Diabetes group learns about healthy eating

10:51am Friday 28th September 2007

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Diabetes UK Bexley Support Group held its September meeting.

Judith Webb, head of nutrition and dietetics at Darent Valley Hospital, was the guest speaker at a full house of members.

Members listened with great interest as Judith explained in some detail how to eat healthily with diabetes.

The areas covered included eating regular meals (avoid skipping meals) and a balanced diet, five or more portions of fruit and vegetables each day, reducing sugar, fat and salt intake, including oily fish into the diet, care in alcohol consumption and lastly the need for regular physical exercise.

She also gave some valuable advice on some of the foods to choose when eating out.

Members received the talk with enthusiasm and many questions were asked.

Vice chairman David Simms Baker thanked Judith for her detailed and informative presentation.

It is estimated that there are 2.35 million people with diabetes in England and this number is predicted to grow to 2.5 million by 2010.

Of these generally six per cent are Type 1 insulin dependant. The others are Type 2.

In Bexley, with a population of about 220,000, 8,500 people are known to have diabetes and of these 800 have Type 1 and 7,700 have Type 2.

The Diabetes UK Bexley Support Group offers mutual support, information and advice to people affected by diabetes - those with the condition and those who care for them, through monthly newsletters, and meetings when speakers are invited to talk to the group and answer questions on all aspects of relative healthcare.

Meetings are held on the third Friday of each month (excluding August) at the United Reformed Church, Geddes Place, Bexleyheath, at 7.30pm. New members are very welcome.

Contact Sheila Burston on 020 8302 2446 for further information.

By Roger McLean