6/5/08
Diabetes education comes to Clarendon community
By Chris Bullard

CHRIS BULLARD/Manning Times

Jennifer Mosher (right), dietary department director at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, stands with dietetic intern Caroline DuRant, outside of the Cypress Room Café where lunch will be available following a educational session and discussion on diabetes.

On Saturday, June 7, Clarendon Memorial Hospital will host “Sugar Solutions,” an educational session and discussion on diabetes and controlling sugar levels.

The class, held from 10 a.m. to noon in the in-service classroom at the hospital, will be taught by CMH Dietary Department Director Jennifer Mosher, a registered dietician.

According to information produced by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control in 2002, an estimated 10.4 percent of adults in Clarendon County suffer annually from diabetes and it is the sixth leading cause of death here.

Sugar Solutions is part of CMH’s 2008 monthly educational meetings, fitting in with the theme of “Nutrition and You,” an expression meaning that each person attending will learn something about nutrition and how to apply the knowledge to their specific needs.

One of Mosher’s main points in the upcoming class will be creating a diabetic meal place she refers to as the “exchange meal plan.”

“If you really want to treat yourself to one of your favorite foods occasionally, but you know that it’s something you shouldn’t eat everyday, how can you work that in or what can you exchange it for?” said Mosher.

According to Mosher, the diabetic meal plan is the best example for eating healthy because in addition to knowing what one should eat, he or she learns how much and when to eat.

“People already know what they shouldn’t eat, but what I do is give them solutions and guidelines on what they can eat guilt-free and enjoy,” said Mosher.

Handouts, booklets, recipes and menu ideas will be provided during the class and Mosher is willing to work out a meal plan with those in attendance.

“What is great about this class is that in addition to controlling blood sugar if you follow the ideas that I provide on eating healthy in this class you will also have success with controlling blood pressure, blood cholesterol and help prevent other possible illnesses,” said Mosher.

Working with Mosher is dietetic intern, Caroline DuRant. Both Mosher and DuRant agree that although the class is geared towards diabetics, it is important to the community and that all can benefit from the knowledge of a proper meal plan.

“I don’t have any doubt about being in the right profession,” said Mosher. “I love to grocery shop, cook and I love to eat so I know first hand how to make eating enjoyable and still be and feel healthy. It’s my job to simplify all the information out there.”

Sugar Solutions is free and open to the public. The class will also be held on August 7 and October 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about Sugar Solutions contact Jennifer Mosher at 435-3176 or jmosher@clarendonhealth.com.