Diabetes Recipes:
Roasted Chick Peas
Lentil and Spinach Soup
It was quite overwhelming to be 1 of the 12,000 people in attendance at the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) World Diabetes Congress in Montreal, Canada in October. For 5 days, the Palais de Congress bustled like some colorful global bazaar with streams of people from over 150 nations, speaking different languages, some dressed in their native garb, and all communicating in the common bond of diabetes.
The IDF chose Canada for several reasons, one of which is that Canada is home to breakthroughs in the field of diabetes. We are all familiar with Banting and Best. I might not be here to write this article, and some of us might not be here to read it if it weren’t for Sir Frederick Banting, Charles Best, and their group of scientists discovering the use of insulin as treatment for diabetes mellitus. They gave us the gift of life in 1922 in Toronto. The world has changed significantly since then, and although their discovery remains a lifeline, the diabetes population has grown exponentially beyond belief. Most recent numbers published in the 4th edition IDF Atlas in Montreal reveal that 285 million people worldwide live with diabetes, and indications show that the number of people in low and middle-income countries is increasing rapidly and that far more people of working age are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes than had been estimated.
Projections over the next several years are even more dismal. Diabetes is on the rise at an alarming rate in Canada and the US. The IDF has declared its global theme and profound message for the next 5 years as “Education and Prevention” in hopes of educating health professionals and clinicians in successful ways to better teach patients about risk factors, symptoms, and treatment to self-manage diabetes.
What is IDF?
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organization comprising over 200 member associations in more than 160 countries, representing approximately 250 million people with diabetes, their families, and healthcare providers. The mission of the IDF is to promote diabetes care, prevention, and a cure worldwide. Its main activities include education for people with diabetes and healthcare professionals, public awareness campaigns, and the promotion and exchange of information. IDF is a non-governmental organization in official relations with the WHO and associated with the United Nations’ Department of Public Information. Visit www.idf.org
The organization has been in existence since 1952, when it held its inaugural conference in the Netherlands. A couple of hundred people attended that meeting. Over the years, the IDF has grown to become a substantial presence, with 12,000 members in Montreal, and a recognized point of global influence. One of its crowning achievements has been the adaptation of UN resolution 61/225, which recognizes diabetes as the first non-communicable worldwide epidemic and encourages member nations to enact polices to strengthen their healthcare systems to prevent, educate, and treat diabetes.
World Diabetes Day
IDF has made “Diabetes Education and Prevention” the theme of its World Diabetes Day campaign for the next five years, 2009-2013, to address the global gaps in education. World Diabetes Day is a campaign led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The day is marked each year on November 14 and is officially recognized as a UN Day. IDF hopes that the awareness raised by the campaign will encourage healthcare systems everywhere to recognize the need to provide structured diabetes education and help establish access to skilled diabetes care as the right of every person with diabetes.
In the Labyrinth
There were symposiums, postcards, scientific sessions, open forums, workshops, speakers’ corners, discussion groups, lectures, and the Global Village, where health professionals from over 150 countries offered information and were willing and eager to speak about diabetes in their home lands. Eighty-five exhibitors and numerous IDF volunteers were present to ensure that the event in Montreal ran smoothly. As one person walking through the labyrinth of it all, I observed talks on the positive effects of activity and exercise on diabetes, as well as complementary treatments such as meditation and breathing. I also listened to officials and speakers at press conferences discuss the research, studies, and education programs within the global diabetes community. I spoke with patients and health professionals from Argentina to Zimbabwe. I became immersed in the blue light of the “Diabetes Café,” where people living with diabetes shared their stories and even sang their songs. I felt a sudden, enormous realization of the vastness and the impact of diabetes.
I went home to my small spot on the planet with the thought of how fortunate I am to have had and continue to have the best information, education, and care for diabetes. How fortunate I am to know so many friends in the diabetes community, where we support one another and help each other when we can. If we can’t, we always find someone willing to assist. It made me think of the children throughout the world who don’t have the “gift of life” that I take for granted. Insulin and diabetes supplies have simply not reached these countries. I support the IDF’s Life for a Child campaign and hope you will too. Take a look at all the information on World Diabetes Day. Perhaps you will feel motivated to wear the blue circle pin, place a blue candle in your window, or even petition your local government to shine a blue light on a town landmark, all to raise awareness of the need to unite and create a better life of self-management for the global diabetes community.
By the way, I learned a couple of exciting recipes at the conference and was particularly impressed with the information on “pulses”.
Can You Eat a Pulse?
Pulses are the edible seeds of plants with pods. They contain zero fat, are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, have a low glycemic index (GI), and consist of complex carbohydrates. Pulses are an excellent source of folate, are gluten-free, and are a mainstay of the vegetarian diet. Dry peas, dry beans, lentils, and chickpeas comprise the pulse family.
How Many Pulses Should You Eat?
You can eat pulses every day, but if you’re not accustomed to them as part of your regular diet, start slowly, working your way up to ¾ cup per day, about the size of a tennis ball. When buying pulses, look for bright color, uniform size, and smooth skin. Dry pulses can be stored in tightly covered containers in a cool, dark spot for years, but it is best to use them within a year. Canned pulses are fine and also very convenient. Be sure to rinse well and drain before using.
To Soak or Not to Soak?
Dry beans, chickpeas, and whole peas need soaking because their skins do not absorb water easily. Lentils and split peas do not require soaking. There are several soaking methods to choose from, all using the proportions of 3 cups of water to 1 cup of pulse:
- Overnight soak – which means soaking covered in the fridge overnight.
- Quick soak – works by bringing water and pulse to a rapid boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and rest for 1-2 hours.
- Microwave soak is done by placing the pulse and water into an appropriate container. Microwave on high for 10-15 minutes. Let it stand for 1 hour.
Pulse Cooking Hints
Pulses like to take their time and prefer long, slow cooking in a large, deep saucepan, leaving them plenty of room to move around and develop their best flavor. They have a tendency to foam u,p and you can remedy that by adding a scant teaspoon of oil to the pot. Adding a couple of cloves of fresh garlic and/or herbs makes for a nice aromatic flavor.