A resounding message of inclusion for the diabetic community is given by the leading Greek gastronomy guide FNL in collaboration with Abbott and the FreeStyle Libre 2 glucose monitoring system with the "Diabetes Dine Out" initiative for the first gastronomy week in Greece dedicated to people with diabetes.
The goal of the initiative is to highlight the value and right of over 1,000,000 Greek citizens who have diabetes, to enjoy delicious and good food.
In particular, selected restaurants in Athens and Thessaloniki created special menus, perfectly compatible with the dietary choices of people with diabetes, with the scientific supervision and instructions of the Clinical Dietitian-Biologist, Haris Dimosthenopoulos.
In this first week, which aspires to become an institution and to attract/inspire restaurants throughout Greece, 9 restaurants participated:
from Athens:
• Botrini's,
• Ziller's,
• Upon,
• Cookoovaya,
• Artisanal,
• the Lost and
from Thessaloniki:
• the Malabar
• the Black Sea and
• Marrone Restaurant.
350 million people worldwide suffer from Diabetes Mellitus
"In recent years, due to lifestyle changes, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity, the number of people with diabetes has increased significantly worldwide. Diabetes Mellitus and its complications are estimated to affect 8.8% of the population in Greece, while 7.6% of the population has pre-diabetes", pointed out Clinical Dietitian-Biologist Mr. Haris Dimosthenopoulos, at an event presenting the initiative. held by Abbott in conjunction with the FNL for members of the press.
"Predisposing factors for the appearance of Type 2 Diabetes are heredity, obesity, and lack of physical exercise. Proper nutrition is the basis of the treatment of diabetes mellitus, both for type 1 and type 2".
To make gastronomy more inclusive for people with diabetes
"It is therefore very important for the person with diabetes to follow a daily diet based on the principles of a generally healthy diet and not as restrictive as in the past. The diet for Diabetes Mellitus no longer has the prohibitions of the past, it is based on fresh and healthy foods, a good diet plan, and the consumption of vegetable fibers, healthy fats, and not many calories. The relationship between diabetes and diet is now well established and the role of proper nutrition - both in terms of quality and quantity - for people with diabetes is crucial and can help prevent the long-term complications associated with Diabetes Mellitus.
There are many factors that can play a role in the regulation of glucose values. Consistency in the basic principles of the diet for diabetes mellitus and avoiding frequent deviations, regular and systematic exercise, regulation of body weight, and regular control of sugar, is a combination of factors that can provide the desired results. People with diabetes are recommended to adopt a healthy lifestyle, enjoying their food, without isolating themselves from society", concluded Mr. Dimosthenopoulos.
The head of Abbott's Diabetes Sector in Greece, Mr. Derkos Kalogridis said: "At Abbott, we strongly believe that people with diabetes should enjoy life and good food! We proudly support this unique initiative of FNL that gives a message of hope and inclusion to the over 1,000,000 people with diabetes in Greece. We are particularly pleased that in recent months the FreeStyle Libre 2 system, which has changed the way diabetes is managed, has been launched in our country and reimbursed to patients with type 1 diabetes, as it includes real-time low or high glucose alerts time and minute-by-minute measurements that support the patient in making decisions about their diabetes management.'
Roula Skourogianni