Aug 3, 2024 | Care givers, Diabetes, Food Programs, In the spotlight

                                                                            

ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE AND BHHS LEGACY FOUNDATION BOOST DIANA GREGORY OUTREACH SERVICES WITH NEW VAN 

New Van

New Refrigerated Van Delivers More Produce to More Seniors in Greater Phoenix Area 

  (PHOENIX, Date) – Through a joint sponsorship of Arizona Public Service (APS) and BHHS Legacy Foundation, Diana Gregory Outreach Services (DGOS), a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to enrich lives through healthy eating,” received a new refrigerated van. The van allows DGOS to build capacity by adding additional independent senior living locations to its service area.

“Our foundation is happy to donate the refrigerated van to Diana Gregory Outreach Services,” said Jerry Wissink, CEO, BHHS Legacy Foundation. “Their mission to promote healthy eating practices ties in well with our goal of supporting nonprofit organizations committed to providing care and services to underserved members of our community.”

“We are honored to stand beside Diana Gregory Outreach Services in their unwavering commitment to nourish our seniors and veterans with wholesome meals,” expressed Ted Geisler, President of APS. “Their tireless efforts have touched countless lives within our community. We are proud to help further their impact with a new refrigerated van, enabling them to extend their reach and touch the hearts of even more individuals in need.”

Now in its 15 th year, DGOS has steadily expanded its service network to provide healthy eating options to more seniors and veterans. Over the last year, DGOS has delivered 400,000 pounds of fresh produce to more than 20,000 low-income and underserved seniors and veterans.

“We’re extremely grateful for the incredible generosity demonstrated by Arizona Public Service and the BHHS Legacy Foundation,” said Diana Gregory, CEO of DGOS. “The extra refrigerated van allows us to expand our capacity in several important ways. In addition to providing the much-needed fresh fruits and vegetables, our volunteers are excited to make those important relational connections with our seniors and veterans, making them feel less isolated and more cared for as fellow neighbors and friends in the Greater Phoenix community.”

Throughout the United States, food waste is a major problem. According to government statistics, nearly $200 billion worth of food goes to waste each year, making it more frustrating since more than 40 million people today struggle with hunger and experience food insecurity. DGOS works to counter this: “We have a responsibility to ensure no senior and their families in our community go to bed hungry.”

Diabetic-Friendly Foods

Diabetic-Friendly Foods

Nov 2, 2021 | Diabetes, healthy eating, Independent Living

Diabetic-Friendly Foods

Image by ratmaner via Shutterstock
Deciding what to eat when struggling with diabetes can be tricky. It’s important to incorporate key nutrients in your diet while also maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. You’ll want to center your diet mainly around fruits, vegetables, starches, and lean protein. Fresh fruits that are low on the glycemic index, such as blueberries, can be a great sweet treat for diabetics while also providing fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Fresh veggies, such as leafy greens, are also rich in fiber and can be consumed raw or cooked. A lot of people assume all carbohydrates and starches are bad for diabetics, which isn’t necessarily true. Our bodies need carbohydrates to function, just make sure you’re eating whole grains such as rice, oatmeal, and quinoa. When it comes to protein, it’s important to purchase pasture-raised meat and wild-caught fish to get the best quality nutrients. I’ve created a list below which discusses the top diabetic-friendly foods you’ll want to pick up on your next grocery trip.  

  1. Fatty Fish

Salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel are full of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These fats help promote heart and brain health while also regulating your blood sugar. Try to avoid fried fish, which contains saturated and trans fats. Instead try baking or grilling your fish.

 2. Beans Kidney beans, pinto beans, and black beans are a great source of plant-based protein jam-packed with iron, potassium, and magnesium. Beans are a complex carbohydrate, so they’re digested slower and therefore help maintain blood sugar levels. You can easily incorporate beans into a variety of meals such as chili or a salad, just make sure there aren’t any unnecessary added salts.

3. Avocados Rich in fiber and unsaturated fats with less than 1 gram of sugar per serving makes avocados the ideal snack for diabetics. Similar to beans, the high-fat content in avocados slows the digestion of carbohydrates, which in turn helps keep blood sugar levels stable. Try adding some avocado as a side to your eggs for breakfast or chopping it up into a salad.

4. Walnuts Walnuts are high in fiber and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), while low in net carbs. Research has shown that eating walnuts may reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower blood sugar levels. Try sprinkling some unsalted raw walnuts onto your oatmeal or salad to get your daily dose of nuts.

 5. Sweet Potatoes If you’re craving something sweet or starchy, sweet potatoes are a great option for diabetics in moderation. Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes, plus they’re rich in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. Japanese sweet potatoes and purple sweet potatoes are the best options for diabetics, and remember to boil the potatoes to get the most nutrients.  

Sources: American Diabetes Association. Healthy Food Choices Made Easy. Retrieved from https://www.diabetes.org/nutrition/healthy-food-choices-made-easy Nazario, B. (2018, December 10). Diabetic Food List: Best and Worst Choices. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetic-food-list-best- worst-foods Sissons, B. (2019, February 12). 10 best foods for diabetes: What to eat and avoid. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324416 Spritzler, F., & Kelly, E. (2020, September 21). The 16 Best Foods to Control Diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/16-best- foods-for-diabetics Ware, M. (2019, April 18). 10 diabetes superfoods: Walnuts, avocado, Ezekiel bread, and more. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317112  Whelan, C. (2019, July 1). Are Sweet Potatoes a Healthy Food Choice If You Have Diabetes? Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/sweet-potato-diabetes