Chair George Van Ankum welcomed 16 members and guests to last month’s Diabetes information meeting at Knox Presbyterian Church in Listowel.
Reports were given regarding changes in membership, an online Diabetes Dialogue, assistance programs, the local canvass totalling $39,434, the Diabetes Forum in Kitchener, six provincial length of service awards given in Stratford, and the outstanding organization award from the Minto Chamber of Commerce.
Guest speaker Vicki Keil, a registered nutritional consulting practitioner with an in-home practice in Listowel, explained how the body falls short of nutritional balance, causing inflammation/disease.
Grains, white food, dairy, and sweeteners all raise blood glucose levels. All daily nutritional needs can be found in meats, vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, oils, and supplements. Become a label reader, she urged, recommending development of a weekly food plan and preparation of meals in advance. Keil is an advocate for the Whole 30 program developed to reset the body and optimize quality of life.
Deficiencies and excesses in the body cause stress. Everyone needs to take responsibility for their own health. Taking a sensitivity and hormone test is a good place to get started, Keil recommends.
The door prize draw of a Light & Easy Choices and Desserts cookbook was won by Marilyn Nickel.
Van Ankum encouraged everyone to look over the literature display set out by Bonnie Wilson. He offered appreciation to Everdina Bender for preparing a light luncheon. The next meeting will be held in September in Mount Forest.
The meeting was sponsored by the North Perth – North Wellington Branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association in Harriston. The office is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 1:30 to 4:30pm. Volunteers can be reached at 519-338-3181 or npnw@diabetes.ca.
