Diabetes

Diabetes has been recognised for a very long time - 2000 years ago it was described as 'a melting down of the flesh and limbs into urine.' We now know it's not as drastic as that, but it is serious and it is on the increase. There are two types - Type 1, which is most common in children (who require injections of insulin), and Type 2, which affects over 1 million adults in the UK.

Type 2 diabetes is very closely related to poor diet and is likely to occur in people who consume too much sugar and too many saturated fats. As with so many other preventable diseases (such as heart problems and cancer) a diet rich in fruit, veg and fish is so much better for you and will make you feel and look much better, too. Okay, so how do you make something healthy and tasty?

Why not try my recipe for Bean and Vegetable Chilli? It'll feed a family of four and will provide you with a range of vitamins and minerals, as well as that all-important fibre.

Ingredients:

3 tbsp olive oil
2 onions
2 cloves garlic
2 tsp mild chilli powder
2 tbsp fresh chopped coriander
2 sticks of celery (chopped)
2 red peppers (chopped)
300ml yeast-free stock (kallo brand)
400g tin of chickpeas
400g tin of black eyes peas
400g tin of chopped tomatoes
pepper to taste

Fry the onions in olive oil until golden brown then add the garlic, chilli powder, pepper and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the peppers and celery and fry for a further 2 minutes. Next add the stock, chickpeas, tomatoes and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Season again with pepper and sprinkle with fresh coriander. Serve with boiled rice.

Diabetes has been recognised for a very long time - 2000 years ago it was described as ‘a melting down of the flesh and limbs into urine.’ We now know it's not as drastic as that, but it is serious and it is on the increase.

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