Harrow GP and dietician open new chapter in diabetes care
A local GP and community dietician have written a book they hope will empower Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities (BAME) to minimise or manage the impact of diabetes by being more aware of the carbohydrates in their food and adapting their eating habits.
BAME communities are up to six times more likely to develop Type Two diabetes and Carbs and Cals World Foods by Harrow GP Dr Joan St John and local dietician Salma Mehar provides a unique picture-led guide.
More than 76,000 people live with Type Two diabetes across Brent, Harrow and Ealing and the figure continues to grow.
It collectively accounts for more than 50% of the 120,000 people affected by this condition across the eight boroughs of North West London.
Salma, who is based at Central Middlesex Hospital, said: “People lose interest if you throw a lot of meaningless figures at them so we visually show plates of food with portion sizes.
“These images sit alongside simple infographics showing the amount of carbohydrates, calories and fat in each portion and the effect on someone’s blood glucose levels.
“This is the first comprehensive dietary guide for these communities that both understand the type of food they eat as well as their social eating patterns.”
The book, which has already sold several thousand copies, has been sponsored by the North West Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups
It includes 750 photos of food and drinks regularly eaten by African, Arabic, Caribbean and South Asian communities.
GP Dr Joan St John said: “The goal is to empower people with or at risk of developing diabetes to manage their condition and realise that with the right information, their blood glucose levels can be greatly improved through diet.”
Carbs & Cals World Foods: a visual guide to African, Arabic, Caribbean and South Asian foods for diabetes and weight management by Slama Mehar, Dr Joan St John, Chris Cheyette and Yello Balolia is available on Amazon.