Words and photos by Filippo Ceccanibbi
From Monday 1st April 2019 to Sunday 7th April 2019 the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) is holding their National Diabetes Prevention Week. The aim of the programme is to raise awareness of this increasingly common disease that prematurely kills around 22,000 people in the UK, according to the NHS.
The ‘Healthier You’ diabetes prevention project can be found in 19 locations across UK. Hannah Wright, 28, volunteers for the project and operates in the location for Islington, Camden, Haringey at the Islington Central Medical Centre. She has been volunteering for the project for the second year, educating people in the borough about how to prevent Type 2 diabetes.
Giovanna Shelley, 71, who is retired, found he was suffering from diabetes Type 2 a few months ago. “After some warnings signs, which I ignored, I had a candida infection and discovered my blood sugar was nearly 500,” she recalls.
“I was sent to Accident & Emergency section at the Hospital and got told I was suffering from diabetes Type 2”.
Shelley’s life has significantly changed since the diagnosis, as she needs to take a long-acting insulin three times a day, and Basal insulin injections once a day.
“I need to take six units before breakfast, seven before lunch and six before dinner. I also need to take Basal injection of 14 units before going to bed. I lost 12 kilos and a bit of my sight. I can no longer eat whatever I want. I need to follow a healthy diet based of small amount of carbohydrates, salmon, tuna, vegetables and only certain type of fruit. I can eat meat just twice a week.”
Volunteer Wright said that taking care of yourself is the best prevention – and also the best cure.
“I obviously say people they should stop smoking, drinking great amounts of alcohol, eat takeaways and fast food, and start exercising regularly. A healthy diet and good exercise is the perfect start to prevent the disease. ”
She adds that people shouldn’t eat more than 30 grammes of sugar a day. “That sounds like a lot, but almost everything contains sugar also carbohydrates (such as pasta and potatoes), fruit and drinks.”
As the key to preventing as well as controlling the disease is a healthy diet, it’s recommended to cook fresh food at home. So here are some healthy restaurants in Holloway Road that can offer you a healthy and tasty meal:
Pho House is a Vietnamese restaurant located next to Highbury & Islington station and Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court. It offers a lot of healthy choices such as salads, rice and noodle dishes, fish and meat entrees. The location is really colourful. Address: 39 Holloway Rd, London N7 8JP
- Ez & Moss
Enjoy a great selection of vegetarian and vegan food. You can choose some delicious avocado, quinoa, soups and legumes. The right place for those who want to be healthy and environmental friendly too. Address: 183 Holloway Rd, Lower Holloway, London N7 8LX
Located just opposite London Metropolitan University, this cozy little restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine, which is known to be one of the healthiest and most balanced in the world. You can enjoy some Spanish tortilla, pasta, roast chicken or eggs. Worth checking out. Address: 235 Holloway Rd, London N7 8HG
Thanks for the information on Diabetes, how to eat healthy.