On 5 November 2022, ahead of World Diabetes Day, Psychologist and Health Supportive Specialist, Ms Toluwalase Omitowoju will host an online masterclass on the role of nutrition in preventing diabetes and hypertension. It is a special workshop aimed at prediabetic, diabetic and hypertensive patients. This comprehensive masterclass will show how some of our African cuisines worsen diabetes and hypertension and recommend healthy and nutritious substitutes in a step-by-step cooking class.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood sugar is too high. The most common type of diabetes is Type 2 diabetes which occurs in adults when the body is no longer able to make enough insulin on its own. Type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition that affects 5 to 8% of the population of people with diabetes. In South Africa, 13% of women and 8% of men are living with diabetes while 46% of women and 44% percent of men suffer from hypertension.
According to the World Health Organisation, a healthy and balanced diet protects against chronic non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Type 2 diabetes is more difficult to detect, and the symptoms tend to appear more slowly. Unless a blood test is taken to test the blood glucose level some people may have type 2 Diabetes for up to 10 years without knowing. The International Diabetes foundation findings show that 1 in 2 adults living with diabetes are undiagnosed. And by 2040, it is expected that half a billion people will have diabetes with type 2 diabetes being the most prevalent.
Diabetes damages the small blood vessels in the body resulting in the walls of the blood vessels to stiffen. This increase in pressure leads to high blood pressure. Similar to type 2 diabetes, you can have high blood pressure and not know it. It is why it is called “the silent killer”. Both hypertension and type 2 diabetes are common comorbidities. Research shows that hypertension is twice as frequent in patients with diabetes compared with those who do not have diabetes.
The good news is that with medication, exercise, and the right diet both type 2 diabetes and hypertension can both be prevented and managed.
Ms Omitowoju’s interest in healthy eating began in 2018 when a family member was diagnosed with cancer. She was working as an event planner at the time and had to quit her job to become a full-time caregiver to her sick relative. With help from other family members, she ensured the patient got all the care she needed. Unfortunately, none of the chefs they hired were adequately equipped to prepare healthy meals suitable for cancer patients.
It was during this time that Ms Omitowoju’s research into healthy eating and the role that it plays in preventing and managing diseases began. She spent a lot of her spare time researching and practicing how to cook healthy and nutritious meals until her interest led her to apply for special cooking classes. She enrolled at Reddish Chronicles Culinary School in Lagos, Nigeria where she completed her diploma in Cuisine and Patisserie. She also taught at the school for some time after graduating before moving to the United States. During her time in the US, she was a student at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York and completed a diploma in Health Supportive Culinary Arts.
“I love what I do because it changes lives. It is so rewarding when I hear from my students about how my classes have helped them to improve their quality of life”, says Ms. Omitowoju.
“Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease and by understanding the foods we eat, the ingredients to avoid, we can prevent it and live a longer, healthier life. It shouldn’t only be when disease comes knocking that we take our health and nutrition seriously because prevention is always better than cure.”
Ms Omitowoju inspires her students to make better lifestyle decisions by eating a healthy and balanced diet. She teaches them about healthy and natural condiments as well as how to make healthy and nutritious foods that are affordable and easy to make.
Follow her on Instagram @chef_loola for practical tips.
About The role of Nutrition in Managing and Preventing Diabetes Masterclass:
Programme outline
1. Nutrition Lessons on eating patterns that trigger Hypertension and Diabetes
2. Step-by-step healthy cooking online course with a list of African recipes curated to help manage diabetes and hypertension using:
– MSG and Salt alternatives
– Whole Grains
– High quality protein
– Good fats and oils
– Fruits and vegetables
3. Hypertension and Diabetes recipe book with healthy recipes that promote weight loss
4. 1 week sample meal plan for diabetes and hypertension management
5. Essential Healthy Ingredient Shopping List
6. Live question and answer session with Chef Loola, Level 1 Nutrition Certified Coach, Tracey Abban Nkrumah and Dr Patrick Ijewere. Founder of The Nutrition Hospital & Wellness Center, Ikoyi, Lagos.
To join this online masterclass, DM @chef_loola on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chef_loola/
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