood sugar, and diabetes-friendly recipes. Diabetes and Healthy Eating Diet is an important part of an individualized diabetes management plan to help people with type 2 diabetes reach their A1C goal. In general, diabetes-friendly recipes are lower in sodium, carbohydrates, saturated fat and trans fat. They are also higher in fiber compared with other dishes and include appropriate portion sizes. For diabetes-friendly recipes selected by Chef Leticia, and bilingual resources to help manage blood sugar, visit DesafiandoLaDiabetes.com. In August, Merck partnered with the American Diabetes Association San Antonio chapter to bring Desafiando La Diabetes to the annual Univision Latina Health Fair. At Merck’s booth, Chef Leticia demonstrated a “recipe” for healthier diabetes management. PRINT SHARE SIZE ABOUT CHEF LETICIA MOREINOS SCHWARTZ Leticia Moreinos Schwartz is a chef, teacher, food stylist, and cookbook author, specializing in Hispanic cuisine. Diabetes is a topic close to her heart, and she is working with Merck on Desafiando La Diabetes to help Hispanics with type 2 diabetes manage their condition and reach their A1C goals. Read more about Chef Moreinos Schwartz. Full bio Copyright © 2009-2014 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Terms of Use Site Map