In a bid to sensitise the public on healthy eating practices essential for diabetes prevention, some medical doctors have organised the first ever doctors’ cooking competition to create awareness about the World Diabetes Day.
The competition which was held in Abuja on Thursday was organised by the Snugg-Nest Foundation under the theme “Diabetes and Well-Being”.
The event was aimed at educating the community on healthy eating practices essential for diabetes prevention. It was also aimed at empowering patients and their families with knowledge about nutritious meal preparation.
A representative of the Snugg-Nest Caregivers Foundation, Dr. Alex Nnadozie opened the event by emphasising the importance of healthy cooking.
“We are here today to commemorate the first-ever doctors’ cooking competition. People may wonder what doctors have to do with a cooking competition, our goal is to teach something valuable”, he said.
Nnadozie highlighted the common challenges faced by individuals diagnosed with diabetes, noting, “When someone is diagnosed with a metabolic disease like diabetes, life can feel restrictive. Patients often hear they must avoid certain foods, which can lead to meal boredom.”
Participants, consisting of doctors from various specialties, were tasked with creating appealing and healthy meals suitable for diabetic diets.
They were judged on creativity, presentation, and nutritional adherence. “We want to show that diabetic-friendly food can be delicious, visually appealing, and who nutritious,” Nnadozie remarked.
The judges included an endocrinologist, a qualified nutritionist, and a chef, each bringing expertise to evaluate the meals.
Family members of individuals with diabetes were also invited to observe and learn, reinforcing the event’s educational focus.
The administrator of the Snugg-Nest Foundation, Chidera Stephanie addressed the importance of diabetes awareness, particularly among older adults.
“We know that diabetes is more prevalent among older adults. Our goal is to raise awareness about diabetes and healthy eating for seniors,” she said.
The competition also addressed the interconnected issues of diabetes and high blood pressure, common among many patients.
Nnadozie explained, “High blood pressure is very common, especially among those with diabetes. We encourage diabetics to consume more fruits and vegetables and to be mindful of their protein and carbohydrate intake”.
