Re: Diabetes & cging

**A*@aol.com**

Laura,

1) I never heard of a garden program for diabetics - I have noticed that our 
diabetic gardeners are more careful about their feet than most -  they never 
go barefoot in the garden.  Never really noticed otherwise,  except during 
garden potlucks when I occasiaonally hear, "Sorry, can't eat that. I'm a 
diabetic." I do know that most are really into growing vegetables and having 
a varied diet - a heightened health consciousness.  It's the same care that I 
note with HIV positive gardeners ( who also are a little more careful with 
garden tools and sometimes wear garden or latex gloves when dealing with soil 
or manures - maybe the immunosupression? )  Most seem to treat their diabetes 
as another affliction, like lower back pain. 

An interesting quote from a University of Minnesota piece on their master 
gardener's program: 

"In addition to the stress relief, Master Gardener training can have an 
effect on the health of both the participant and the people he or she 
teaches. A diabetic who took the Master Gardener class improved his diabetes 
by growing and eating fresh vegetables. He became an example in his community 
and teaches others about the benefits of fresh vegetables." 

http://www.extension.umn.edu/mnimpacts/impact.asp?projectID=2894

2) A New Mexico gardening television show, "Southwest Yard and Garden, " with 
a segment on "Growing a garden beneficial to a diabetic diet, with Karen 
Halderson" 

You can order this episode *03/24/01) through this link: 

http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/ces/yard/order_vol1.html

3) An article on gardening from an e-zine called "Diabetic Lifestyle":

http://www.diabetic-lifestyle.com/articles/apr03_burni_1.htm

You might have already known about stevia, a low calorie sweetener you can 
grow in your garden, that is OK for diabetics to use: 

http://www.nwgardening.com/stevia.html

<< ubj:  [cg] Diabetes & cging
 Date:  4/3/03 2:17:13 PM Eastern Standard Time
 From:  laura@foodshare.net (Laura Berman)
 Sender:    community_garden-admin@mallorn.com
 To:    community_garden@mallorn.com (ACGA listserve)

 Hi Folks,
  is anyone involved in a garden program for people with diabetes? If you
 are, I need to talk to you and find out all you know ;-) Also I'm happy to
 be pointed to resources if you know of any on this topic.
 Thanks,
 Laura

 ---------------
 Laura Berman
 Community Agriculture Coordinator
 FoodShare Toronto

  >>

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