New tools for Hispanic diabetics

ATLANTA, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health aim to help U.S. Hispanic diabetics enjoy traditional food, officials say.

A guide, Mas que comida, es vida -- "It′s more than food, it′s life" -- provides new tools to Hispanics to prepare traditional foods in a more healthy way.

"A few simple adjustments can make these dishes healthier and lower in fat and calories," Betsy Rodriguez of the National Diabetes Education Program′s Hispanic/Latino Work Group says in a statement.

It is written in English and Spanish and includes a recipe booklet, "Tasty Recipes for People with Diabetes and Their Families," that offers food ideas specifically designed for the Hispanic palate. Among the recipes included are: Spanish omelet, beef or turkey stew, Caribbean red snapper, two cheese pizza and avocado tacos.

Compared to whites, Hispanics are disproportionately affected by diabetes -- more than 10 percent of Hispanics age 20 and older have diagnosed diabetes. Among Hispanics, rates of diabetes are 8.2 percent for Cubans, 11.9 percent for Mexican-Americans and 12.6 percent for Puerto Ricans.

"Meal preparation is a critical component of diabetes control," Rodriquez said. "Studies show that overweight or obese individuals can prevent or delay diabetes by losing just 5 percent to 7 percent of their total weight."

The recipe booklet is available at www.ndep.nih.gov or by calling 1-888-693-NDEP.